Items Needed When Upgrading The Capacity Of A Solar Panel System

Question:

Thanks Kevin, I like the idea to substitute a 30 amp controller to handle the extra current. So if I understand you correctly, I will need the following: 1 80 watt solar panel 1 30 amp controller 1 fixed mount remote to be installed in my trailer where the 10 amp controller currently resides Correct? Am I missing anything? Also, I assume the 30 amp controller would have no problem accommodating the 160 watt roof mounted solar panels and a future, if needed, 200 watt portable solar panel which I would plug into the existing pre wired port on the side of my camper. Correct? Thanks!

asked by: Alan

Expert Reply:

You're correct, if you swap over to the Go Power MPPT Solar Charge Controller # GP72RR then you would want to also pick up Bluetooth Remote Display # GP37MR so that you can monitor and adjust your controller settings. With this remote you can also download the Go Power App and connect to it via Bluetooth to monitor and adjust your controller through your smartphone.

If you get a second 80 watt panel and later on want to switch to a higher wattage panel you'll either need to separate the systems and have different controllers for them, otherwise if you added a 200 watt panel to the two 80 watt panels then it'll limited to 80 watts as well instead of the full 200 watts. You'd get 240 watts out of the 3 panels instead of 360 watts.

If you expand at all in the future you'll just want the panels to all have the same wattage and ensure that the controller is can handle to amperage output of the panels.

expert reply by: Kevin C