460 watt solar setup: wire sizes?

The Morningstar MPPT controllers seem to be very good units, especially with the display and laptop interface.

230 watt solar panels are typically rated at around 39 - 44 volts, so should be less than 8 amps. #10 wire is fine for 15 amps of solar, and has a maximum amperage rating of 30 amps. If you have a controller rated for a maximum of about 100 volts input, then you can wire the pair of 24 volt panels in series, and expect the amperage to be less than 8 amps on a bright sunny day. It will come in at up to 88 volts, though under load a typical 24 volt panel will only be about 30 volts each, or 60 volts total. Yet the controller must be rated at the maximum possible voltage, that would happen on a cold day, when the sun is reflected off snow onto the panel, as well as direct sun on the panel.

SunElec.com has both low priced solar panels and controllers for them.

My last question - why take off the 50 watt panel, if it is still working? It can provide another 15 AH daily, even though your new pair of 230 watt panels will also be providing another 120 AH or more.

Solaronsale.com

Fred.

#10 wires should be fine. As for a controller, I like Blue Sky and Morningstar the best for something in that size range.

Hi

Yes 10awg will work fine for a 48volt array
Even if you hook the two 230 watt panels in parallel for a 24 volt array no need to change out the 10awg wire. 460 watts at 24 volts the most you will see is 18 amps if you go in series as I would you will see half that current from the array to the controller.

What MPPT controller are you looking at - there are several good ones on the market - My preference has been the Morningstar line - IMHO they are the best you can get. Oversize the controller you might want another panel in the future.