|
Post by captainstone on Aug 9, 2018 21:11:37 GMT
I have seven 100W panels wired in parallel using branch connectors into my 60A Commander charge controller. I’m not getting as much charge as I thought I would. Is there any way for the Commander to tell me how many panels it sees?
|
|
|
Post by bupkis on Aug 10, 2018 0:23:56 GMT
No. amps it is if in bulk charging.
|
|
|
Post by tattoo on Aug 10, 2018 0:45:27 GMT
Nope, It has no idea how many panels you have nor does it care...
I have 8 panels and a 60a CC and my system is running great..... What are you trying to run off of your system and how many batteries do you have???
|
|
|
Post by captainstone on Aug 10, 2018 1:17:26 GMT
Nope, It has no idea how many panels you have nor does it care...
I have 8 panels and a 60a CC and my system is running great..... What are you trying to run off of your system and how many batteries do you have??? I just updated my signature with my system. Can you see it?
How do I know if all 7 panels are hooked up and working correctly other than unplugging one at a time and checking for amp change on the controller?
|
|
|
Post by tattoo on Aug 10, 2018 2:04:56 GMT
How do I know if all 7 panels are hooked up and working correctly other than unplugging one at a time and checking for amp change on the controller? There is no other way other than checking them one at a time to be sure... But I bet they are all working.... What voltage are they showing in full sun.....
|
|
|
Post by bupkis on Aug 10, 2018 13:29:39 GMT
captainstone, individual panels are tested in good sun, voltage and amps and compared to the specs on the back of the panel. you could do that for all 7 at once but you'd need a ammeter that could handle 7 times the amps of one panel, 35A or more. hand held meters need their leads changed to measure amps or an internal fuse blows in the volt meter! 10A max is what I recall they can measure.
What type of info does the controller show with the sun perpendicular to the panels while charging?
|
|
|
Post by JimBo on Aug 12, 2018 12:22:04 GMT
What type of info does the controller show with the sun perpendicular to the panels while charging? good question
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Aug 14, 2018 14:38:15 GMT
The Commander does not recognize the number of panels connected, however it does relay the power input information such as combined voltage and amps. One thing to note is that for a 12V system, while you can connect more panels to the Commander, it will current limit depending on whether you oversized beyond the Commander specifications. Are your panels connected in series? or series parallel?
Best! -Renogy Team
|
|
|
Post by captainstone on Aug 14, 2018 18:17:52 GMT
The Commander does not recognize the number of panels connected, however it does relay the power input information such as combined voltage and amps. One thing to note is that for a 12V system, while you can connect more panels to the Commander, it will current limit depending on whether you oversized beyond the Commander specifications. Are your panels connected in series? or series parallel? Best! -Renogy Team Thank you for letting me know! I have seven panels wired in parallel. I use a few MC4 combiner/splitter cables so all the wires are combined into one positive and one negative and go into the controller. I have a breaker on the positive line just before it goes into the controller.
|
|
|
Post by tattoo on Aug 14, 2018 22:06:13 GMT
The Commander does not recognize the number of panels connected, however it does relay the power input information such as combined voltage and amps. One thing to note is that for a 12V system, while you can connect more panels to the Commander, it will current limit depending on whether you oversized beyond the Commander specifications. Are your panels connected in series? or series parallel? Best! -Renogy Team Thank you for letting me know! I have seven panels wired in parallel. I use a few MC4 combiner/splitter cables so all the wires are combined into one positive and one negative and go into the controller. I have a breaker on the positive line just before it goes into the controller. Yea I'm glad they told you so now you know...
|
|
|
Post by bupkis on Aug 15, 2018 0:46:03 GMT
The Commander does not recognize the number of panels connected, however it does relay the power input information such as combined voltage and amps. One thing to note is that for a 12V system, while you can connect more panels to the Commander, it will current limit depending on whether you oversized beyond the Commander specifications. Are your panels connected in series? or series parallel? Best! -Renogy Team Thank you for letting me know! I have seven panels wired in parallel. I use a few MC4 combiner/splitter cables so all the wires are combined into one positive and one negative and go into the controller. I have a breaker on the positive line just before it goes into the controller. what's the power produced in full sun perpendicular to the panels, is it a secret?
|
|
|
Post by captainstone on Aug 15, 2018 1:12:40 GMT
Thank you for letting me know! I have seven panels wired in parallel. I use a few MC4 combiner/splitter cables so all the wires are combined into one positive and one negative and go into the controller. I have a breaker on the positive line just before it goes into the controller. what's the power produced in full sun perpendicular to the panels, is it a secret? I'm never around when this happens. Is there a way to tell?
|
|
|
Post by tattoo on Aug 15, 2018 2:23:20 GMT
I'm never around when this happens. Is there a way to tell? Not unless your there during the day... Your not home on the weekend? When the panels are in full direct sun that's several hours a day...
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Aug 16, 2018 18:30:18 GMT
For those asking about what value the panels demonstrate in full perpendicular sun, the unfortunate answer is that it depends. The panels create electricity on factors such as temperature, air mass, and the sun's rays--insolation. In industry, the specifications are defined as to how the panels perform in 25C temperature, with air mass of 1.5 and insolation being 1000W/m^2 (lab setting). Values that stay within 20% might be a good indicator of a well performing panel.
All the best!
-Renogy Team
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Aug 16, 2018 18:33:21 GMT
The Commander does not recognize the number of panels connected, however it does relay the power input information such as combined voltage and amps. One thing to note is that for a 12V system, while you can connect more panels to the Commander, it will current limit depending on whether you oversized beyond the Commander specifications. Are your panels connected in series? or series parallel? Best! -Renogy Team Thank you for letting me know! I have seven panels wired in parallel. I use a few MC4 combiner/splitter cables so all the wires are combined into one positive and one negative and go into the controller. I have a breaker on the positive line just before it goes into the controller. Are these the Renogy Branch connectors you're using as a combiner splitter? Depending on how tight the connections are, if they are your own, some loose connections might change the output of the panels.
|
|