Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-23-2013, 06:05 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
wichita , Kansas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 6
New solar panel

I intend to buy a new solar panel. The one I have is small.(factory ?)I don't know. The guy I bought it from didn't seem to know much about it. There was no paper work so I don' t know how many watts it is. I am guessing about thirty watts.my question is. Can I wire the new panel to the old one or should I chuck the old one? Thanks in advance. Your input is welcome.
tinner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-23-2013, 07:20 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
DanielB's Avatar
 
1974 31' Excella 500
Charleston , South Carolina
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,073
Blog Entries: 8
I'm a newbie on solar, but this should get this started.

1) Go down to the auto parts store and get a digital voltmeter. With this (among other things) you can measure the output of your solar panel. The panel should have two output wires. One is positive and one is negative. Put it out in the sun and throw the voltmeter on it.

2) Become familiar with this: Watts=Amps*Volts. Solar panels deliver watts at a certain voltage. Divide the watts by the voltage to get the amps. Charge controllers are rated in maximum amps. Do you have a charge controller and what is it's max amps?

3) If you wire 2 panes together in parallel, I do not know if they need to be the same voltage and/or wattage? Maybe not, but if you wire them in series the voltage adds together.. wiring 2 12 volt panels together in series will give 24 volts. If each of them is 100 watts then you will get 100 watts (at 24 volts).

- If you do not find a new panel that matches the one that you have I do not know whether you can hook them together or not.
__________________
As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.
- Andrew Carnegie
DanielB is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.