One solar panel, two charge controllers, separate batteries

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  • hammick
    Solar Fanatic
    • Jul 2015
    • 368

    #1

    One solar panel, two charge controllers, separate batteries

    I think I know the answer to my question but want to make sure I'm not missing something. I want to hook two 30a charge controllers to one 100w solar panel:

    The panel's VOC and VMP is below the max of each charge controller. Once controller is the WindyNation 30a and the other is a Go Power 30a.

    Assuming both of these CCs have blocking diodes, won't the hungriest battery get charged first, go to float and then the other CC will get more power?

    I don't want to install more than one panel on the wall of my garage (my main array for my 48v system will be pole mounted.

    This panel will be mounted on a south facing wall for winter battery maintenance.

    Thanks for any advice.
    Conext XW5548
    Conext MPPT60-150
  • SunEagle
    Super Moderator
    • Oct 2012
    • 15161

    #2
    Originally posted by hammick
    I think I know the answer to my question but want to make sure I'm not missing something. I want to hook two 30a charge controllers to one 100w solar panel:

    The panel's VOC and VMP is below the max of each charge controller. Once controller is the WindyNation 30a and the other is a Go Power 30a.

    Assuming both of these CCs have blocking diodes, won't the hungriest battery get charged first, go to float and then the other CC will get more power?

    I don't want to install more than one panel on the wall of my garage (my main array for my 48v system will be pole mounted.

    This panel will be mounted on a south facing wall for winter battery maintenance.

    Thanks for any advice.
    I see at least two issues with that plan.

    First issue is that 100watt panel will generate at most 5.5 amps which may not be enough to properly charge even one of your batteries.

    The second issue is that unless you can turn off one of the controllers and charge one battery at a time both chargers will be competing for whatever the panel is putting out so you will split the charging amps (which is not much to begin with) and probably not charge or even maintain either battery.

    Depending on the battery sizes you might want to get two solar panels (one for each system) sized to provide just enough to trickle charge the battery during the winter.

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