Is it possible to add switch for an additional solar panel?
I installed 2 - 111 watt MiaSole thin film panels on our MH last year. These are 12v nominal panels that output 19.4v and 5.7a at STC . I bought them a couple of years ago for $0.45/watt. They work great in full sun, the batteries are fully charged part way through the day. But are mounted toward the front of the rig. While on our last trip, this area stayed in the shadows while the back of the MH had at least some sun throughout the day. I would like to add an additional panel or two to the rear of the roof, for when we are parked in the shade at a SP or NP campsite.
The power characteristics of the current panels are difficult to match, but I have finally found ones that are very close. They are Topoint 190w panels with STC rating of 37.2v and 5.24a. At $150 each, locally available, they are a pretty good deal. It will require placing the current panels in series and adding the new panel(s) in parallel with the old.
I have a 30 amp controller and can easily add 1 more of these panels, but I was wondering if I could add 2 more, then place one panel on a switch that I could connect when we are under shaded conditions and need extra power. But disconnect to keep from overloading the CC when in full sun. I know, I know, just buy or you should have bought a 40 amp controller, unfortunately that's not in the budget at this time. At some point in the future a 40 amp CC and 2 extra 6v GC batteries will be. But thats wishful thinking for now though.
So what do you think? I have the room in the combiner box for more wire and maybe a (remote) switch of some sort, but the flexible conduit from the combiner to the CC is filled with 6awg wire, so can't add a separate run. I don't particularly want a carry out panel that size and we are often away from the rig most of the day so I don't want to leave it out. Could a relay of some sort work?
Thanks in advance! I appreciate any and all ideas that you can think of.
Tom
The power characteristics of the current panels are difficult to match, but I have finally found ones that are very close. They are Topoint 190w panels with STC rating of 37.2v and 5.24a. At $150 each, locally available, they are a pretty good deal. It will require placing the current panels in series and adding the new panel(s) in parallel with the old.
I have a 30 amp controller and can easily add 1 more of these panels, but I was wondering if I could add 2 more, then place one panel on a switch that I could connect when we are under shaded conditions and need extra power. But disconnect to keep from overloading the CC when in full sun. I know, I know, just buy or you should have bought a 40 amp controller, unfortunately that's not in the budget at this time. At some point in the future a 40 amp CC and 2 extra 6v GC batteries will be. But thats wishful thinking for now though.
So what do you think? I have the room in the combiner box for more wire and maybe a (remote) switch of some sort, but the flexible conduit from the combiner to the CC is filled with 6awg wire, so can't add a separate run. I don't particularly want a carry out panel that size and we are often away from the rig most of the day so I don't want to leave it out. Could a relay of some sort work?
Thanks in advance! I appreciate any and all ideas that you can think of.
Tom
