How to wire solar panels! Series, parallel, series/parallel explanations.  

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Glad you enjoyed it, let me know when you are buying your Ecoflow and I'll see if I have a discount code to share.

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You seem like you may have the answer I require, I'm a noob when it comes to solar power and am looking to find out if there something that I can use to reduce/step down the power supplied by my panels to match the Ecoflows allowed input? I have a river 2 with 2X 100W panels wired in series which exceeds the 30v/8A maximum that the river 2 can handle (wiring in parallel will exceed the allowed Amps too).

@@GearHead835 Can you just unplug one of them and use a single Panel? It looks like that would make it 8.33 Amps and that's if it's 100%The load calculation formula you're looking for is P/IxE P is Power measured in watts and I is Amps and E is Voltage. There are many ways to reduce amperage and voltage but based on what you're telling me if it's only to recharge your ecoflow you may want to get their panels. When dealing with recharging batteries to much or to little can cause fire or explosion and a charging regulator or transformer is going to cost you more than it's worth in your case.

Thank you very much, I'm still learning all this myself. But I'm also very familiar with wiring batteries this way, it's the same principles.

I don't disagree, but what I was showing is these smaller power stations have specific voltage and amperage ranges you must work in. Almost always requires some kind of series parralell situation to stay in spec. Wattage never changes.

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Testing the array now, I'm extremely impressed with the results.

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Almost all do with bypass diodes if I understand this correctly, mine have these.

@@TKCL I'd figured so. the older Panels it was a problem.

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Any time

That's exactly right and also why I undersized my system. I've already been seeing way over recommended specs. So it does apply here also. Video out soon!

No worries, you got this!

A tractor

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If running into a structure or through wall, I suggest adding a pv combiner box with fuses and a breaker at a minimum.

Want to run my house, total electric with well - I have 40 gallon hot water heater, stove, 2 ton with heat pump ac unit and a well. How many solar panels and delta pros will I need?

They make underground burial wire, but conduit is probably going to be required by your code. As for the panels, I would need to know the exact wattage pull of all appliances. I can tell you that your electric water heater is a major energy hog and will make going small solar impossible, so will the stove which has a huge pull when in use. You would be money ahead to convert both of those to propane or natural gas. You can then get away with a much smaller solar system and make it through normal day and emergencies far longer.

Even a little bit of sun can cause shading effects, especially if that panel set is wired in series without bypass diodes. I'd wait for a full sun day before assuming the panel is bad. Proper angle makes a big difference on those fold up panels.

Not that I know of, you'll need less panels.

You'll need a even number to achieve that.

Yes here is part one and part two. I also have a much larger array to be built soon ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a_FiFUCf9mg.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_YeucaSm9-s.html

Most modern panels already come with those diodes built in, these panels have them under the black plastic cover on the rear for the same reason you're discussing.

I bought the panels and supports off of Amazon.

@@TKCL Ok Thanks

That's usually not a problem unless in series and it your panels don't have bypass diodes. You'll experience what's called a shading effect.

Both accomplish the same thing, volts times amps equals wattage. Higher voltage and lower amperage allows you to use smaller and more affordable wire. The only time wiring in series really hurts you is if part of your panels are shaded and you have older panels that don't have bypass diodes.

Hmmmmmm, the only thing that concerns me there is if you connect to shore power and charge at the same time you are charging via solar. That could be a problem for your solar charger. I'd say you would have to be disciplined in disconnecting your solar charge controller anytime you connect to shore power. Otherwise you should be OK as long as your solar charge controller is rated for lithium batteries.

Lol 😂 I get it.

That's not correct. Your left with a open wire/connector on your first and last panel. There will be a remaining positive and negative left available to run to your solar charger.

I've been highly impressed with the output of these. So much so that I just bought 40 more. I now own 67 of them.

That's very hard to say since there are so many available with different specs. It's probably going to be difficult to achieve 1600 watts with the voltage and amperage limitations of these units.

It charges the same, but you must pay attention to some units requirements. Some need a minimum voltage to start charging.

I was just wondering that, I do not know if one will charge the other. I will be testing that very soon as I just got a second Delta pro.

Thanks for the reply and I’ll be watching for a video on that.😁 I really enjoy your videos and content. You seem to have a genuine desire to help others! Keep up the great work..

Thank you for watching and the support.

Depends on the amperage and length of the run. There are good online calculators for wire size. Make sure it's a DC calculator.

That's correct on how I wired them. I've been seeing 1200-1400 watts out of 12 panels during the peak of the sun. I'm very pleased with what I am seeing. Honestly the voltage has been a little more difficult to work with than the amperage. Overall it's worked out great for me staying a little under voltage and amperage, I'm still seeing excellent wattage from these panels.

