Hey all. I'm just starting to get into the hobby.
I received a few freebie solar panels from work, some silly amorphous stuff. The open circuit voltages for 2 different panels being up near 60 and 78 volts, and they put out a little less than an amp each. I would like to connect these 2 panels (and a couple others I'm going to make, from thin film metal cells I recieved)... End goal is to charge one massive 12v battery (maybe 100 Ah), to power an ATV winch every once in a while.
I feel like I want to use an MPPT controller to get the most out of my screwed up panel arrangement. The Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT controller is rated at 75 volts open circuit, but one of my panels is 78 volts open circuit. Is there any allowable tolerance in these controllers? I really want to just buy this MPPT controller and be done with it, what are the realistic chances of "frying" the controller with 3 extra volts? I'm likely not pushing very many amps... maybe 4-5 amps total from my array when finally complete (sunsaver rated at 15A).
Best Regards,
Jason
Mechanical Engineer
I received a few freebie solar panels from work, some silly amorphous stuff. The open circuit voltages for 2 different panels being up near 60 and 78 volts, and they put out a little less than an amp each. I would like to connect these 2 panels (and a couple others I'm going to make, from thin film metal cells I recieved)... End goal is to charge one massive 12v battery (maybe 100 Ah), to power an ATV winch every once in a while.
I feel like I want to use an MPPT controller to get the most out of my screwed up panel arrangement. The Morningstar Sunsaver MPPT controller is rated at 75 volts open circuit, but one of my panels is 78 volts open circuit. Is there any allowable tolerance in these controllers? I really want to just buy this MPPT controller and be done with it, what are the realistic chances of "frying" the controller with 3 extra volts? I'm likely not pushing very many amps... maybe 4-5 amps total from my array when finally complete (sunsaver rated at 15A).
Best Regards,
Jason
Mechanical Engineer
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