Vision Plus Master 100w Solar Panel want to add on. (1 Viewer)

[kimndon]

Some 3 years ago I had a Vision plus 100 watt solar panel with management fitted not very well as the guy used house hold mains wiring!!
I have a number of discussion points if you all don't mind?

I, initially, want to add another solar panel which the Vision plus system is set up for with their 'add on' package. However, it appears Vision plus may no longer be in business. I can still obtain a Vision plus 40 watt add on panel but I really wanted to add another 100w of solar.

Will the current wiring take the extra power?

Should I just remove the mains cable and start with proper motor flex - remind me of the size required!!?

Is it possible to add a solar panel of 100w from a different company? Is connecting the two a universal fitting?

Should I just dump the vision plus solar panel and just fit a 200 watt panel in it's place?

The box which controls the solar is good for 250 watts.
I am sorting this now in preparation for a lithium battery in the next couple of years.
Cheers
TIA
Don

 

[Just smiffy]

It sounds like the wiring was a bit of a bodge to begin with so I’d put one single 200w panel on and new wiring straight to your controller…

Craig solar are recommended on here and do some different size panels and also can supply all the wiring/brackets you need to go with the panel so all you got to do is fit it…

 

[RogerIvy]

If your new panel is similar in voltage and amps to the existing panel the existing wiring would be fine if the panels are placed in series.
If you need to place in parallel then you need to know the cable size and do the calls.

 

[autorouter]

If your new panel is similar in voltage and amps to the existing panel the existing wiring would be fine if the panels are placed in series.

It looks like the Vision Plus system has add-on panels in parallel, many of these generic rebranded solar controllers have a very limited voltage limit, and probably wouldn't take even two panels in series. Maybe you have the detailed spec of the panels or the controller, but it seems particularly difficult to find actual numbers, volts and amps, for these items.

I'd be tempted to get new controller, maybe a Victron MPPT 100/20 or 100/30, which has lithium capability, and can take at least two series panels. Then fit another 100W panel. Try both panels with the new controller, and if it's not very efficient put the original panel back on the original controller. Or just get two Victron 75/10 controllers, one for each panel - at least you'd be set up for lithium then.

 

[autorouter]

Should I just remove the mains cable and start with proper motor flex - remind me of the size required!!?

You'll need to weigh up various options, so best to learn how to use a voltage drop calculator yourself. There's various ones online, I find this one is fine:

Voltage Drop Calculator | 12 Volt Planet

Use our Voltage Drop Calculator to select the correct Cable for your campervan, motorhome or boat wiring application. Auto and Marine Electrical Components from 12 Volt Planet - Cable Size Calculator

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

For example, for a 100W panel, the amps at max power (Imp) might be 6A. So for a 2m there-and-back run of 2.5mm² wire that will give a voltage drop of 1.52% for a nominal voltage of 12V.

You should aim to keep the voltage drop below about 3%, and for solar wiring people like to stay nearer 1% to minimise losses. The mains wiring is probably 2.5mm², that's what 's used for mains socket wiring in the UK, and there'll be a reel of that in every electrician's van. If you're going to replace the mains wiring, especially the bit going through the roof, you want to get that right so you don't need to upgrade it in future, so I'd use 6mm² stranded flexible cable. That will be fine for 200W to 300W of panels.

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