Re: fitting new solar panels

by Plymouthwelshboy Fri Mar 31, 2023 2:45 pm

Update
Job done. New 175w panel. Old panel rotated so now 255w solar panels up top. New victron MPPT controller and both panels bypass sargant system to this controller. A battery master fitted along with victron shunt master. Also managed to install two 115ah lead acid batteries as well. The system is far more efficient than old one so far in this wet windy weather.
Thank you all for your help and advice. Appreciated

by FreelanderUK Fri Mar 31, 2023 2:49 pm

Plymouthwelshboy wrote:Update
Job done. New 175w panel. Old panel rotated so now 255w solar panels up top. New victron MPPT controller and both panels bypass sargant system to this controller. A battery master fitted along with victron shunt master. Also managed to install two 115ah lead acid batteries as well. The system is far more efficient than old one so far in this wet windy weather.
Thank you all for your help and advice. Appreciated

Glad you got sorted out in the end, you can now sit watching the app counting all those extra amps your harvesting hugegrins

by Plymouthwelshboy Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:33 pm

Need an electronics degree to work out what the app says

by Snowwolf Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:06 pm

FreelanderUK wrote:

This is why it is advisable to use MPPT Regulator has they start harvesting power sooner in the morning and later later in the evening than PWM Regulators, MPPT Regulators are Dawn to Dusk which on winter days and overcast days make all the difference , it’s 6.40 now the sun is not up but it light and my MPPT Regulator is already producing between 0.5 and 1 amp. They cost a little more than PWM Regulators but the cost outweighs the performance benifits

Just to add, if you want to get the advantage of early morning and late evening rays you need a 24 volt PV or two 12 volt PV’s in series, the mppt will need 5 volts above your Leisure battery voltage to even start the charging sequence within the Mppt

by FreelanderUK Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:18 pm

Snowwolf wrote:
Just to add, if you want to get the advantage of early morning and late evening rays you need a 24 volt PV or two 12 volt PV’s in series, the mppt will need 5 volts above your Leisure battery voltage to even start the charging sequence within the Mppt

Sorry but I think this is incorrect information, if you check most 12v panels they are rated at between 17 and 21v , it’s the Maximum/Peak Voltage(Vmp): that’s the important bit regarding MPPT regulators and starting to produce earlier and later, my 2 panels add up to just under 80v Maximum/Peak Voltage(Vmp)

by Dbvwt Fri Mar 31, 2023 8:12 pm

Plymouthwelshboy wrote:Update
Job done. New 175w panel. Old panel rotated so now 255w solar panels up top. New victron MPPT controller and both panels bypass sargant system to this controller. A battery master fitted along with victron shunt master. Also managed to install two 115ah lead acid batteries as well. The system is far more efficient than old one so far in this wet windy weather.
Thank you all for your help and advice. Appreciated

Enjoy, great result in the end up!

by Caraman Sat Apr 01, 2023 7:34 am

FreelanderUK wrote:

... you can now sit watching the app counting all those extra amps your harvesting

Of equal importance you will be able to see when your batteries are fully charged as there will be very little charging current. This should be most of the time. My recently acquired clamp meter gives me this capability but it doesn't have the convenience of an App.