I'd take the same approach as batteries, I never mix match.

1200 watts is where I have found my comfort zone with those panels. Reason being is I've experienced significant voltage spikes on cool days. If I had anymore panels than that, I'd be over the units limits. The good news is that those panels are performing very well for me. I just bought 40 more because they are on the best sale I've ever seen. If the sale is still running on Amazon I'll come back and post my affiliate link. You must be a prime member for the sale.

Just checked, the sale has ended 😕

Thank you very much Andrew, you Rock!

Lol a couple

It doesn't matter if you connect parallel or series, your wattage will always increase. Most panels are at least 5 amps, so if you connect in parallel you are going to go over the maximum for your generator. You need to connect in series doubling your voltage, but always refer to the generators specs first.

I am not sure, I would think no. You don't do that with batteries.

Yes you can, as long as you don't exceed maximum voltage and wattage for your inverter charger

Yes, my current array has 12 5 amp panels, so that's very easy to do. Even with the 4 panels I showed in this video, you can parallel them all and hit 20 amps.

To do what your saying you would need two Y branch solar parralell connectors to connect the remaining cables in parralell. Depending on panel spacing and location, you might need a short run of cable to finish your connections.

@@TKCL would I have to use inline fuses for every pos + panel?

@@TKCL so I would need 4 Mc 4 (like they use for parallel connections and 2 y connectors ? can you use the flexible Y wire connectors that are a wire with the solar panel connections on the end of it? Sorry for so many questions however I think all my hardware is going to be here this weekend and I plan on getting started I appreciate your time please and 😊 thank you 🙏

@@TKCL so I would need 4 Mc 4 (like they use for parallel connections and 2 y connectors ? can you use the flexible Y wire connectors that are a wire with the solar panel connections on the end of it? Sorry for so many questions however I think all my hardware is going to be here this weekend and I plan on getting started I appreciate your time please and 😊 thank you 🙏

No, one you connect all pos and neg together of 4 panels your left with a single pos and neg. Same on the other 4 panels. So that leaves you with a total of two loose positives and two loose negatives that need connection. Two Y Branch adapters will take care of that and combine them down to one single and one positive which will connect to your wires and run to whatever inverter you're using.

That's because you need an even number to series AND parralell as shown. You can use an odd number to series or parralell only, not both.

Not of a comparable model, I own both. Now when you start talking their big stackable units, things do improve on the input side. My gut says Ecoflow is due for and updated system and they are typically the leaders in this space.

@@TKCL Yeah, I'd love to buy an updated model, but unfortunately, I'm not in that position financially (yet). I have to figure out which battery power station I should buy... I have 4 x 405w panels. With the EcoFlo, even if I was to put 2 in series and then the 2 sets in parallel, it'd still be more amperage than what the EcoFlo can handle, what do I do? I'd still like to use all 4 panels, which would be handy on cloudy days, would this be possible?

@alpachino468 my gut says if you can hang in there a few more months without making a purchase, you're going to see some new models that can handle crazy amounts of solar input. Most of these companies launch their new products in January at the CES show.

You've only got one option with those specs. 3 Renogy panels wired in series for 9.66 amps and 81 volts. Be aware that in cool weather or odd cloud conditions you can see spikes above rated voltage. That's why you need to stay under the maximums.

It sure what you mean by two ecoflows? You can't combine units.

@@TKCL I can combine and it gives you 240. And with a soft start you can actually run your central ac.

There is always wires left. When in series the last panel on each end will have one wire remaining for a total of two wires. If going the parallel route with Y adapters, you go from two sets of panel wires, combine with the Y adapters and are left with one positive and one negative to connect to your machine.

Wattage wont increase with wiring configurations, just amperage or voltage. You need to make sure you are getting the correct angle to sun for your area. Sounds like those panels might not be as efficient as they claim.

The issue with the all in one systems like the jackery and the delta pro is that they do limit amperage in from a solar string. The HF panels are excellent, and each will make more than its 100w rating even using the built in legs. I don’t know the voltage input or amperage limit of the jackery, but I assume it’s around 6a or so. Wiring in parallel will hit that 6a limit with just over one panel. 20v x 6a = 120w. You would limit anything above that 6a. 8 panels in parallel would still result in 120w. To get more wattage, you have to increase the voltage using series wiring. If the jackery is safe to at least 45v solar input, then wiring two panels in series will yield that 200w that you are looking for out of those oabels. There is no issue ever having more amperage than the controller is spec’ed for. It will stop at it max amp limit. The ecoflow delta pro has a 15a limit. To max out that 15a input, you will need to supply it with an operating voltage above 106v, but below 150v. I wouldn’t allow it to get above 145v in the coldest weather when panel voltage rises. 106x15a= 1600w. It would take a combination of series- parallel 100w panels to get the voltage above 106v, and the amperage above 15a to get the most of your ecoflow delta pro.

