Will this charge controller work for me?

[Khyron]

To keep things easier on me I want to buy one of the preconfigured solar kits from AM Solar <a href="http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_201/srps_1002588f.html">HERE</a>. &nbsp;I like their mounts that come with the 3M VHB tape that should make it easy to mount on my uneven fiberglass high top conversion. &nbsp;<br /><br />I want to add a second solar panel to this setup to bring me up to 200 Watts. &nbsp;Maybe I'm understanding this wrong but I'm not sure this Blue Sky SB 2512iX MPPT Charge Controller will be up to the task. &nbsp;Apparently these panels are rated for a maximum output of 18.5 Volts but it looks like the maximum input voltage for the controller is 35 Volts. &nbsp;Is this a problem? &nbsp;Do you add up the voltage when using multiple panels? &nbsp; I swear I've read over all this before but am having trouble finding the pertinent bookmark. &nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[Khyron]

Ok think I found my answer and this charge controller should be fine. &nbsp;Found a post from blars from last year&nbsp;<br /><br />

Solar pannels are usually wired in parallel. Sometimes series connections are used with a mppt charge controller. Which is better when one of the pannels is in partial shade depends on who you ask. If you mix pannels, you need to have the same voltage (parrallel) or current (series).

<br /><br />So that explains it. &nbsp;Wiring these two panels in parallel keeps the voltage at 18.5 VDC max. and current no more then 10.8 amps (5.4 amps per panel). &nbsp; Since this charge controller will accept up to 35 VDC I'm good.<br /><br />Must keep this in mind:<br /><br />

In a series circuit the current stays the same but the voltage is additive. In a parallel circuit the voltage stays the same but the current is additive

<br /><br />Thank you intertubes!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />

 

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

<div style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffffff; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; margin: 8px;">You have to be careful when mixing and combining different panels... The volts or the amps of both panels should be within 10% or you will need separate charge controllers. Example a 15 volt panel and a 26 volt panel should not be mixed as it will drag your larger panel down to 15 volts. I have 810 watts of solar on my trailer &amp; go into quite some detail about everything solar. Currently I'm trying to add some more to run a 500 watt ac on solar, maybe boost it up to 1,400 watts&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />Thanks Jerry<br /><br />http://overthetopcargotrailer.blogspot.com/</div>