Multiple Charge Controllers One Battery Bank: MPPT and PWM

In this video, I delve into the intricate world of harnessing multiple charge controllers for a single battery system. This discussion is pivotal for anyone aiming to augment their solar panel setup, assimilate panels of diverse specifications, or efficiently navigate shading problems.

Throughout this tutorial, we'll dissect scenarios where employing multiple charge controllers not only becomes feasible but yields significant benefits. We'll dispel prevalent myths surrounding the use of multiple solar charge controllers and elucidate how they seamlessly collaborate without direct communication. The crux of their synergy lies in the adept interpretation of the battery's state of charge, deduced from its internal resistance.

I'll guide you through the setup process of wiring multiple charge controllers in parallel to a single battery bank. This is particularly useful for those wishing to expand their solar array with additional panels, utilizing an extra charge controller to enhance the power fed to the battery.

A crucial focus of this video is on managing the equalization charge of lead-acid batteries when interfacing with multiple MPPT charge controllers with one battery. It's vital to ensure that the equalization task is assigned to a single controller to avert the risk of overcharging and potential damage to the battery.

Moreover, I emphasize the significance of calibrating your solar system to the capacity of your battery. For instance, pairing a 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery with a 20A charge controller is optimal. However, introducing another 20A charge controller necessitates reconfiguring your battery setup to accommodate the amplified charging current without compromising the battery's integrity.

Further, we'll explore the impact of cable lengths from the charge controllers to the battery bank and its influence on the efficiency of systems involving multiple solar charge controllers to a single battery bank.

By the end of this presentation, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to adeptly utilize multiple charge controllers one battery bank, ensuring you adeptly calculate your battery's charge C-rate. For those employing lead-acid batteries, a pivotal reminder is to activate the equalization function exclusively on one controller. This guide is indispensable for anyone considering the integration of multiple solar charge controllers, whether for expansion or optimization of their solar power system.

[sempertard]

Nick, you have single handedly hit upon nearly every solar question I have ever had, including all of these "what if" scenarios. I may never connect multiple charge controllers to one battery bank. I may never combine the A/C outputs of two or more inverters capable of doing so, but then again, I might. But what is just as important, is gaining the insight into the characteristics of these components. That comfortable feeling of being in the ballpark of knowing what to expect is priceless. These videos are pure gold. I snagged your book off of AMZ.

[The_Resistance_]

An excellent video which answered pretty much all my questions, and gave me some info I didn't know. I'm subbed.

[GlobalSolarEnergyPakistan]

Good demonstration with proof of calculations.❤

[mapbike]

Just ordered your book so looking forward to the shared knowledge you give in this book, this will help me get my off grid cabin setup and maybe I can help some friends also.

[pathfinder]

This subject can be tricky but you dumb it down nicely so I can understand more about these systems, ty👍

[anasira]

I have a hybrid solar inverter already installed which charges batteries and also running load. Adding a charge controller to the same batteries, is there any chance of running current from the charge controller to the inverter itself and damaging the inverter?

[timgiddens]

Thank you so much! This is such a helpful video!

[wasistgluckeineformelfurgl]

Ich habe insgesamt 6 Laderegler parallel geschaltet. Es funktioniert ohne Probleme.

[BrianFoster-jl]

Thank you for your answers to my question my friend

[cinnamonoctopus]

Do both charge controllers have to be of the same rate?

[papagiannis-yf]

Hello. I have a photovoltaic system with 4 panels 340w and 4 panels 275w. at 340w I have a pwm regulator and at 275 an mppt regulator. I supply 24v batteries but the regulator mppts the 4 panel 275 no feeder at all. what should i improve in my system thanks you

[Dylon]

I read somewhere that modern charge controllers (MPPT/PWM) can automatically detect the type of battery connected and they will automatically provide what voltage and current needed. is it true?

[takkikayo]

Can i use two different type of scc on a 200 Ah lifepo4 batteries if so do you have diagram ? And how to calibrate?

[mskman]

Can both charge controllers be landed on a bus bar? I have a victron 100/30 and want to add another perhaps bigger mppt. Can both controllers be connected to the positive and negative bus bar instead of directly to the battery? If so is fusing required beyond the positive fuse from charge controller.

[adassociates]

Hi Nick, should (2) charge controllers be parallel to their separate bus bar then output to main bus bar as our (4) batteries already parallel to main bus bar? Thanks

[Cliflyri]

Fantastic, thank you for sharing this information.

[joeybez]

IF I RERSET ONE CONTROLLER DO I NEED TO RESET THE OTHER ONE?

[NYCamper]

I have 4x agm batteries, would you say the 1 controller for equalize still applies?

[kapilsds]

My current system is 12v. Can i add another 12v battery in series and charge batteries with separate charge controller.

[ekeretteekpo]

Thank you for the video.
I would like to remark on MPPT controllers, particularly that they come with preset configurations for different kinds of batteries. I would think that the default for different types of batteries should rightly have taken into consideration their C rates and therefore control the charging suitably. No?