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05-23-2022, 08:41 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 0
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Any problems with using 2 separate solar controllers?
Hi everyone.
Recently bought an Alta with a 50 watt system preinstalled. Don't want to invest the money yet to upgrade it. I also own a thunderbolt 100 watt system. Can I hook the thunderbolt controller directly to my battery while the preinstalled controller is also attached? (It's a Waaree pwm controller)
Anyone know if this is this acceptable, or will it cause problems with my battery (or either controller)
Thanks for any input.
Steve
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05-23-2022, 09:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 689
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No problem. Send it.
__________________
2019 F150 HDPP 4X4 3.5. 2500lb payload.
2018 Rockwood 2506
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05-23-2022, 10:46 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srockhill
Hi everyone.
Recently bought an Alta with a 50 watt system preinstalled. Don't want to invest the money yet to upgrade it. I also own a thunderbolt 100 watt system. Can I hook the thunderbolt controller directly to my battery while the preinstalled controller is also attached? (It's a Waaree pwm controller)
Anyone know if this is this acceptable, or will it cause problems with my battery (or either controller)
Thanks for any input.
Steve
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I have the onboard 50watt panel with the pwm and I also connect 220w with a victron controller with no issues.
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05-23-2022, 11:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 4,555
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srockhill
Hi everyone.
Recently bought an Alta with a 50 watt system preinstalled. Don't want to invest the money yet to upgrade it. I also own a thunderbolt 100 watt system. Can I hook the thunderbolt controller directly to my battery while the preinstalled controller is also attached? (It's a Waaree pwm controller)
Anyone know if this is this acceptable, or will it cause problems with my battery (or either controller)
Thanks for any input.
Steve
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It's effective and harmless.
__________________
TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars
Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)
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05-24-2022, 05:08 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Box elder
Posts: 730
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Just get the settings between both controller’s the same or close to the same.
As the charge voltage, and float voltage.
__________________
2015 silverback 31IK
2023 f350
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05-24-2022, 03:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,147
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That doesn't sound like any problem to me at all. I remember the first time a friend of mine suggested strapping a standard 25 amp battery charger to my battery bank while charging from shore power. The concept almost gave me a heart attack but when I checked it out it wasn't a problem at all and it doubled my charging rate. Same thing seems to work with solar. A lot of folks report using roof mount system supplemented by a portable system and I've never heard of a problem.
__________________
Tom48
In Sunny So Cal /w
Now in 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador DP and The Hot Air Balloon RESTLESS
NO MORE Tricked out
2017 Sandstorm 250 T.H.
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05-24-2022, 03:51 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,356
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Using multiple charging sources, solar, Converter, Battery Charger, etc is no different than filling a swimming pool by using several hoses of different sizes and at different pressures. The pool fills more quickly.
Even if the hoses are connected to a closed container as the internal pressure (in this case a battery) reaches the same pressure as the lowest hose pressure, flow from that source will cease and same for remaining hoses.
The only caveat is that if one has different sized solar panels, each panel or combination of panels will require their own controller but their outputs can all be connected to the same battery.
The oft stated warning "the different sources will fight each other and cause problems" is totally false and just based on total lack of knowledge of how electricity works.
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"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)
"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"
2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change )
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05-25-2022, 06:33 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,230
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In fact, from what I've read, it is recommended to have separate charge controllers. Works better if one panel is shaded and the other isn't.
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2009 Roo 21ss + 2007 Superduty 6.0
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05-25-2022, 08:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mnoland30
In fact, from what I've read, it is recommended to have separate charge controllers. Works better if one panel is shaded and the other isn't.
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If wired in parallel, not a concern. In series there will be loss if one is shaded as you get a drop from the diodes.
__________________
2019 F150 HDPP 4X4 3.5. 2500lb payload.
2018 Rockwood 2506
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