huntindog
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2009
- Messages
- 2,563
Everyone:
Thanks for the help and thoughts. It seems if you have the roof room without interfering with roof maintenance and safety, residential panels might be the way to go.
Still working on a lot of questions. I still have a lack of understanding when it comes to connecting panels in series v. parallel or both, dealing with voltage and amperage. Studying robmcqueen's link regarding connecting panels in series or parallel, the ending result is still the same with the same amount of wattage going into the solar charger, using the example in the link. It seems like parallel would be the best overall so if one panel goes bad or in the shade, the others are still doing their job over series. Besides for wattage, does different panels have different voltage output? I'm assuming you determine the solar charger you need after figuring out your panel setup? I'm trying to understand the numbers relationship on the solar charger with the panels.
With my four 12 volt 105 AH Safari lithium batteries and power usage, I'm thinking any where in the range of 900 to 1000 watts for the panels. Same panels without the thought of adding any, using my Honda generators as a backup as needed. Obviously for running the A/C.
In order to get the full rated power from the panels, they all need to have the same specs. If that is not possible, try to match the specs as close as you can. Another solution to mismatched panels is to use an additional controller.
My coach came with a single 300 watt panel that was over 700.00 to purchase more of. I was able to find some 120 watt panels that would match up pretty close to it when wired in series/parallel. When I decided to expand on that, those panels were discontinued, replaced by mono panels. That changed the specs so they were no longer as good match. So I used another Victron controller for the Mono panels. Multiple Victron controllers will synch with each other and act as one in use.
Do not discount the advantage smaller panels can have in that you can distribute them easier over the entire roof. This helps with shading issues in that some panels will most always be in the sun. The lower price per watt of residential panels will quickly be forgotten if you are stuck somwhere with shading issues. Unless you are sure that will never be a problem for your style of camping.
Do not close the door on future expansion. A lot of people find that solar is addictive.
As you can see, there is no right or wrong on a lot of this stuff. Just what is right or wrong for you.
Last edited: