Anyone know if this has a blocking diode built in? I have several panels wired in parallel and need to know, but the company has been slow to answer.....(Update) I'm not worried about frying anything, just efficiency. If multiple panels are wired in parallel and are not getting even sun, the sunnier panel can dump some of its current into the shadier panels in the form of heat energy. My panels are on a sailboat and will not be getting even lighting. Without a controller, the diode prevents the panel from draining energy at night. With a controller, the nighttime drain is not the issue, just getting the most from the array. At least that's my understanding. The company got back to me and confirmed that they do have a blocking diode built in. Thanks, all! Anyone know if this has a blocking diode built in? I have several panels wired in parallel and need to know, but the company has been slow to answer.....(Update) I'm not worried... » Read More Anyone know if this has a blocking diode built in? I have several panels wired in parallel and need to know, but the company has been slow to answer.....(Update) I'm not worried about frying anything, just efficiency. If multiple panels are wired in parallel and are not getting even sun, the sunnier panel can dump some of its current into the shadier panels in the form of heat energy. My panels are on a sailboat and will not be getting even lighting. Without a controller, the diode prevents the panel from draining energy at night. With a controller, the nighttime drain is not the issue, just getting the most from the array. At least that's my understanding. The company got back to me and confirmed that they do have a blocking diode built in. Thanks, all! « Show Less
1517300
Yes it has the blocking diode built in. It is a small black block right on the back on the unit where the wires come out of it. I have this now and have used it for 2 summers charging my boat battery for trolling and fishing. Does a great job. Light weight and easy to deal with.
1595
I am reasonably certain that there is no blocking diode on the panel. I bought two panels and put in my own diodes.
541014
No all on the same one, but probably could wire in a separate timer if need be. I just put a couple strands on a switch - near my grill and trash cans back behind my face, so I can turn on and off at night only when I need it. Works great. This has been very easy to use (I had zero experience with any of this stuff), and has worked great so far!! Was very happy I did get the larger wattage as I keep adding lights as I go.
516108
You might mean 3215rn? Either one according to the directions/profile accept (I believe automatically) 12 or 24 volts. Going to 36 volts might either fry the unit or just cause it to shut down. I have a 12 volt system with my panels (small groups of them) wired in parallel. Because my panels are 2 types of differing specs, they feed into 4 separate controllers. This is done to not come close to overloading any controller. 2 of my controllers are MPPT, 2 are PWM. I own a Tracer 2215rn and a Tracer 4210. The PWMs are Windy Nation 30 amp and a Misol 50 amp. Returning to your question, I looked on amazon and found this to to handle 36 volts:Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Tristar Mppt 60 Ampgood luck You might mean 3215rn? Either one according to the directions/profile accept (I believe automatically) 12 or 24 volts. Going to 36 volts might either fry the unit or just cause it to shut down. I have a 12 volt system with my panels (small groups of them) wired in parallel. Because my panels are 2 types of differing specs, they feed into 4 separate controllers. This is done to not come close to overloading any controller. 2 of my controllers are MPPT, 2 are PWM. I own a Tracer 2215rn and a Tracer 4210. The PWMs are Windy Nation 30 amp and a Misol 50 amp. Returning to your question, I looked... » Read More You might mean 3215rn? Either one according to the directions/profile accept (I believe automatically) 12 or 24 volts. Going to 36 volts might either fry the unit or just cause it to shut down. I have a 12 volt system with my panels (small groups of them) wired in parallel. Because my panels are 2 types of differing specs, they feed into 4 separate controllers. This is done to not come close to overloading any controller. 2 of my controllers are MPPT, 2 are PWM. I own a Tracer 2215rn and a Tracer 4210. The PWMs are Windy Nation 30 amp and a Misol 50 amp. Returning to your question, I looked on amazon and found this to to handle 36 volts:Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Tristar Mppt 60 Ampgood luck « Show Less
2278438
Yes, to run more panels, I'm no pro, but from what I've found with this unit is that you can run higher voltage if you're running in series vs. strictly parallel. I have 4 panels and I run 2 in parallel and then the 2 sets in series for a total of 24 volts. It's actually higher than that most of the day - between 32 and 37 volts depending on the sunshine - I haven't seen my maximum voltage (in direct sunlight, at the perfect angle) yet, but so far, so good. I also don't know if this controller can handle 48 volts. I'm not saying it can't, but I've never seen the theoretical maximum that this controller can handle. Like I said, I'm not a pro - and I'm still learning. Be careful out there :) Yes, to run more panels, I'm no pro, but from what I've found with this unit is that you can run higher voltage if you're running in series vs. strictly parallel. I have 4 panels and I run 2 in parallel and then the 2 sets in series for a total of 24 volts. It's actually higher than that most of the day - between 32 and 37 volts depending on the sunshine - I haven't seen my maximum voltage (in direct sunlight, at the perfect angle) yet, but so far, so good. I also don't know if this controller can handle 48 volts. I'm not saying it can't, but I've never seen the theoretical maximum that... » Read More Yes, to run more panels, I'm no pro, but from what I've found with this unit is that you can run higher voltage if you're running in series vs. strictly parallel. I have 4 panels and I run 2 in parallel and then the 2 sets in series for a total of 24 volts. It's actually higher than that most of the day - between 32 and 37 volts depending on the sunshine - I haven't seen my maximum voltage (in direct sunlight, at the perfect angle) yet, but so far, so good. I also don't know if this controller can handle 48 volts. I'm not saying it can't, but I've never seen the theoretical maximum that this controller can handle. Like I said, I'm not a pro - and I'm still learning. Be careful out there :) « Show Less
306604
If there are only 2 (12 Volt) panels; you could put both wires in the "solar panel" connectors. For more panels I would suggest you get wire nuts. Wire nuts allow you to connect many panels together (in parallel) without any wires slipping out. The kind of wire nut is the bolt kind, a slotted screw with a nut to crimp a few wires together for a tight electrical bond. Have a thicker gage wire going from the wire nuts (+ & -) to the controller.
