Ok to make a long story short. One of the Victron dealers (dealer A) recommended the Victron 100/20 solar controller for my set up. I posted previously about this in another thread and its water under the bridge. I ordered from a different dealer (dealer B) as they carried a bunch of other things I needed the first dealer (dealer A)did not carry and I got a pretty good discount on the other parts. Delaer B matched Dealer A on the Victron prices.. What I did not do is verify with dealer B until later that I had the correct solar controller coming - my bad. I am just learning the Solar vernacular and overlooked the PV power of the panels and concentrated on the volts and amps.
So can the experts please confirm that I messed up?
I have 2-190Watt Go Power Panels that I plan to put in series, 380 watts total. Max panel output (used open circuit numbers) is 48.18v @ 9.98 amps in series. Max power numbers are 40.8v @ 9.45 amps - again in series configuration.
Solar cell type Monocrystalline ( Information taken from the back of solar panel ) Does not match what Go Power has on their web page. Numbers are higher.
Output power 190 W
Max Power current 9.45A
Short Circuit current 9.98A
Max Power voltage 20.4V
Open-circuit voltage 24.09 V
So the controller I have on order that has shipped is the Victron SmartSolar 100/20 which was recommended by dealer A based on my original 75/15 choice. They recommended I needed the 100/20
Victron 100/20 specification
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...-20_48V-EN.pdf
Nominal PV power, @12V is 290W however its rated for 20A . However there is a footnote I don't really understand. "If more PV power is connected, the controller will limit input power".
Is this saying it will waste the overage?
Now after I ordered from Dealer B I happen to email a thank you to them for the great pricing and package deal. For some reason I wanted to verify I had the correct controller ordered. hoping to catch it before it shipped. Person I had been dealing with was out, but a second person said no I needed the 100/30 unit as I was exceeding the PV on the 100/20 unit.. This was about 12 hours after I got the shipping notice.
Victron 100/30 specifications
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...-100-50-EN.pdf
Nominal PV power @ 12V is 440W Rated charge current is 30A
My gut says I goofed up (cant type how I really feel) and I do need the 100/30 model - however some of you are running more panels that 440W and are using this unit? Now if I look on the AM solar site at some of their kits close to what I have, they too are running the 100/30
So is it strike two? and I need to exchange this one too? Remember I just returned a PWM model to a third place. I have heard of folks belonging to the two truck club the get things correct. Am I the new founding member of the 3 solar controller club to get things right?
BTW - I sent all of the above information on my solar panels to dealer A to ask that they re-verify their recommendation. Have not heard back yet.
So please tell me where I am at, and any recommendations.
Thanks
Keith
Maybe I should stay in my corner today
So can the experts please confirm that I messed up?
I have 2-190Watt Go Power Panels that I plan to put in series, 380 watts total. Max panel output (used open circuit numbers) is 48.18v @ 9.98 amps in series. Max power numbers are 40.8v @ 9.45 amps - again in series configuration.
Solar cell type Monocrystalline ( Information taken from the back of solar panel ) Does not match what Go Power has on their web page. Numbers are higher.
Output power 190 W
Max Power current 9.45A
Short Circuit current 9.98A
Max Power voltage 20.4V
Open-circuit voltage 24.09 V
So the controller I have on order that has shipped is the Victron SmartSolar 100/20 which was recommended by dealer A based on my original 75/15 choice. They recommended I needed the 100/20
Victron 100/20 specification
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...-20_48V-EN.pdf
Nominal PV power, @12V is 290W however its rated for 20A . However there is a footnote I don't really understand. "If more PV power is connected, the controller will limit input power".
Is this saying it will waste the overage?
Now after I ordered from Dealer B I happen to email a thank you to them for the great pricing and package deal. For some reason I wanted to verify I had the correct controller ordered. hoping to catch it before it shipped. Person I had been dealing with was out, but a second person said no I needed the 100/30 unit as I was exceeding the PV on the 100/20 unit.. This was about 12 hours after I got the shipping notice.
Victron 100/30 specifications
https://www.victronenergy.com/upload...-100-50-EN.pdf
Nominal PV power @ 12V is 440W Rated charge current is 30A
My gut says I goofed up (cant type how I really feel) and I do need the 100/30 model - however some of you are running more panels that 440W and are using this unit? Now if I look on the AM solar site at some of their kits close to what I have, they too are running the 100/30
So is it strike two? and I need to exchange this one too? Remember I just returned a PWM model to a third place. I have heard of folks belonging to the two truck club the get things correct. Am I the new founding member of the 3 solar controller club to get things right?
BTW - I sent all of the above information on my solar panels to dealer A to ask that they re-verify their recommendation. Have not heard back yet.
So please tell me where I am at, and any recommendations.
Thanks
Keith
Maybe I should stay in my corner today
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