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  • Different voltage panels

    Hello all, before you answer please read.

    Ive done research and I know the putting panels with different voltages together isnt advised. BUT every time I find an exemple, with with really big differences.

    I have 5x 48w panels = 3.02A 15.9V rated ( 3.35a 19.8V max)
    but 1x 100w panel = 5.9A 17V rated ( 6.5a 21.6V max)

    I run a 12v system ( 12v Charge Ctrl ) so i got them all In parallel


    Questions;

    1 - Its not 18v with 36v OR 12 with 24v ( double the V diff ). We re talking about 1.1V. In my case, Is it as bad as everybody says on the internet ??

    2 - The real reason of my post is that I am thinking about buying an other Panel to the lot; 1x 90w 5.17A 17.4V rated ( 5.58a 22.58v max)
    --- which would make a 1.5V difference with my 5x 15.9V. I am scared its going to draw down the New 17.4 making it see too many Amps and
    wearing it down faster

    3 - I feel limited to that one panel because all others are around 18v rated making 2.1v higher, which scares me. Should I worry ?

    4 - am I wrong to think that the charge control being PWM so my understanding was that it limited the panels to what was needed thus making okay to
    mix my voltage a bit???

    Thank you all for your help!!
    Last edited by KhellQc; 12-13-2018, 05:03 PM. Reason: voltage parallel panel

  • #2
    15.9V, after it passes through a charge controller, is not going to be able to fully charge a battery. Only if your loads are very light, will this work for more than a couple weeks
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
      15.9V, after it passes through a charge controller, is not going to be able to fully charge a battery. Only if your loads are very light, will this work for more than a couple weeks
      --
      Loads are light and has been running the system for months now. Its meant to charge cellphones and run laptop with the battery off. With full sun batteried are charged within 2 hours. But panels are facing SE and want to add one SW.

      Thanks for your concerns but still doesnt help me with my confusion regarding parallel panels with SLIGHTLY different voltages.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by KhellQc View Post
        ....Thanks for your concerns but still doesnt help me with my confusion regarding parallel panels with SLIGHTLY different voltages.
        The slight differences in voltage will not be an issue. The voltage you will actually see under loading, will be the voltage of the lowest panels. 15.9V
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment

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