solar + batteris
Hi all. I am in proses of installing solar on my FW I planed on installing 2 /150W panels but made mistake when ordering and ordered 2 lots of 2 so have got 4/150W panels, also got 30' of 8AVG cabl...
Forum Discussion
Slownsy wrote:
It seams ther is as manny different opinions as peaple out there.
"Options", not "opinions" :). There are different ways to use what you have. And different scenarios of use.
Normally, people with this type of controller are trying to keep a safety margin, so that panels won't generate more current than controller could handle. It can get too hot, and controller will fail under 30A load. "Probably" with 3 panels you won't exceed the 30A limit, with dust on panels and losses in wires. Or it can get too cold and/or you camp at high altitudes and panel current will spike. Too many "ifs" to my taste. The manual does say "May be safely used with panels up to 60A, however charging current will be reduced to protect charger". A 30 PWM controller with built-in 100% safety margin? Not 20%? Maybe. Can't say. You are one of very few people that bought this controller.
You can't have 4 panels without getting a bigger controller. Again, "normally", people are trying to get a margin here as well, installing a bigger controller and beefier cables than their array requires, with possible extra panels in mind. Adding a 2nd controller and separate parallel set of wires will be a royal pain in the ars.
