what size solar regulator?

On a good day your panels should each be putting out between 7 to 8 amps , giving you 16 amps..so the 20 amp regulator should be fine...cheers

G'day Bear74
I agree with rooster, the total output will be around 16 or 17 amps. If a 20 amp reg is used then it would seem ok but has little reserve to handle that current when in HOT conditions.
The 20amp unit may work well but heat may affect it particularly if the unit is inside a vehicle where little or no cooling is happening and there is no cooling airflow over the unit.
Then the 20amp may not be enough because of the heat dissipation factor.

If you stick with a 20 amp unit I would be fitting a computer fan to the LOAD output of the unit so while the batteries are above the load threshold voltage it will run the fan and cool the unit, thereby ensuring reliability and minimize possible "heat stroke" of the regulator.
Once the smoke gets out of a regulator there isn't much you can do.

Ross M

Which MPPT regulator is it? Some are fakes.

280w of Solar is about 17A into the regulator but 23A or more out if you have a low battery.

If you want to get all out of your panels then you will need a MPPT regulator rated at 25A or more.

If the regulator is rated at 20A then it is only 240W unless it is rated 20A in and 25 or more out. This is a warning sign to me that it isn't true MPPT.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/20A-12V-24V-MPPT-solar-charge-controller-solar-regulator-15-30-more-power-/200864116548?pt=AU_Solar&hash=item2ec46f2f44
this is the regulator here. cheers for the replies fellas

Morningstar pro star 30amp are a very good product not cheap,can find them on ebay in OZZ for about $160-$200.
No affiliation etc.

Hi,
Look up Autoelecs on e bay had 30 amp regs for around $100.
Cheers

Hi Bear,

I have several panels but specifically, re your query, I have a 160 watt folding setup and on good days when the battery is down I can get over 10 amps out of the regulator and into the battery. This means in your case, if the panels are mono, that a 20 amp regulator will be borderline with little or no reserve on good days with low batteries.

I would go a 30 amp regulator to be on the safe side. The extra cost at this point is minimal where as if you find you need to upgrade later it is another regulator.

Cheers, Bruce.

thanks all will do a bit more research before committing to a particular brand