question

@Lou Cetrangelo

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mppt.victronenergy.com/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi4_rKXh93tAhUTWsAKHWpYBb4QFjABegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw3URawTb2ULNXeRD76LjZYp

No need to guess or argue. Go the mppt calculator and use it to see.

There is a sheet to work it out if you prefer on your computer

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/software/VE-MPPT-Calc-2_4.xlsx&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwi4_rKXh93tAhUTWsAKHWpYBb4QFjACegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw2sgdM95-9oiMxpHeOp4tce

14.4volt bank charging at 50amps (the rated output of the charger) is 720W, sometimes more if the panels are cooler than 25° but it will waste anything above that as it is limited to the 50amp charging output.

That being said you can over panel slightly. There is about a 30% oversize allowed on the input except the 100v VOC input from the panels, never go over that.

I must not be understanding something. If you have a solar charger putting out 14.4 volts and at its maximum current of 50 amps wouldn't you have 14.4 X 50 = 720 watts?

No worries. I installed the spread sheet version of the calculator and set up a custom solar panel for my Zamp 170 watt panels. I was originally thinking of going to 6 panels and set them up as three sets of two in series and then connect them up in parellel. That would be within the max input current and voltage of my controller (smartsolar 100/50), However it would greatly exceed the max output currant of almost 90 amps by about 80%. The other point is that I have 5 m of 4 awg cable going to my controller with 4 panels in parallel. It is optomized for shading if my RV is parked partially under some trees.

What I plan to do is to install a 5th 170 watt panel in parellel on my current controller. This may be the most cost effective solution. I would be just over 30% over my max current. I will monitor it but I doubt I would every hit 50 amps in real world conditions. My panels are all flat on the roof. I have the ability to Tilt them but unless we were in one place for a long time with out shore power it would not be worth the effort. So they are not at top effecency

I may in the future add a 6th panel which would max out the area on my roof for solar panels. If I do I would also change the controller out to a SmartSolar 150/85 and probably add a 4th Battleborn battery but this would be a large expense.

Thank you for your help

Lou Cetrangelo