can I add more panels to my systems??

4 Posts
Aug 16, 2006 11:38 am
can I add more panels to my systems??

If I add more PV panels would I need more batteries??
I have a 320 watt 12V system.
I live in Japan, imported system from states. have no idea but by reading instruction able to put it together. still learning, anyone please HELP and be patient with stupid questions.

thanks,

juah
 
578 Posts
Aug 16, 2006 06:55 pm
Re: can I add more panels to my systems??

don't worry about stupid questions, nobody is born knowing this stuff.  you can learn by asking, doing or both.  Yes you can add more pv modules to your system.  what you add and what you change to allow these additions will depend on what you have in your system now.  if you add more power, you may have to upgrade your wiring and perhaps your charge controller.  let us know what you have already in place and we (the staff and our loyal forum participants) can help you with selecting things to help your system grow.

to answer your question directly, adding more pv would not mean adding more batteries.  to have more energy storage you would need more batteries, to have more energy production to fill a new, larger battery bank, and keep up with your consumption, you may want to add more solar pv modules.

 james - Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 
4 Posts
Aug 16, 2006 10:02 pm
Re: can I add more panels to my systems??

Well my systems 320watt @ 12V.
[4] sharp 80Watt PV
[1]outback combiner box w/ 4 10amp breaker
[1] Tristar T-45 charge control
[1] xentrax 1512 inverter charger
[4] Trojan L16, wire in series/parallel.

I put a (430 KWh year) small fridge in last week to run indefinite,but my system can't store enough energy.
Charge control reach bulk charge @13.7 peak.never in float mode or pwm. It seems to never be fully charged.
Is it bad for battery to be running @ 12.37V or less all the time?
Can I put PVs of other watt or maker on my system to supplement for the fridge?
 
578 Posts
Aug 17, 2006 05:21 pm
Re: can I add more panels to my systems??

you can easily add two more sharp 80 to your system.  this would increase the rate with which you charge your batteries, but it would not increase the amount of storage you have.  your charge controller has room for at least two more.  you would just have two more 10a breakers in your pspv.  regarding adding storage, it is suggested not to add new batteries to batteries older than one year, so that you dont wreck the new and the old ones.  If you need more storage, you may have to increase your battery bank, and that may mean a new battery bank.  I can send you a quote if you would like for the equipment you are looking for.  you will likely be on your own for batteries because of international shipping regulations for hazardous materials.

james - Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 

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