Adding temp solar panels to permanent set up

RogerFoxTerrier

RogerFoxTerrier

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We have a fixed, flexible panel on our coach house roof, but it only dribbles power to the battery.

What's a good option for adding panels, say when we're just at anchor, in order to boast the power input. How would all the connections hook up?

Hundreds of solar vids on YouTube but none seem to cover this scenario.
 
Well, as long as your PV controller can handle the extra power, you could just run a new fused cable (in parallel) from temporary panel to controller. That’s what I did, anyway.
 
fredrussell said:
Well, as long as your PV controller can handle the extra power, you could just run a new fused cable (in parallel) from temporary panel to controller. That’s what I did, anyway.
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Thanks, but it's how to do that... do I have separater pos and neg cable to a connector on deck somewhere? I don't want to be running wires through the saloon and wiring them in manually to the terminals.
 
RogerFoxTerrier said:
Flexible panels? Any suggestions as there are too many to choose from !
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Yes, just one for me at the moment, can't remember off the top of my head which brand or wattage - I just searched and searched for the biggest I could lay flat, but also store easily down below.

A few bits of string to stop it blowing off the deck are definitely required.
 
KevinV said:
Yep - (waterproof) socket in the anchor locker for me, extra panels on the foredeck
Click to expand...

So, excuse the awful crudeness of this diagram, it would look something like this? (now I see it I guess a fuse or two wouldn't go amiss?)
 

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I have 2 semi flexible 50W panels I use on cloudy days or when wind direction means fixed ones are shaded. They are linked together with cable ties and sit on the awning. Only up in calm weather so string ties down to safety lines are fine. I have an unused fused lighter socket in the cockpit and ran power from that circuit to a decent connector. Panels have a similar connector and I fitted another pair to a cheapo eBay regulator. Just a matter of connecting regulator to power socket and then connect the panels.
 
KevinV said:
I don't know 100% if it's correct, but that's how I have it wired, with suitable fuses to protect the wiring.
Click to expand...

Looks fine once fuses added. I'm pretty certain most PV regulators specify battery first and then panels.

My combined wind/solar regulator is the same.

One point to keep in mind. Your are connecting the temporary panels in parallel and they should roughly match the existing ones. I mean the output Voltage should be similar to improve performance.

e.g. Existing panels peak output at 20V and temporary ones only 16V. Means whole setup will probably run much lower than 20V and lower output from existing panels. I've just picked Voltages at random and haven't looked at difference in Watts.

Panels are often fairly similar so effect not likely to be a big issue in many cases.
 
Most small panels give 19v off load and have anti back load diodes in the panel, so one can just wire them in parallel via a temp connector

Somewhat different for roof top 41v panels but even those can be joined in parallel without an integrator unit
 
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