good question. 12v power for charging batteries to power my laptop and lights in my tent. x
How to plan a solar system
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Okay. What you have are 6 panels. They are, nominally 12V panels that, in reality run a bit higher on Voltage. They have MC4 leads on them In order to make them work, you will need a bunch of MC4 leads, a charge controller & one or more 12V batteries. I suggest Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Do you want me to suggest wiring arrangements etc.?
yes please. tell me are the mc4 leads universal? and what is a good charge controler to get . thanks xxx
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Mc4 extension leads are pretty much universal but you can make your own too. MC4 is just a universal plug on a wire.
If we read your plate your panels are putting out about 6A. There is some advantage in keeping everything 12V. If you wire the panels in parallel, the Voltage stays the same, but you add 6A extra for each panel. If you use standard 6mm cables you are limited to 30A so a 5 panels.
To wire 5 panels in parallel you need one of these adapters
Pair of MC4 Type Solar Branch Connectors (5 to 1)
These (5-1) MC4 type solar branch connectors can be used for safe and easy assembly (parallel or parallel-serial) of PV modules.
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk
You will probably need some 6mm2 extension cables to connect pannels to the 5 to 1 plug
Renogy make decent charge controllers. Something like this
You would then need a few leads to connect the combiner plug to the charge controller (Mc4 to bare wire) and the charge controller to the batteries (bare wire to crimped battery lug). It's best to tin the wires with a soldering iron.
Thankyou. My brain is spannered with all that. Can I ask a question at a time please and write it downMc4 extension leads are pretty much universal but you can make your own too. MC4 is just a universal plug on a wire.
If we read your plate your panels are putting out about 6A. There is some advantage in keeping everything 12V. If you wire the panels in parallel, the Voltage stays the same, but you add 6A extra for each panel. If you use standard 6mm cables you are limited to 30A so a 5 panels.
To wire 5 panels in parallel you need one of these adapters
Pair of MC4 Type Solar Branch Connectors (5 to 1)
These (5-1) MC4 type solar branch connectors can be used for safe and easy assembly (parallel or parallel-serial) of PV modules.www.sunshinesolar.co.uk
You will probably need some 6mm2 extension cables to connect pannels to the 5 to 1 plug
Renogy make decent charge controllers. Something like this
You would then need a few leads to connect the combiner plug to the charge controller (Mc4 to bare wire) and the charge controller to the batteries (bare wire to crimped battery lug). It's best to tin the wires with a soldering iron.
1. Each panel is 6 amps at 12v and if i go above 30 amps then I need thicker wires? have I understood that bit right? thanks x
Quite right IF you wire the panels in parallel. You could wire in series which would increase the voltage rather than the current but with 12V panels I wouldn't
I have decided to do two set ups. a four panel and a two panel on my van. Tell me is this what I want for the four panel set up please? x
Sudoo Solar Branch T 4 to 1 Connectors Splitter, Parallel PV Panel Pair | eBay
Don't put your safety at risk with subpar products. Temperature range of -40°C to +85°C for use in harsh weather conditions.
www.ebay.co.uk
no you are right and i think i will just use 4 panels and keep the other two for the van for now. i found some 4 to 1 connecters and posted link below, are these what i want? ps thank you for helping me x
Sudoo Solar Branch T 4 to 1 Connectors Splitter, Parallel PV Panel Pair | eBay
Don't put your safety at risk with subpar products. Temperature range of -40°C to +85°C for use in harsh weather conditions.
www.ebay.co.uk
Spot onI have decided to do two set ups. a four panel and a two panel on my van. Tell me is this what I want for the four panel set up please? x
Sudoo Solar Branch T 4 to 1 Connectors Splitter, Parallel PV Panel Pair | eBay
Don't put your safety at risk with subpar products. Temperature range of -40°C to +85°C for use in harsh weather conditions.www.ebay.co.uk
I found this controller https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124898733875
and this one
Victron Energy LCD USB 10A/20A/30A 12V/24V Solar Panel Battery Charge Controller | eBay
(Victron Energy. Solar Panels & Kits. Energy Monitoring. 1) For 12V use 36 cell solar panels, For 24V use 72 cell solar panel or 2x 36 cell in series. 1) For 12V use 36 cell solar panels, For 24V use 72 cell solar panels or 2x 36 cell in series.
www.ebay.co.uk
ah ok. so I have got my 4 in 1 connectors boxed off and now I am onto the controller. I have looked up two 30 amp models and sent links asking you what you think. sorry i should have explained. x
The great advantage of sticking to 12V & wiring in parallel is that you can use the cheaper PWM controllers like these. Personally I would like to Victron models but the Bateria model I have has been good too. They do PWM 12V 30A controllers for a decent price ready wired for MC4 so you can plug your adapters straight im
Bateria Power 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller
Feature Plug & Play: Anderson connector quickly connects or disconnects, plug and play, convenient and practical. No additional installation is required, making usage simple. The portable 30A PWM controller can be adapted to all your portable solar panels and is a wonderful choice for RV travel...
