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Old 25-06-2016, 14:46   #1
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autumnbreeze27's Avatar

Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cruising Mexico
Boat: 50' Herreshoff Ketch
Posts: 965
Asking for help modifying existing solar array for better performance

I've got 8 100W solar panels, the cheap flexible kind.
Dodger:
2 panels on starboard wired in series
2 panels on port wired in series
They connect under the dodger, and 1 pair of wires runs down to a bus bar that feeds the controller

Bimini:
2 panels on starboard wired in series
2 panels on port wired in series
They connect under the bimini, and 1 pair of wires runs down to a bus bar that feeds the controller

In the baja sun, with the sun almost at 90degrees these days, I still peak at around 30 amps, with an average daily charge of 2800wh.

After googling, reading, etc, I decided on this approach:
Run a second wire down on the dodger and bimini, so I can isolate port and starboard series pairs.
Setup a second 30amp controller, so I have a MPPT 30A on port and a MPPT 60A on starboard. Since the top is not flat, it's kinda rounded, I figure even in full sun with no obstructions, one side will be aimed slightly better at the sun than the other.

I figure the best option would be to run each pair in series to a controller, but I didn't want to fork out the money for 3 20A controllers, since the panels are 5.5amps each I figured 10A controllers would be too close for comfort.

Eventually I see me replacing the cheap flexible panels with better built glass panels, but until that happens I'm trying to get the most I can without spending too much $$$, since I'm out of work.

Any advice?

Thanks!
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