4 Solar Panels

[alshufane]

Hello my friends

I made 4 solar panels each one of them 65 watts, 18 v ,3.6A
and i have 10A PWM Solar Charge Controller Regulator for 12V 24V PV solar system

I want to know how to link the 4 panels to have 260watt ,to charge 12v battery

[noelex 77]

Not sure if your battery is 12 or 24 v fom your post. If its 12v the answer is:

You need to wire them in parallel. + to + and negative to negative. This will lead to regulator then to house batteries. You need to fuse the supply at least between the batteries and the regulator.
The size of wire is important. Measure the distance and someone will work that out for you.

Your regulator, however at 10A not large enough and will limit the power ( most likely), or be damaged, by the 4 panels.
It needs replacing with a larger model that will handle more current.

[alshufane]

Thank you for this quick answer
I asked some people and they said to me that linking parallel is not good
Are you sure there is no danger to the panels in this way ؟؟؟
I think that adding a fuse would be better Before the regulator
Do you think that you, too?

[noelex 77]

Your regulator needs replacing anyway. If you stay with a non MPPT regulator you must conect them parallel.
Is the 18v the Vmp or the Voc?. If they are 36 cell panels it will be the former and parallel connection is probably best no matter which type of regulator you buy ( assuming they are 12v batteries)
A fuse is essential between the regulator and the batteries. Most solar panel manufucterers recommend one also between the regulator and the panel, but many people omit this.

[Nicholson58]

Look up Handy Bob's Solar blog and read a lot. Great help here burried in the piles of reading.

In short, it is best if you can plan your panels to be wired in parallel especially if there is possibility of any part of one to be partly shaded. There need to be diodes to prevent reverse current flow from each panel. This protects a shaded panel from damage caused by the unshaded panels and prevents battery discharge at night. Always size the controller to handle well more than the maximum current. Many commercial panels have diodes built in and some have more than one so that a shaded part of a panel can be bypassed.

[alshufane]

Thank you my friends
noelex 77 the 18 v is vmp .
and What is the current fuse that must be used?
Nicholson58 thank you That's what I was afraid of it Be one of the panels is shaded .
What is the amount of current in the diode, which should put him on each panel ؟؟

[noelex 77]

The fuse is designed to protect the wiring, but 25A would be fine.

In the construction of the solar panels a number of bypass diodes should be used in each panel. The number of bypass diodes depends on the solar cell specifications but usually 3, or more are used. These protect the cells from overheating if part of the panel is shaded.

[Nicholson58]

Here are some links you might find useful.

Any panel you buy will have a data sheet that tells you what open circuit maximum voltage and max current at various conditions.

Solar electric power components and solar panels
Blocking and By-Pass Diodes Used in Solar Panels
Adrift at Sea » Solar Power on Boats
Buy Solar Panels - Kyocera, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Sharp, REC Solar and More!
Blue Sky Energy Inc. - Industry Leaders In Solar Boost Charge Controllers and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)

[alshufane]

Thank you my friends

[Bash]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

The fuse is designed to protect the wiring, but 25A would be fine.

25A is fine, but a 20A circuit breaker might be better. 15A would be too small.

[alshufane]

Sorry to the many questions my friends, but I have another question
In this case when connect solar panels in parallel Is it enough to put diode to the + wire for each panel ?

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by alshufane

Sorry to the many questions my friends, but I have another question
In this case when connect solar panels in parallel Is it enough to put diode to the + wire for each panel ?

No bypass diodes span between the negative and positive poles. They are fitted internaly in the panel between groups of cells. Occasionally bypass diodes are fitted around whole panels, but only with series, not parallel connection.

Commercial solar panels come with the required amount of bypass diodes fitted and you do not need to worry about adding extra, at least in parallel connection.
If you constructed your own solar panels as your OP suggests these should have been incorporated into the wiring. If not they should be added if possible.
Did the plans include bypass diodes?
Did the solar cell manufactures suggest the maxinium number of cells that should be connected before a bypass diode was fitted?
The bypass diodes are primarily designed to protect the individual string of cells from overheating. The need varies depending on the cell type, configuration, spacing and projected life, but 15 cells is often quoted.
Usually a 36 cell commercial panel is fitted with between 2 and 8 bypass diodes per panel.

[noelex 77]

You might find this link ( in addition to others already posted) useful in explaining bypass diodes within solar panels
Bypass Diodes | PVEducation

[alshufane]

thank you noelex 77
I make solar panels myself and Did not add any diode Unfortunately and all panel give 3.6A
so I think that i should add 6A diode to all positive wire, Is this true ?

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by alshufane

thank you noelex 77
I make solar panels myself and Did not add any diode Unfortunately and all panel give 3.6A
so I think that i should add 6A diode to all positive wire, Is this true ?

Adding a diode in series with the positive wire is a blocking diode.
Despite its similar name it does a very different job to a bypass diode. With most solar controllers/ regulators adding a blocking diode is not necessary, and will reduce power output.

I would still like to see some bypass diodes incorporated into your design, but if this cannot be done, it may be that the panel still has a acceptable life without these.

Commercial solar manufacturers often provide a 25 year guarantee with at least 80% output. A tough standard. I wish other marine products did the same.