I'm currently running 12 renogy 100 watt panels and last check showed open circuit voltage of 138 volts. Wired in series parralell to 10 amps. I routinely see 1250-1400 watts out of this setup during mid day sun. I am extremely pleased to consistently get over factory spec out of these panels, especially for the $85 price tag.

@@TKCL That mathematically makes sense. 20v that you found with your meter x 6 in series will be 120v operating voltage. Each string you measured is 6a. 120x 12a is 1400w. It’s hard to max out the 1600 watts limit on the delta pro with the 100w panels just because the amps and voltage combo is hard to get just just right without exceeding 150v open circuit voltage. To get to 1600w with the delta pro, you would need another 6 panels in series connected in parallel to what you already own. That would put you at 1800w but can only use 1600w. That’s ok. It’s just an example of over paneling. I also use 100w panels. $85/each is about as cheap as I have seen them too. Most are $100/ea.

They have been staying $85 on Amazon recently, best price I could find.

What video are you looking for? I have over 1000.

I left shift work two years ago, no plans to ever work nights again. It just isn't natural.

Wow that's a lot watch time!

To keep things uniform you could wire all 4 in series OR parralell with the information you provided. No need for a combination of both. However all in series alone will be close to your maximum voltage. Wire all in parallel unless wanting to go with smaller power wire. Then do a series/combination as shown in this video.

@@TKCL thank you this helps

Yes

Awesome Thank you for your time👍🏽

Is there an amperage rating for pool pump? We need to make sure you get the correct voltage and don't exceed the amperage rating of the pump.

@@TKCL SOLAR POOL PUMP (€ ISO9001 Model: ZJP21/19-D72/900 Q.Max. 21 m"h H.Max: 19 M NOM. VOLTAGE: 72V In/Outlet: 48mm POWER: 0.9 KW 1.2 HP IP 54 ICL. B

Just trying to get your thoughts it doesn’t come with clear instructions

No that isn't very clear, I can't say how to wire based on that info. There should be a minimum and maximum voltage range, as well as amperage.

@@TKCL right just wanted to make sure it wasn’t just me I try calling the company they don’t have no answer either thanks for your time keep the video coming love the content from y’all happy new year to you an tiff

You can't reduce those panels to any less than a single panels rated amperage. Those are huge residential panels, what you need are 5 or 10 amp rated 100-200 watt panels.

Thanks for you quick reply, what do you think of an idea of putting a 12amp breaker in front of the mini-spilt MPPT, so if the current ever went over 12 amps it wouldn't get to the mppt?@@TKCL

@gator-freda1938 not a good idea, you can't trust that the breaker will trip. It's also not a good idea to put more the 80 percent load on a breaker.

The one doesn't change the other was referring to either series OR parallel. Yes in the end by combining both in series AND parallel I affected both voltage and amperage. At the end of the day wattage is wattage. The purpose of the demonstration is to show how you have to manipulate both amperage and voltage to stay within a manufacturers recommended range. It's flawed thinking by individuals and manufacturers to put a wattage only maximum on converters when in reality you have other parameters to stay within.

Delta pro 2? I am only familiar with the Delta pro? They sponsored me a while back, with that said I've always been a huge fan of their products and constant improvements. The other big reason I like the Delta pro is its one of the few that offer 240v capability. I desire that!

Or did you mean the panels? I have a lot of reasons I chose those panels, video out this week. I am very impressed!

@@TKCL it was the panels.

@@isoakfires gotcha! Yeah a lot of reasons, price, efficiency ect. My tests have confirmed my choice, I'm very happy.

I think you're thinking of the Delta 2. Delta Pro 2 does not exist, at least not yet.

👁️

No, because at times you will run over the 15 amps, especially on cool days. I don't want to risk tripping the unit. I never run anything to the max.

@@TKCL Ok. So it has to be set up that way because the unit itself won’t govern the input. Cool.

Most will govern wattage, most will not necessarily tolerate over voltage or amperage.

You got it!

No

No problem and I'm happy to help. This is a great cheap kit to make mc4 connections. amzn.to/47sgXsw

I show in this video how I use the crimper kit ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qeb-gh89oeE.html

@@TKCL thank you so much!!!