Guide To Wiring Off-Grid MPPT Charge Controllers

Rule number 1 when looking to add more panels onto your system: 

Ensure your installer does not connect too many panels in series causing the Solar Charger to blow up!

Solar Panels in Series vs Parallel:

In series, solar panels are simply connected together like lego, the leads coming from the back of the panels plug in. The open circuit voltage (VOC) compounds when panels are in series. Whereas when panels are connected in parallel, they are separated with a "Y joiner". In parallel the open circuit voltage (VOC) does not compound. 

You can ensure your solar charge controller isn't over voltaged by following the formula below:

Open circuit voltage (VOC) X number of panels in series in each string of panels x 1.1 = the maximum voltage which will go through your Solar Charger

Example

AT ALL COSTS - do not overvoltage the Solar Charger because it will likely lead to complete failure of the component.

If you're still unsure, please contact Commodore Australia to clarify.

 

Below are examples of how to work out your Solar panel string configurations. Remember to confirm the VOC of your Solar panels when working out your strings

of panels. The examples below we are using a 390w Solar panel as an example

with a VOC of 41.94v