solar

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 18:53

ThreadID: 77823 Views:2913 Replies:1 FollowUps:2

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Solar Power

This article covers every aspect of solar and its design and installation in RVs (camper trailers, caravans and motor homes). It shows how much power solar panels really produce,

Member - Ron O (VIC)

Hi all l have a 80 watt solar pannel that has a 20amp fuse from the + on pannel to cantroller and 2 10amp fuses from +@- on controller to battery if l wire a second pannel in parallel do l need same fuses on second pannel. thanks to all

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Reply By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:00

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:00

Hello Ron O,

your solar panels don't need fuses, so don't worry about putting fuses on your second panel.
The only place where you need to put a fuse is on the battery positive.
If you're expecting the sum of all your load currents to be less than 20A, a 20A fuse will have you covered. If you think your load currents will exceed this amount, you'll also have to take a closer look at your wire size to avoid too much of a voltage drop and wire heating.

Best regards, Peter

AnswerID: 413477

Follow Up By: Member - Ron O (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:13

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:13

Peter from controller to solar pannel l will have 6mmsq wire about 6m long with anderson plugs will this set up be ok Ron

FollowupID: 683570

Follow Up By: Battery Value Pty Ltd - Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:27

Sunday, Apr 18, 2010 at 20:27

Yes, no worries Ron O, 6mmsq offers heaps of current leeway for your app.
Unless your solar controller is MPPT, a slight voltage drop won't make any difference in your usable solar amps from the panels because your panels act like a current source which effectively negotiates smalll voltage drops in the wiring.
And even in case of an a MPPT, a small voltage drop of around 0.1V would only account for 5% or so loss in available amps.

Best regards, Peter

FollowupID: 683573