Community Forums

DarkSideJeep · 08-05-2024, 09:33 AM

My 2022 Aspire has 2 100-watt solar panels. I am considering an upgrade to 2 400-watt panels. If I am doing the math correctly, the OE Panels put out about 11 amps maximum. If I wire the new panels the same way as the OE panels, I.E. in parallel, the maximum output could be as much as 66 amps. I already know I will need to replace the Solar controller. Will the wires, guessing the wire is 10 gage, from the panels to the solar controller handle that load? If not what if I wire the panels in series? That would reduce the amps down to about 33 amps but raze the voltage to 24. Then how do I protect the 12-volt components in the coach from the 24-volt power from the solar panels? Does the solar controller do that, or do I need an additional component to reduce the 24-volt solar output down to 12-volts?

iluvuk · 08-05-2024, 10:04 AM

A good solar controller will reduce the voltage to the proper charge voltage for your battery profile.
Regarding the current in the wire, you need to know the wire gauge, and run length, to know how much current it can safely handle over what length. There are tables published for this.

SafariBen · 08-05-2024, 10:09 AM

Are you sure the 400w panels are 12V, I didn't know you could find them that big. I'd expect 30-40V at that size, so 60-80V in series, which would be 7-8A which should be fine on 10g. You want a MPPT controller to get close to 500W out of those panels (flat mounted) instead of 8A which would be 100W with a PWM controller. Make sure whatever you get is Li compatible.

DarkSideJeep · 08-05-2024, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBen

Are you sure the 400w panels are 12V, I didn't know you could find them that big. I'd expect 30-40V at that size, so 60-80V in series, which would be 7-8A which should be fine on 10g. You want a MPPT controller to get close to 500W out of those panels (flat mounted) instead of 8A which would be 100W with a PWM controller. Make sure whatever you get is Li compatible.

You are correct the panels are 24V panels. The listing on Amazon is a bit confusing.

https://www.amazon.com/JJN-400-Bifac...1zcF9hdGY&th=1

I still have questions.

If I wire two of these in Parallel the output in Watts will be 2 x 400 = 800. Correct?
What happens if I connect these in series for 48 volts? Do, I still get 800 Watts? Does voltage affect the wattage output?

SafariBen · 08-05-2024, 04:19 PM

Yes, they'll be 400w either way, but expect closer to 200-300w if they're mounted flat. They will be the same wattage hooked parallel or series, 800w nominal. The voltage will be converted efficiently by a MPPT controller, a PWM controller will NOT convert amps so will not be suitable for these panels hooked to 12V either series or parallel.

I would prefer locally bought commercial panels, either surplus or used 300w for $100 seems like a common panel.

Pwdr Extreme · 08-06-2024, 01:05 PM

Watts are always watts. They don’t change for any reason regardless of voltage, AC or DC. Amperage is a calculation of Watts divided by Volts.

Your best bet would be to wire the new panels in series to get the most available voltage, which will reduce the amount of amperage the wires need to carry, thus reducing the size of the wire necessary.

You then need a good MPPT solar controller, they can handle the high voltage and reduce it down to the proper 14volts (roughly) needed to charge 12volt batteries.

Just replacing your old controller with a new MPPT controller and rewiring your current panels for series instead of parallel will result in a pretty substantial increase in charge amperage. Probably around 25% or so.

philnail · 08-13-2024, 06:20 PM

Best place to buy solar is from santan solar energy n Gilbert Arizona. They ship. I added (10) 405 watt panels plus (1) 450 watt panel for a total of 4500 watts of solar. The best controllers are Victron.

Ours is a 2013 Anthem

PeterFTH · 08-13-2024, 09:24 PM

You can also get a single 400 watt panel - don't let the roof get too cluttered. I have 3 panels in series totaling 850 watts which under ideal conditions put out about 55 amps, handled by an MPPT 60 amp controller. Wired in series raises the voltage and the controller likes that, but you will suffer some loss in partial shade that say covers one panel. In shade parallel is superior in efficiency, but I prefer to be optimistic LOL.

Pwdr Extreme · 08-13-2024, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philnail

Best place to buy solar is from santan solar energy n Gilbert Arizona. They ship. I added (10) 405 watt panels plus (1) 450 watt panel for a total of 4500 watts of solar. The best controllers are Victron.

Ours is a 2013 Anthem

4,500watts??!! Wow! Your roof must be totally covered in panels!

I'd love to hear more about your setup, what are you using for batteries, Inverters, how many amps are you charging from the panels?

philnail · 08-15-2024, 07:03 AM

The complete roof front to back is covered. I put accuators on to raise and lower the panels from inside the coach in the winter. The panels sit 3 inches above the AC units which protects the roof which also keeps direct sunlight off the AC units.

I used Canadian solar bi-facial panels which charges from both sides when tilted. Victron controllers, (2) victron multi-plus 2 inverters in parallel, victron Cerbo and 1000 amp shunt. All wir d through victron linx distributors. Batteries and LifeBlu 300 amp hour and there are (6) for a total of 1800 amp hours. There is a 1/4 x 1 1/2 inch copper buss bar that connects both positive and negative batteries together and are bolted together with silica-bronze bolts.

In the fast is the 7 inch monitor which allows me to control the complete system.

I would be happy to send you some pictures if you want to send me a private message with your email address

Enjoy your day