How to Wire Different Sizes of Camper Solar Panels Together - Effects of Mismatched Solar Panels

This video will teach you how to wire different sizes of solar panels together and NOT have power loss. If you wire mismatched solar panels together without proper planning, you WILL have severe power loss from your camper solar array.

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[sholland]

You, Will Prowse, and Hobotech should all get together and have an insane conversation. Thanks man.

[jethrob]

I'm so glad you're continuing with this series. It helps so many people.

[Nifty-Stuff]

Wow, you clearly put a LOT of time into this (script, diagrams, filming, editing, etc.)! This is the best video on explaining the pros / cons and how-to on combining mismatched cells / panels. THANKS!!!

[Bretired]

This is one of the best solar videos I’ve seen. Thank you!

[Moonraker]

Here is a guy that can really teach useful information.

[_weight]

Legend mate. That has simplified everything. I was worried I would lose watts on my mismatched panels. Now I know correct wiring

[winstonsmiths]

Dude, you are tied with Dave Poz, Tin Hat Ranch, and Will Prose for the best info/teaching in solar. Each of you excel over the others in your specific areas. This is meant as a complement. I prefer your speed and detail of info and diagrams are fantastic! I learned more detail and had holes in areas I thought I knew filled in after watching your videos!

[abelincoln]

I appreciate the repetition of the formulas and the sums. I learn faster that way. Thank you, sir!

[GarthVader]

The last example of adding an additional panel that cuts output in half is super informative.

[fishman]

Great video Nate, long time follower and I've referenced your material for my own RV solar installation. One way to work around the problem with panels of different voltages and amperages and preserve 100% power efficiency is to wire them into a 2nd charge controller. If budget is a concern and you've already spent $$ on the MPPT controller, the second controller can even be a lower cost PWM controller which will still boost overall power output.

[redfish]

You are the best at this. You actually have real life installs verse talking about "how it can be done" from inside a room. Thank you very much for this great information

[lordaresthefirst]

Best tutorials on the Internet great job!

[yayita-nc]

You are a very good teacher. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. *.*

[illuminatim]

Wow. Very informative. I will watch more of your videos...under ideal conditions.

[FarqueKnowsWhere]

The diagrams help it sink in Nate thank you, I’ll just watch this video another 3 or 10 times and get a new piece of paper and start again. I usually get professionals to do my electrical work but I want to DIY to understand what I’ve got for remote travel troubleshooting if something happens.

[jeremyhall]

This video literally just helped me figure out the mathematic equation for my system. Under perfect factory testing conditions, ill be installing a 98% efficient system. I appreciate it sooo much!

[garymullan]

First video explaining solar configuration - you have done a great job creating this. Well done

[mr.chisels]

Best explanation of solar panels I've seen yet!! Thanks!!

[jimpecquex]

Hi Nate. Really appreciate your efforts to help us all DIY. I have watched all of your DIY solar videos, some of them multiple times to help me learn solar/RV electrical. I've learned a lot but I'm still not 100% confident in my decisions. I would like to have 2 arrays for my RV. One array will have 4 Renogy 100W (18.6V, 5.38A) panels run in S/P 2/2. These panels will be placed on the ground to get better angles to the sun and to help avoid shading. The other set of panels will be placed on the roof of the RV to allow us to charge while on the road (and in camp), but since placement is more challenging they may get obstructed. I was originally looking at the Renogy 200W but given the array specification differences it seems that their performance would be too low. So based on your advice I changed to using the Rich Solar 200W (37.6V, 5.32A) panels wired in parallel, which if I have done my calculations correctly should get us to 99.8% efficiency. Can you please double-check my logic on this? Thanks. Now for my "real" question - do you think I should use 2 solar charge controllers (say a Victron 100/50 and a Victron 150/60) or would we be better served using one solar charge converter (say a Victron 150/100). The price difference between the two S.C.C. approaches is negligible. Thanks for whatever advice you can provide! Jim

[Briansmith-qjyd]

Nate, Thanks for all the work you two have done!