I just recently purchased a 2x50 watts portable solar suitcase Renogy which I am very happy with. Being as I drive a Pleasure way and don't have much roof space, I would also like to install another 100 watts on my rooftop which Pleasureway will do for me but I am wondering how the battery works when I place my connections on the battery from my portable unit and also a roof panel feeds into the battery. Just need to fully understand before I get the work done.Thanks,Lynn

You can indeed have two solar controllers on one battery bank. They will add their amps if of similar voltages.Or you can add more solar panels to the same controller if it is "big" enough and get the same added amps.It "depends", so need lots more picky details. If your Stealer (Dealer) will do this, then you can expect to be hosed for bug bucks compared with doing it yourself, which is not all that complicated.So.-- If you are the least bit "handy" save your money, and ask more questions here! :)

Multiple charging sources create no issues. So even with your two solar connections you can also start the van and not worry about the alternator. Then start the generator and no worries on the converter either. Have a portable charger too? Just slap it on top.

BFL13 wrote:You can indeed have two solar controllers on one battery bank. They will add their amps if of similar voltages.Or you can add more solar panels to the same controller if it is "big" enough and get the same added amps.It "depends", so need lots more picky details. If your Stealer (Dealer) will do this, then you can expect to be hosed for bug bucks compared with doing it yourself, which is not all that complicated.So.-- If you are the least bit "handy" save your money, and ask more questions here! :)I am a woman and afraid of electricity and batteries so I don't think I would attempt it myself. They will charge me $800.00 for the install which to me was an OK price. Thanks for your advice though.lynn

BFL13 wrote:You can indeed have two solar controllers on one battery bank. They will add their amps if of similar voltages.Or you can add more solar panels to the same controller if it is "big" enough and get the same added amps.It "depends", so need lots more picky details. If your Stealer (Dealer) will do this, then you can expect to be hosed for bug bucks compared with doing it yourself, which is not all that complicated.So.-- If you are the least bit "handy" save your money, and ask more questions here! :)I just read again your advice, did you mean that I could get another 100 watt panel and use my portable controller? That ai probably could do, just don't want to be on top of roof installing panels.Lynn

$800. Yipes! A 100w panel is less than $200 and a controller for it is about $20.. Some wire maybe $50 if you go crazy.Yes, you can have more of a portable set up and not have to mount any on the roof at great expense. There are limits as to what each size of controller can handle so you might need two at $20each or just one bigger one at $40.Note you can buy a 30 amp PWM controller such as the Solar30 for $35 free shipping if you will wait three weeks snail mail from Hong Kong.It "depends". The main thing is that a regular solar dealer will want about or less than $2/watt for a "12v" panel, while Can Tire and similar places are asking $5/watt. Don't be a sucker!!!(Also DW reminds me from time to time as required, that being a woman is not necessarily a sign of helplessness, unless she is "playing that card" ! :) )

solar from two sources | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

BFL13
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2015
$800 vs $200 may not matter to some. Only the OP will know whether it matters to her.
doughere
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Depending on what sort of places you camp, you might want to consider more portable panels instead of fixed.

We have 120 fixed on roof, but often need the 100 portable as we are parked in shade (this happens quite often as we like wooded spots).

Doug
Escargot
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
BFL13 wrote:

(Also DW reminds me from time to time as required, that being a woman is not necessarily a sign of helplessness, unless she is "playing that card" ! :) )

Not knowing something, not having experience with something, and or being fearful of something, has nothing to do with gender.
jrnymn7
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
If you have room to store more portable, and are happy with a portable set-up, that would be the way to go; both practically speaking, as well as concerning cost.

Or consider a side mount, if feasible, so you can access it without climbing on the roof.

I found a place in Markham, Ontario, that sells poly panels for about $1/watt + $? shipping.

http://2solar.ca/

As for wiring, I'd go with one pwm controller, mounted close to the batteries. Then hook up as many panels as needed, in parallel. Just be sure to allow for the amperage, i.e; total output in amps + at least 20%. So, if you wind up with 200w total, that will give you about 12 amps, so go with at least a 15a controller. But for a few bucks more, the solar30 comes well recommended.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30A-12V-24V-LCD-display-Solar-Charge-Controller-Regulator-Light-and-Timer-DX-/251760210331?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9e13f19b
Lynn0527
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

How many hours to install?

I don't know, I will have to find out. My first question was how much!
vermilye
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
smkettner wrote:
Multiple charging sources create no issues. So even with your two solar connections you can also start the van and not worry about the alternator. Then start the generator and no worries on the converter either. Have a portable charger too? Just slap it on top.
While I agree with Don that two controllers can work together to feed one battery bank, I have had one problem worth mentioning. I have a 95 watt panel (which does not have a disconnect switch) on the roof that feeds a GoPower 30 amp controller. I added a 160 watt portable panel from Solar Blvd that I temporarily connected through the trailer 7 pin connector.

As long as both panels are in the sun they work well together, however if the roof panel is in the shade, it appears that it "fools" the cheap controller on the portable panel. There is enough voltage from the GoPower built in controller feeding the batteries that the portable controller assumes the batteries are full & goes into the float mode, producing far less current than expected.

My solution is to add a connector to the trailer that goes to the input of the GoPower controller, and bypass the portable panel controller. Using that combination works fine even if the roof panel is in the shade.
NinerBikes
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
I'd sell her my 12v 120W portable folding solar panel kit for $180 US FOB Los Angeles. plug and play. Attach clamps to batteries, plug in cords, point at sun, and off you go.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jan 11, 2015
Why not read the question !
She's not trying for price,....she wants to know if it will work good.
And even the price is not out of line for plug and playing a Koycera panel w/ Morningstar, especially for a person that doesn't want to touch it themselves.

Otherwise, yes, a DIY could do a 100w set up for $150.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Jan 11, 2015
Hi,

How many hours to install?
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 11, 2015
I don't see anything wrong with a full service install for close to $800.
Although it should not be that much extra to install a second 100 watt panel, space permitting. Probably that is the all that fits. Do watch that the panel is installed away from shade items like vents and air conditioner. Shade on just half of one cell can entirely stop the power production.