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 Post subject: Linking solar panels.
PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 2:59 am 
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Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:44 pm
Posts: 14
Location: Sale, Vic.,Australia
I've got a couple of 12v solar panels that I want to use to maintain the charge in a 24v system. Can anyone advise if it is simply a matter of linking these two panels (pos/neg/pos/neg) to create a 24v charge? I will be using a 24v solar panel controller to regulate the charge.


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PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 1:54 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:06 am
Posts: 267
Location: BC coast
Given that a "12V" panel can put out 20V before it gets to the controller, I think you'd be fine as far as the downstream panel's ability to handle the additional voltage from the first panel.
That said, what does your controller have for inputs ?
I assume it's rated for the combined wattage ?
Are they isolated for multiple panels or just a + and - ?

I'm interested in the answer to that one too.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:35 pm 
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Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:42 pm
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Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Building Gentry.
Spot on first time, Simply put them in "series", ie a link wire from +ve of one panel to -ve of the second panel (this link does not connect to anything else) and use the outer +ve and -ve as your feed to the regulator. This adds the voltage of the panels, but the current remains the same. Obviously you need a 24 volt regulator.

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PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:10 pm 
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Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2005 12:44 pm
Posts: 14
Location: Sale, Vic.,Australia
Thanks guys! Just needed a bit of security advice! :D Hooked them all up and working perfectly! (And yes have 24v regulator)


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