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Question:

Pls is it ok to connect a 0watt and 20watt solar panel together into a charge controller port?

Pls is it ok to connect a 0watt and 20watt solar panel together into a charge controller port, can i just tie the wires together and run into the controller?? Will damage anything...Thanks guys

Answer:

Homemade okorder /
You should specify the controller ratings first. Otherwise it is not possible to answer your question.
It okorder /
Tobi, generally yes, solar panels are like beer, all the europeans get along fine, you can put two Belgiums in the same room as one German and three Englishman. As long as the panels have roughly the same open circuit voltage, usually around 8 volts, then go for it. If you're not sure about this, or the panels voltage disagrees dramatically, then they can still work through the same charge controller, the only other thing you need is a bypass diode in the junction box on the back of each panel. Most modern panels come with these already installed. They are simply electrical check valves, allowing current flow in one direction but not the other. The reason these matter is when the sun is first coming up, the higher voltage panel can force its power backwards through the lower voltage panel, at least until they both reach a voltage higher than the charge controller is set at. This is not a desirable thing to have happen, the 20 watt panel, if its voltage is higher, can damage the 0 watt panel without these diodes if the 20 watt has a much higher open circuit voltage, or Vmax. Look on the back of the panel for these ratings. The only other concern is maximum current. A charge controller has a maximum current it can handle, they are generally model numbered this way, a Xantrex C-60 for example has a 60 amp rating. Add up the Imax numbers on the back of all your panels, this is the maximum amperage the panel should put out. As long as it is not above 80% of your charger controllers maximum amperage, your good. Take care, Rudydoo

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