Forum Discussion
KD4UPL
Mar 04, 2016Explorer
It would be difficult to make 5 panels work even if a 30A controller would handle that. (Which it won't).
The amp ratting of an MPPT controller is it's output rating. Multiply that by the battery voltage for an approximation of how many watts you can hook to the input.
The reason 5 panels won't work well is that if you hook all 5 in series the voltage will likely be too high for the controller but you can't evenly divide 5 panels into two strings.
The Blue Sky SB3024iL (a great controller by the way) will only accept 57 volts on the input. This is likely only enough for 1 panel in series. You didn't say what the panel's Voc is but I will guess it's over 30 volts. Whatever the Voc is it will rise in cold weather. Panel rating are given at 25 degrees Celsius. As the panel gets colder the voltage rises.
If you want a large array like 5 195 watt panels (5 x 195/ 12v = 81.25 amps.) I would recommend something like the Outback FM80. It's input voltage range will allow for 3 or possibly 4 panels in series. So, you could do 1,2,3,4, or 6 panels.
The amp ratting of an MPPT controller is it's output rating. Multiply that by the battery voltage for an approximation of how many watts you can hook to the input.
The reason 5 panels won't work well is that if you hook all 5 in series the voltage will likely be too high for the controller but you can't evenly divide 5 panels into two strings.
The Blue Sky SB3024iL (a great controller by the way) will only accept 57 volts on the input. This is likely only enough for 1 panel in series. You didn't say what the panel's Voc is but I will guess it's over 30 volts. Whatever the Voc is it will rise in cold weather. Panel rating are given at 25 degrees Celsius. As the panel gets colder the voltage rises.
If you want a large array like 5 195 watt panels (5 x 195/ 12v = 81.25 amps.) I would recommend something like the Outback FM80. It's input voltage range will allow for 3 or possibly 4 panels in series. So, you could do 1,2,3,4, or 6 panels.
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