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  • Adding panels to a system

    Suppose someone bought 40amp chargecontroller and a batterybank and 200Wp panel. Later, lets say over a year or two he wants to add another 200Wp panel cause for example he wants to have more loads DURING peakhours.

    Question: adding new batteries to your batterybank is not recommendable if i understand well. How about adding panels to an existing system few years later?

  • #2
    Adding panels is fine, till you overload your Charge Controller, or exceed the charge amps limit for the batteries.
    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

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    • #3
      So adding a new similar panel have no consequences for the system with older panels. Thanks for your reply

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      • #4
        Originally posted by fivewin View Post
        So adding a new similar panel have no consequences for the system with older panels. Thanks for your reply
        Writing "battery bank" tells us nothing.
        Do you have a 12 VOLT "battery bank"?

        Theoretical max amps ...
        200 Watts PV / 12 Volts = 17 Amps
        200 Watts PV / 24 Volts = 8.3 amps

        If you connect a NEW Solar Panel in parallel to the OLD Solar Panel then
        you should try to match the Exact Model # or at least match the Max Power Point Voltage (Vmp) rating.
        The "amps" of the two PV Panels, connected in parallel, will add together.

        PV Panels do not "wear out" in 3 - 5 years like a Lead Acid Battery
        Last edited by NEOH; 12-01-2017, 10:17 AM.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by NEOH View Post
          .......PV Panels do not "wear out" in 3 - 5 years like a Lead Acid Battery
          thin film cells (unisolar, shingles) are well on their way out in 5 years
          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


          • #6
            Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post

            thin film cells (unisolar, shingles) are well on their way out in 5 years
            Does the OP have Thin Film ( unisolar, shingles ) ?

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            • #7
              Just monocrystalline panels, parallel @ 12volt.
              Ok, if i will add i try to get the same panel
              Thanks Neoh & Mike

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