by MickinOz » Tue Dec 27, 2022 5:53 am
Mate, reading your wiring diagram and some previous posts, I'm thinking you could be about to waste about 50% of your solar panel charging capacity.
Bear with me, I'm going to make some assumptions. Also, solar experts might chime in with more detail, and possibly see errors in my explanation.
However, my aim is to simplify as much as possible:
It appears that you will put the two 50W panels in series.
Not sure which panels you have but the Renogy Australia website lists 50W flexible solar panels at 18.5 volts 2.71 amps. Amendment: the downloadable spec sheet says maximum power is at 20.3V 2.47 amps Assuming you have the same panels, that is what will go into your batteries - 2.47 amps. So, with the panels in series, and a PWM controller, the absolute max charging current you will ever see is 2.47 amps.
The controller, being pulse width modulated, will simply turn that 2.47 amps on and off to control the battery state of charge.
As well, the open circuit voltage of the panels is listed at 24.3 volts. Two in series = 48.6V.
So, with the panels in series, you are looking to inject almost maximum input voltage to the PWM (Wanderer 10 amp controller is maximum 50V input).
If you put those two solar panels in parallel, rather than series, you will have the potential to generate 4.9 amps at 20.3 volts.
This is a much better scenario, more efficient, double the capacity, excellent match with your 10 amp PWM controller.
On a day when the sun is unobstructed and the panels are facing it properly, you will potentially get your full 100 watts from your panels, etc.
Last edited by
MickinOz on Tue Dec 27, 2022 7:04 am, edited 1 time in total.