Solar panel Diodes
Submitted: Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 11:17
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Niffty
I have two 55 watt panels which I want to hook up in parallel.These panels were previously hooked in series and there is a diode(bypass?) between the pos and neg terminals in
the junction box.So do I need this or can it be removed?I believe the new smart regulator I have has blocking diodes in it so looks like I dont need diodes on the feed lines as
well.
Reply By: Robin - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 11:50
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 11:50
Hi Niffty
Normally solar panels have an internal doide , which means they can be hooked in parallel without external doides - I'd establish this point first based on manufacturers model no.
Sounds like your aware that in parallel they have 1/2 volts output of when in series.
Robin Miller
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Follow Up By: Niffty - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 15:52
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 15:52
Thanks robin
Yes I am aware the the voltage will be 12V. What I was after by using parallel hook up was twice the amps.These panels will be part of the charging system to charge two 6V 220amh batteries hooked in series.
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 13:19
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 13:19
Bypass diodes are needed when you wire panels in series so they won't get a reverse voltage across them if one panel gets shaded.
For 12 volt parallel operation, there is no benefit in removing the diodes - unless you want to use them in SERIES with each panel as the Isolating Diode - to prevent current flow if one panel is shaded.
Does your regulator have TWO inputs - if not you should use isolating diodes.
Mike
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Follow Up By: Niffty - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 15:59
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 15:59
Hi Mike
So if I leave them there or remove them it wont make any difference if the panels are in parallel? The reason I was going to remove them is I have some
junction terminal repairs to do and would be a lot easier without the diodes in the way. I found the diodes in a Dick Smith book they Are :1000V 6amp power rectifiyng diodes.This doesnt mean much to me but thought it may tell you something.Yes two wires going into the regulator.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 16:52
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 16:52
yes, you can remove the diodes wired across each panel.
Does the regulator have TWO inputs (TWO positive leads) and both are designed to connect Solar Panels ?
Just to confirm - you are now using two 12 volt solar panels to charge to 6 volt batteries connected in series ?
Mike
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Follow Up By: Niffty - Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:22
Friday, Mar 31, 2006 at 19:22
Regulator inputs for solar panels are 1x pos and 1x neg, so no there is only one positve input.The regulator has back current protection.Yes I will be using 2 x 12V panels(12v@ 6-7 amps) once I have repaired
the junction box to charge 2x 6V batteries in series (12V) 220 amh lead acids.
Niffty
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