Forum Discussion

Explorer

Apr 02, 2017

Solar fuseing, confuseing

Were installing a Renogy 400 watt solar system on our fith wheel. We stay on our property about two months in the summer up near Canada in Washington.Anyway this is the kit I bought. Mind you I'm completly new to solar.Renogy 400 Watt Mono Solar Panel 12 Volt Off-Grid W/ MPPT 40A 400W Premium Kit And this is the 2000 watt inverter I bought

Renogy-2000W-2000-Watt-12V-DC-to-120V-AC-Pure-Sine-Wave-Inverter-Charger. And my battery bank is 4 6 volt 120 AH wired in series & parallel.
The kit came with one 30 amp fuse. But I know I should put more fuses in this system but I can't seem to get the same information out there. So I'm wiring the 4 100 watt SP in parallel?? Seems like the best way to go from what I read. If I'm wrong please tell me why. So is wiring the sp in parallel my best choice? and most of all where and what size fuses should I install.
Thanks, Mel

53 Replies

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 02, 2017
Doubtful that a serial or serial/parallel setup is practical but it depends... So your best option is 4 parallel panels in which case there is no MPPT advantage over a PWM CC. But you already have the MPPT CC.

Each panel should have a fuse (15A) in the combiner box. Otherwise a short could cause excessive heating from the other 3 panels.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 02, 2017
you have an mppt controller ? yes ?
if you have full sun for the major part of the day wire panels in series

if your panels are going to get some partial shade, wire in parallel

the 30 amp fuse should be good on the output of the controller between controller and batteries ( a little close, but good )

on the input side , IF you want one, the fuse size varies with the configuration
30-40 for parallel panels, 10 amps for series panels, (series the amps stay low the voltage is high, same amps as one panel but 4 times the volts)
1492
Moderator
Apr 02, 2017
Moved from Forum Technical Support