Solar Panels

With 2 X 80 w panel you will need a regulator and make sure you use 6mm cable all the way to the battery and keep it short. There are plenty of chinese ones on evilbay I use one of these.

Hi Sylvia,

my name is Peter from Battery Value Pty Ltd in Brisbane, how are you?

Having come across quite a few solar regulator setups over the years, let me briefly give you a few pointers:

Solar panels:
can be rated 12V, 24V or higher.
12V panels have 36 visible 'cells', 24V ones have 72 cells (a cell count is useful for telling them apart).

Solar regulator:
can be either 'PWM', 'cheap MPPT', or 'true MPPT'.

PWM is the older technology and relies on a perfect match between panel voltage and battery voltage.
PWM only can make available 80% of rated panel wattage under best conditions.
The only advantage of PWM is that any power loss in the wires comes out of the 20% which aren't available to the battery anyway.

cheap MPPT solar regulators:
Some of these half baked units still rely on a perfect match between panel voltage and battery voltage, and lack other important features like multistage charging algorithm (optimised for simultaneous load e.g. fridge operation), and battery temperature sensor.

true MPPT solar regulators:
the panel voltage can be chosen freely. E.g. it now makes perfect sense to wire your 2x80W panels in series which gives 24V. This configuration reduces the power loss in the wires by 50%.
And most importantly, true MPPT solar regulators can make available almost 100% of panel power to the battery under best conditions.

So here's what to do:

Get a 'true MPPT' solar regulator - guess who sells these best value for money units ;)

Wire the two panels in series and connect them via ordinary auto wire to the solar regulator.
This connection is pluggable for quick disconnect - in case of a true MPPT, there's no need to install an Anderson plug due to the reduced current loading (an Anderson plug would be 10 times overkill in this setup, hence there's nothing to be gained by installing one).
Use 6mm auto wire between the solar regulator and the battery, mount the battery temperature sensor on either battery terminal and you're all set.

If you're technically inclined, you can purchase an optional display/remote control unit which gives you an insight in all sorts of variables concerning the battery and solar panel.

I'm more than happy to answer any questions you might have in this regards.

cheers, Peter

Hi

First of all you mention regulators. Basically these make the voltage from solar panels usually higher than battery into battery charge voltage. When battery is charged they then monitor and trickle charge battery.


As for connection. Check out the solar panels . If they have a regulator built in then connect anderson plug and away you go.

If not then get a regulator "Morningstar SunKeeper 12Volt 12Amp" looks good and mount on panel Wire up Andreson plug way you go

A Fuse near anderson plug would be good