Can you wire up 2 solar panels together we have a 30watt and a 43watt. I need it to charge up a power wheelchair and was told that a 50watt would do the job. As anyone ever done this and if so can you tell me how to do it please. What we would need and also is a 500 invertor suitable for the job. Can you help me please.
wiring solar panels together
- Thread starter ERICA_374227614
- Start date
Hello Erica,
I am not sufficiently familiar with the details of solar panels, but I do know that some form of reverse current protection is advised to prevent a battery from 'driving' the panel, so I am pretty certain that blocking diodes would be necessary to protect each panel.
I think it would be better to contact the manufacturer and seek their advice.
As for the 'inverter' I am not sure what you want it for, perhaps if you could give some more details on what you want to do with it, we might be better able to offer advice.
I am not sufficiently familiar with the details of solar panels, but I do know that some form of reverse current protection is advised to prevent a battery from 'driving' the panel, so I am pretty certain that blocking diodes would be necessary to protect each panel.
I think it would be better to contact the manufacturer and seek their advice.
As for the 'inverter' I am not sure what you want it for, perhaps if you could give some more details on what you want to do with it, we might be better able to offer advice.
Damian
Moderator
Erica, yes you can wire two , or more panels together in Parallel to give the same voltage but higher amperage, or in series to give higher voltage but same amperage.
For yor needs they would be in Parallel, ie, positive from one panel to the positive input on the other and negative to negative, then the output side is wired through a Charge Controller direct to the battery. You MUST use a good charge controller, or you will destroy your battery and possibly cause a very dangerous situation where the battery explodes.
The panels today usually incorporate a blocking diode to prevent the panels discharging the battery overnight, and the controller will have a blocker in it too.
For yor needs they would be in Parallel, ie, positive from one panel to the positive input on the other and negative to negative, then the output side is wired through a Charge Controller direct to the battery. You MUST use a good charge controller, or you will destroy your battery and possibly cause a very dangerous situation where the battery explodes.
The panels today usually incorporate a blocking diode to prevent the panels discharging the battery overnight, and the controller will have a blocker in it too.
Thanks Damian, Thats was good advice you told us, we will certainly use a controller with the panels like you suggested. Sorry for not replying sooner only as you can guess we have been away the past few weeks in our caravan. We are hoping to use the solar panels in May when we go to a meet. Just one more question do we need 2 controllers or will one do for both solar panels?
Damian
Moderator
Erica, just the one controller is adequate, as the wires from the "second" panel simply come down to the controller, and the wires from the controller, which are already attached, go to the battery terminals.
Hope you have had a good time in the van, our first trip this summe ris next week,cant wait!!
Hope you have had a good time in the van, our first trip this summe ris next week,cant wait!!
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