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Solar Hookup help
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Marvin View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Jan 2023
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solar Hookup help
    Posted: 16 Apr 2023 at 12:23am
I will be installing 2 solar panels.  I understand the best way is in series... ok, I get that.   I also heard that when you do that... if you cast a shadow on one panel not only will you loos power from that panel, but the other one as well.  You prevent that by adding a "Diode".   But where and what voltage flow direction?  
Marv

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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2023 at 10:36am
Most newer panels have built in diodes so that you should not really have to deal with that as much.
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Marvin View Drop Down
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2023 at 1:03pm
Thanks.  They are Renogy, so I'll go ahead and install and then test.
Marv

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hank*pod View Drop Down
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Posts: 61 		Post Options Post Options   Quote hank*pod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2023 at 9:37am
If necessary install the diode across the panel terminals so it's reverse biased when the panel is producing electricity. When the panel stops producing electricity the other panel will forward bias the diode and bypass the panel.
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Marvin View Drop Down
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2023 at 9:43am
Thanks Hank.Smile
Marv

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Marvin View Drop Down
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Apr 2023 at 8:22pm
Your right... these panels have it built in.
Marv

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Colt View Drop Down
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Posts: 383 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Colt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2023 at 12:13pm
Each panel is most likely 12V nominal, 17.5 Vmax.  If your wire them in series, you'll get a little more power at the beginning and end of the day, but you should either run a 24V battery bank (with PWM controller) or a MPPT controller to avoid losing that benefit.

It is too easy to avoid shadows to allow that to be a consideration. 
John
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Marvin View Drop Down
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2023 at 1:23pm
Colt,

Thanks for the information.

As to you comment "iIt is too easy to avoid shadows to allow that to be a consideration", obviously you've never camped the Beautiful NW.  Not an option for us... we love our tall forest here in the NW and go to every chance we get.
Marv

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Colt View Drop Down
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Posts: 383 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Colt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2023 at 10:23pm
I guess you'll have to keep moving them into the sun.   
John
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Marvin View Drop Down
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Posts: 45 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Marvin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2023 at 10:47pm
That's too much work to move the trailer... I'll just plug into the trailer a 120 volt light and mount it to the top of the Trailer to light up the Solar panels.  

 Keep smiling... LOL.LOLLOLLOLBig smile
Marv

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