How connect 2 solar panels in parallel ?

[rdlrn19]

Hi

I want to connect 2 solar panels in parallel, I know that I need to connect the "positive with positive" and "negative with negative", but my question is about how do I connect them together?

I'm attaching an image to clarify my problem.

Do I need to wire with soldier? or how I connect together?

Thanks in advance

[Mike90250]

Your sketch is pretty close, needs a fuse, maybe.

You can use the correct size wire nuts, inside a weather proof box, or the panels may have MC conncetors, which need MC mates. If you cut a MC connector off a panel wire, you have voided the warrenty.

You can wire the panels together, and then run a 3rd (larger gauge, it's carrying 2x the current) wire to the controller, as you have shown, or possibly you could run both panels wires to the charge controller, if everything reaches that far, and the terminals at the controller accept the wire bundle.

[matrixone]

Mike have a good point there, when you put in parallel the solar panels, have higher AMPS, means you need a better gauge of cables, to compensate the amps and have less loss too.

Thats why you need to think in future upgrades and have a higher gauge of cables from the solar to the solar controller.

[Ric]

r

QUOTE=Mike90250;7771]Your sketch is pretty close, needs a fuse, maybe.

You can use the correct size wire nuts, inside a weather proof box, or the panels may have MC conncetors, which need MC mates. If you cut a MC connector off a panel wire, you have voided the warrenty.

You can wire the panels together, and then run a 3rd (larger gauge, it's carrying 2x the current) wire to the controller, as you have shown, or possibly you could run both panels wires to the charge controller, if everything reaches that far, and the terminals at the controller accept the wire bundle.[/QUOTE]

Thank you Mike this is exactly what I am looking for

[Sunking]

Ric you do realize this post is 8 months old and the OP is long gone right?

[Ric]

Ric you do realize this post is 8 months old and the OP is long gone right?

Thanks mate
What I am doing is building 2 solar panels for use on our caravan and wasn't sure how to connect them together.

[rhjames]

What about the diodes. I just purchased 72 cells to make two 18V panels to be connected in parallel. Two diodes were also supplied. I'm not sure if they're meant to be bypass or blocking.

[Mike90250]

What about the diodes. I just purchased 72 cells to make two 18V panels to be connected in parallel. Two diodes were also supplied. I'm not sure if they're meant to be bypass or blocking.

2 diodes are not enough to be bypass diodes, and "blocking" is so 60's, because all modern charge controllers provide the blocking function. Best ask the seller of the kit, what they are intended for, and maybe you can get a schematic of where they go.

[SpaceOddacy]

so you can wire up solar panels like you do batteries & sub woofers?

[Mike90250]

Wires like the sketch at the beginning of this thread. More than 2 panels, and you need fuses to keep 2 good panels from BBQ a 3rd, when it goes bad. Attention to connections, wire gauge and stuff is needed, it's more critical than speaker wire.

[avante]

Thanks for the advice!

[Netpower]

I can't see the drawing buti found out that I need to post at least1 message to be able to view this.

[alan cohen]

test

Hi

I want to connect 2 solar panels in parallel, I know that I need to connect the "positive with positive" and "negative with negative", but my question is about how do I connect them together?

I'm attaching an image to clarify my problem.

Do I need to wire with soldier? or how I connect together?

Thanks in advance

1,2,3

[RVBADCO]

trying to see diagram

new here and its mandatory i post twice before i can participate, so heres one

[RVBADCO]

individual modules

What about the diodes. I just purchased 72 cells to make two 18V panels to be connected in parallel. Two diodes were also supplied. I'm not sure if they're meant to be bypass or blocking.

where have you found the best place to purcase panels