Solar Controllers...

[clicker187]

Can I use two different solar controllers to charge the two batteries in my rig? The controller on the roof is a 30 amp controller. I have an installed solar panel on my roof and I want to add a portable panel that already has it's own controller. Will this cause any problem?

Thanks, John T

[Skater]

Originally Posted by clicker187

Can I use two different solar controllers to charge the two batteries in my rig? The controller on the roof is a 30 amp controller. I have an installed solar panel on my roof and I want to add a portable panel that already has it's own controller. Will this cause any problem?

I hope not...I basically have a similar situation with a 3 stage converter and a 3 stage solar controller... I will be interested to see what the responses are.

I guess I was thinking the two controllers would basically come into synchronization before long - after all, they're both sensing the battery voltage and would come to similar conclusions about the battery states.

[alumascoupe]

Make sure your charge controllers voltage sensors are attached at the same location to get the most accurate voltage reading possible, this way one controller isn't constantly sensing a different voltage than the other controller therefore being forced to work harder.

[Protagonist]

As long as each system contains a blocking diode to keep power from one from feeding back to the other, you should be okay. Fortunately most solar charge controllers already contain a blocking diode to prevent current from other charging sources (such as shore power) from flowing the wrong way through the panel and controller.