1 Solar panel--2 Seperate batteries
I have a 100 watt solar panel. I want to use this 1 panel to charge 2 separate batteries in different locations. Will a wire splitter with 2 different control boxes work or should I get another pane...
Forum Discussion
Canadian Rainbirds wrote:
With 20 feet between batteries and only one 100 Watt panel and controller I would be tempted to charge the batteries one at a time. Install a battery switch at the output of the controller and run two sets of wires to the batteries. Charge one to say 80% then the other, then back to the first.
Trying to charge both at once would essentially put both your batteries in parallel. 20 feet is a long run for parallel batteries unless they are not providing much current.
OR as others have said one of the special controllers designed to charge two banks. Best, but more expensive.
I have a 250 watt panel and that is basically what I did. I just hooked the solar MPPT controller output to the common(+) side of my battery switch. I can choose Battery 1, Battery 2, or Both. I usually just leave it on "Both" since it seems to work fine that way.
