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frosty avatar image
frosty asked

Solar charger sizing query.

The voc of my 3 x 245w panels is 159v, would I be right in thinking i can connect my panels in parallel and use a 150/70 charge controller? I'm running a 12v system.

Thanks in advance.

charge current limit
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5 Answers
Murray van Graan avatar image
Murray van Graan answered ·

Please clarify, Is it 159Voc per panel or all three in series?

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frosty avatar image
frosty answered ·

159v voc would be all three connected in series.

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Justin Cook avatar image
Justin Cook answered ·

Negative; the 150v input rating is a HARD LIMIT and must not be exceeded under any circumstances. You could, however, wire two in series and keep the third in parallel and -depending on the other specs of your panels- be fine.

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frosty avatar image frosty commented ·

I realise the voltage shouldn't be exceeded, I was under the impression that if I connected all three panels in parallel that I'd be well under the limit and able to use a smaller less expensive controller, the 150/70.

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frosty avatar image frosty frosty commented ·

Have I missed something?

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klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ frosty commented ·

Panasnic hit's?

3 parallel on a 100/50 will be ok for a 12v battery system. You will need string fuses though.

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kevp avatar image kevp commented ·

Justin, Can you explain a little more about 2S 1P config. I did not realise that was possible, it may open up module upgrade for my current MPPT. Are there any drawbacks?

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klim8skeptic avatar image klim8skeptic ♦ kevp commented ·

A diagram from Wiring Unlimited.


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solar-array.jpg (90.2 KiB)
Nickus de Vos avatar image Nickus de Vos kevp commented ·

I would also like to know, from what I heard if you have 3 panels, you should never connect 2P 1S or 2S 1P and that S and P strings should always be equal numbers like 4 panels 2P 2S or 6 panels 3P 2S etc.

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JohnC avatar image
JohnC answered ·

Hi Frosty. Agree that paralleled into 12V batts would be fine.

Just adding that you wouldn't need a 150/ mppt in that case, and I'd actually suggest you consider a 100/50, which would rarely (if ever) clip at the A-limit into typical charge voltages. Might save you some coin..

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frosty avatar image
frosty answered ·

I wondered if that would be the case, appreciate the reply, cheers.

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