Solar Panels = what is the difference?

[Newcastle George]

Terry, Jon,

Specs below, panels to be in parallel. The other 3 existing panels are as per 1st specs

Old faulty panel with diodes shown

100_6849 (Custom).JPG

Replacement panel

100_6851 (Custom).JPG

George

[T1 Terry]

If you arewiring them in parallel, the Vmp and VOC are close enough together to make very little difference. Be sure to add a blocking diode in the positive cable for each panel, 10 amp and 40vdc capacity as a minimum and best to get Schottky diodes like these to reduce losses .... you need to mount them on a piece of heat sink, a bit of aluminium mounted in acool spot will do the job fine https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/schottky ... lsrc=aw.ds

Add a bit of heat transfer paste to the mounting face of each diode to ensure you get a good heat transfer, only needsa thin film to fill in the holes and hollows in the surfaces

T1 Terry

[T1 Terry]

I can't quite read the diode numbers on the old panel, but you might be able to use those in pairs, in he positive cable, the band goes toward the solar panel ..... I think The solar panel should be more positive than the solar input terminal of the solar regulator .....

Diode current flow annology.jpg

The more you look at it the more confusing it gets, but if you use the "more positive than" rule it makes it easier to figure out which end would be negative by comparing the voltages .... ummm....

T1 Terry

[Newcastle George]

Terry, in my case as I have a Plasmatronics controller, what is the purpose of fitting blocking diodes? The number on the diodes is SQ045 148

George

[T1 Terry]

Terry, in my case as I hve a Plasmatronics controller, what is the purpose of fitting blocking diodes? The number on the diodes is SQ045 148

George

SQO45 covers a heap of diodes, the 148 doesn't seem to come up, but in general it looks to be a Schottky 45v 15 amp diode, so used as a pr they should be fine for the job.
The blocking diodes is to stop the output from the other 3 panels in the 4 panel parallel group feeding into one of the panels in shade or part shade ..... and turning it into a heater .... this is generally seen as a burnt look around the edge of each module .....

T1 Terry

[Newcastle George]

Thanks Terry.

George