hi all, i have question which i hope someone can help me with. to run solar panels at 24volt you need to connect 2x 12volt panels in series. when one does this, the voltage double to 24, but the amperage stays the same, assuming you are using 2x 75watt panels, that each put out 4 amps you would get a 24volt system that puts out 4 amps. my question is what happens to the amperage if you connect two panels of diffirent sizes together?ie a panel putting out 1 amp with a panel that puts out 4 amp?any info will be appreciated, thanks greg
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connecting solar panels in series
- Thread starter airchair
- Start date
You will have 4amps flowing out of the two in series. I can tell you that if you had
two different solar panels in parallel then you could add the current flowing through them.
If you have an output of 4A in one panel and 1A in the second panel, you would be pushing 4A through a 1A solar panel- a no-no. What I would do there is to always put the smaller (current rating) panel first and so forth.
two different solar panels in parallel then you could add the current flowing through them.
If you have an output of 4A in one panel and 1A in the second panel, you would be pushing 4A through a 1A solar panel- a no-no. What I would do there is to always put the smaller (current rating) panel first and so forth.
That is what he is trying to do the way i understand it! And putting the panel first or last won't make any difference.
psc
Well-Known Member
In series the voltages will be the sum, the current will typically be of the lowest output panel (1 Amp in this case).
Solar Panel
When you connect two panels in series, the voltage output will increase. And when you join two panels parallel there will be no change in voltage. I will increase amperes.
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When you connect two panels in series, the voltage output will increase. And when you join two panels parallel there will be no change in voltage. I will increase amperes.
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bekdik
Honorary Master
Why?
Could be because they don't quite operate like a batteries do. They generate power that's it.
A battery will deliver whatever the current needs are. You can pair up for example 2 car batteries, one 50amp the other 100amp and draw 100amp's from both(24v 100amp), but the 50amp will be dead flat in half the time while the 100amp will still have 50amps at it's disposal. I think......
A battery will deliver whatever the current needs are. You can pair up for example 2 car batteries, one 50amp the other 100amp and draw 100amp's from both(24v 100amp), but the 50amp will be dead flat in half the time while the 100amp will still have 50amps at it's disposal. I think......
+1 on the battery thing. Batteries are rated in Ah (Amp x hour). So if you have a 102Ah battery and a 56Ah battery (12V each), putting them in series will create 24V (102+56Ah) or in parallel 12V (102+56Ah). Then if you pull 100A in an hour they will each have a ~50A deficit. It's just the capacity that they can supply.
Turiko
Banned
Putting batteries with two different capacities in series will result in the one with the smaller capacity, going flat quicker than the other, so you will see 24 volts for a while then maybe 16 for the larger part of the discharge time.
It is not recommended because assuming it's a regular battery, you could easily deep discharge the smaller one and damage it as it will go below 10,6 volts.
It is not recommended because assuming it's a regular battery, you could easily deep discharge the smaller one and damage it as it will go below 10,6 volts.
Turiko
Banned
Getting identical batteries is preferable 
The point is you can still do it with a batteries of different sizes - all be it not ideal.
With his two solar panels - assuming the 1 amp job is "flat" - chuck a towel over it - the other is still trying to pump 4 amps (at 12v) through the smaller circuitry and tracks of the 1amp panel.
Of course it can all be overcome with a decent charger / regulator and current limiter circuit i suppose. Just a waste of a 4 amp panel tho.
With his two solar panels - assuming the 1 amp job is "flat" - chuck a towel over it - the other is still trying to pump 4 amps (at 12v) through the smaller circuitry and tracks of the 1amp panel.
Of course it can all be overcome with a decent charger / regulator and current limiter circuit i suppose. Just a waste of a 4 amp panel tho.
Hey AirChair, is there a reason why it *must* be 24 volt?
You about to waste a 50 watt (4Ax12v)panel! Put them in parallel dude.
12v @5 amp is way better than 24v @ 1 amp.
You know you can always charge your battieries with the 12V (assuming 2x12v) and connect them into 24V configuration for your inverter or whatever when you need it.....you can buy isolulator switches etc if thats too much of a pain.
You about to waste a 50 watt (4Ax12v)panel! Put them in parallel dude.
12v @5 amp is way better than 24v @ 1 amp.
You know you can always charge your battieries with the 12V (assuming 2x12v) and connect them into 24V configuration for your inverter or whatever when you need it.....you can buy isolulator switches etc if thats too much of a pain.
thanks
hi guys, thanks for all the replies, the reason i was going for 24v is because my inverter is 24v, based on the facts given i have decided to get myself another 75 watt panel to add to my other 75watt unit, so all is good now, once again thanks for the info.
hi guys, thanks for all the replies, the reason i was going for 24v is because my inverter is 24v, based on the facts given i have decided to get myself another 75 watt panel to add to my other 75watt unit, so all is good now, once again thanks for the info.