Hey everyone! I'm diving into solar power and could use some help here. I have a few components collected for my setup:
- Four 100W eco-worthy solar panels
- A Renogy 40 12V/24V MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- Three 100AH 12V Lithium Batteries
- A Victron battery balancer
- A Victron shunt
My RV (a used 2022 Wolfpup) already has two factory-installed panels, but I can't find any specs for those. I'm looking to connect my new panels to the existing wiring rather than rerouting everything. I plan to replace the MPPT since the original one isn't compatible with lithium batteries.
Here's the rundown of my plan:
- I want to wire two panels in series with the other two panels in series (2S2P).
- My main questions are:
1. Can the MPPT handle four panels in that configuration?
2. Does my wiring plan sound reasonable? I've read that this setup can reduce power loss if some panels get shaded – is that accurate? What are the trade-offs?
3. Is my existing wiring safe, or should I run new lines? While it would add to my workload, it would give me peace of mind.
4. I wish to keep using the onboard charger for the DC components in the RV. Is it safe to bypass the onboard charger for a dedicated lithium setup, or would that cut off DC power?
What potential pitfalls should I look out for? Any advice to ensure my project is successful would be appreciated! Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
You've got a solid setup coming together! Your 40A Renogy MPPT should handle the four panels as long as you keep an eye on the voltage. It seems like you're planning to run in a 2S2P configuration, which is great because it helps mitigate issues if some panels end up shaded. Just remember, if one string is shaded, it can impact the others due to their combined output. But generally, if you keep the specs within the limits, you should be fine.
As for your wiring, the existing setup should work, provided it's adequately rated for the current you're planning to push through. It sounds like you've done your homework, but double-check that it's safe and not overloading anything. If you feel concerned, consider upgrading to larger gauge wire to be on the safe side.
Regarding the onboard charger, it’s usually best to keep that in play to avoid powering issues for your DC components. If the dedicated lithium charger doesn't communicate with your onboard system, you could risk running into problems. It's all about keeping everything balanced and compatible!
Hey! Just to add to what the last responder said, your total setup sounds good, and going for a 2S2P configuration is a smart choice to keep power flowing even with some shading. Just keep in mind that if you parallel two series, ideally, they should be of similar type and age to avoid issues.
Regarding the Renogy MPPT, it should work acceptably for now, but if you find it frustrating, I'd recommend switching to something like Victron down the line when you can. Those tend to integrate nicely with other gear.
Lastly, don’t stress too much about the existing wiring unless you notice something alarming. It’s better to avoid unnecessary changes unless you see an actual problem. Just ensure good connections and consider labeling everything for future reference!
Good to know about the panel matching! I will check on that before finalizing my setup. I'm leaning towards keeping the Renogy for now since I got it cheaper but I'll definitely look out for Victron in the future. Thanks for the reassurance on the wiring!
Thanks for the clarity on the MPPT and wiring! I’ll definitely keep an eye on the voltage levels. It's reassuring that the existing setup should work, but I’ll consider upgrading the wire just to be safe. I agree about keeping the onboard charger to help manage all the components. Cheers!