bateriapower.com
i think i wll get that, thank you. all i need now is the single cables that go from the 4 into 1 and continue into the charge controller. what are they please? xThe great advantage of sticking to 12V & wiring in parallel is that you can use the cheaper PWM controllers like these. Personally I would like to Victron models but the Bateria model I have has been good too. They do PWM 12V 30A controllers for a decent price ready wired for MC4 so you can plug your adapters straight im
Bateria Power 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller
Feature Plug & Play: Anderson connector quickly connects or disconnects, plug and play, convenient and practical. No additional installation is required, making usage simple. The portable 30A PWM controller can be adapted to all your portable solar panels and is a wonderful choice for RV travel...
The 4 in 1 should plug directly into the MC4 plugs on the charge controller.
You will probably need some MC4 extension leads to extend the leads on the panels to reach the 4 in 1. You will need to lay your panels out & measure the length you need. I would make a waterproof housing for the charge controller & battery but that's super easy.
Your best bet for cables is just to make them to the right length. Bateria sell a kit & it's super easy (I will do a quick video soon)
Bateria Power Solar Panel Extension Wire Kit
Bateria Power Solar Panel Wire-Solar Panel Cable 50FT/100FT/200FT Solar Extension Cable, 10AWG (6mm²) Tinned Copper Wire-fit for RV, Boat, Inverter, etc.
bateriapower.com
They also do the 4 in 1 connections
30A Solar Connectors Y Branch Cable 4 to 1
Solar Y Branch Connectors Extra Long Solar Panel Parallel Connectors 1 to 4 Solar Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit (M/FFFF and F/MMMM). Click on the link to unlock a lot of information.
bateriapower.com
BR i am about to order this. Am I doing right? dont want bluetooth anything xxThe great advantage of sticking to 12V & wiring in parallel is that you can use the cheaper PWM controllers like these. Personally I would like to Victron models but the Bateria model I have has been good too. They do PWM 12V 30A controllers for a decent price ready wired for MC4 so you can plug your adapters straight im
Bateria Power 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller
Feature Plug & Play: Anderson connector quickly connects or disconnects, plug and play, convenient and practical. No additional installation is required, making usage simple. The portable 30A PWM controller can be adapted to all your portable solar panels and is a wonderful choice for RV travel...
Bateria Power 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller
Feature Plug & Play: Anderson connector quickly connects or disconnects, plug and play, convenient and practical. No additional installation is required, making usage simple. The portable 30A PWM controller can be adapted to all your portable solar panels and is a wonderful choice for RV travel...
bateriapower.com
It sounds like the sort of thing you need & you can always send it back!BR i am about to order this. Am I doing right? dont want bluetooth anything xx
Bateria Power 30A 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller
Feature Plug & Play: Anderson connector quickly connects or disconnects, plug and play, convenient and practical. No additional installation is required, making usage simple. The portable 30A PWM controller can be adapted to all your portable solar panels and is a wonderful choice for RV travel...
Thank you. Ref;the 4 into 1 leads. I cant work it out though if you get 2 leads (enough to connect four panels) or just one for £19. I am very nearly there now. xxxYour best bet for cables is just to make them to the right length. Bateria sell a kit & it's super easy (I will do a quick video soon)
Bateria Power Solar Panel Extension Wire Kit
Bateria Power Solar Panel Wire-Solar Panel Cable 50FT/100FT/200FT Solar Extension Cable, 10AWG (6mm²) Tinned Copper Wire-fit for RV, Boat, Inverter, etc.
They also do the 4 in 1 connections
30A Solar Connectors Y Branch Cable 4 to 1
Solar Y Branch Connectors Extra Long Solar Panel Parallel Connectors 1 to 4 Solar Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit (M/FFFF and F/MMMM). Click on the link to unlock a lot of information.
My Australian experience is that you are best to keep your 12V systems separate from your house system. The car based system is a quad of 100Watt panels a controller and two 120AH Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries.
The house system is 3 banks totaling 12.6KVA running through a 240V converter and grid connected, we are saving for a house battery but we need about $16k- for that. We are in a marginal area and need 12.6 to get enough power in winter. In summer we could export 30 to 40 Kv to the grid on a good day if we were allowed but in winter we really need another bank of panels that could be disconnected in summer
Melbourne Victoria if you want to check out the insolation data for this area
The house system is 3 banks totaling 12.6KVA running through a 240V converter and grid connected, we are saving for a house battery but we need about $16k- for that. We are in a marginal area and need 12.6 to get enough power in winter. In summer we could export 30 to 40 Kv to the grid on a good day if we were allowed but in winter we really need another bank of panels that could be disconnected in summer
Melbourne Victoria if you want to check out the insolation data for this area
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