1056068
Dear customer, you will need a branch connector if you want connect two panels in parallel.You can find the product here:http://www.amazon.com/Branch-Connectors-Connector-Solar-Panel/dp/B00BCWRB48/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid;=1376241228&sr;=8-2&k;eywords=MC4+Branch+connectorYou will also a Adaptor cable from the MC4 branch connector/MC4 connector to the charge controller. The length is to be decided by you. Thanks.
1425219
it keeps my battery charged and it has a red light that blinks on low sunlight and runs steady on full sunlight. the light goes out at night. I believe it does block discharge at night.the panel is poly not mono so parts of it might look different but still puts out 10w of power.
933678
honestly i havent set mine up yet but my plan is to hook it up to an inverter then plug a charger into the inverter. but sadly i havent had time to mess with it yet. the inverter will protect your battery from overload though i do know that. it changes the current from direct to alternating so it will become just like a wall socket when there is adequate sunshine. but honestly solar has a ton of ways to hook it up and it all depends on what you want to use it for. youtube has a million different explainations of how it can be used for different things and thats just one source. if you can respond im curious what you plan to use it for? honestly i havent set mine up yet but my plan is to hook it up to an inverter then plug a charger into the inverter. but sadly i havent had time to mess with it yet. the inverter will protect your battery from overload though i do know that. it changes the current from direct to alternating so it will become just like a wall socket when there is adequate sunshine. but honestly solar has a ton of ways to hook it up and it all depends on what you want to use it for. youtube has a million different explainations of how it can be used for different things and thats just one source. if you can... » Read More honestly i havent set mine up yet but my plan is to hook it up to an inverter then plug a charger into the inverter. but sadly i havent had time to mess with it yet. the inverter will protect your battery from overload though i do know that. it changes the current from direct to alternating so it will become just like a wall socket when there is adequate sunshine. but honestly solar has a ton of ways to hook it up and it all depends on what you want to use it for. youtube has a million different explainations of how it can be used for different things and thats just one source. if you can respond im curious what you plan to use it for? « Show Less
186554
It is my understanding, the purpose and design of the controller is to prevent discharge of the battery at low solar panel outputso No you do not need diode.
830728
It's rated at 20amp. Each of these panels are rated at 5.7amps. It should handle 2 panels, perhaps 3. I would think 4 panels would begin to limit the amperage. You can also use multiple charge controllers rather than trying to attach a larger array of panels to a single controller.
1447154
I'm a little unsure of your question but by "these" if you mean controllers, I would assume you have solar panels exceeding the 40 amp capacity of a single controller. I think you could connect any number of them you wanted to in parallel each controlling its own set of solar panels. At some point I suppose you could reach the limit of your battery bank's ability to accept any more current though.
1332100
The charge control can handle up to 7A. Your 30 watt panel puts out ~1.68A at high noon. You should be fine with one charge controller charging two or more batteries and it would require more charge time. Just make sure you hook up your batteries correctly. Personally and for convenience I would much prefer to get two charge controller with two solar panels for the two batteries so that I could avoid having to move and or reconnect the batteries. A larger solar panel can would benefit you quite a bit if you need to drawn power from the battery each night. Hope you are using deep cycle batteries.
727854
Because my application does a lot of switching, I opted to use them as pilot relays for larger, power relays. I can't say that I've ever seen a relay heat sinked, but my concern with the higher current levels was contact pitting. Using them at their limit could cause pitting and therefore even more resistance and heat.
1722744
From memory, I think it's three. Although in my case, even on a cool day in summer, I was never seeing these panels hit their stated max output, so I went ahead and connected up four, wiring them as two sets of two panels in series, with the outputs from each set connected together in parallel to try and keep voltage down and amps up (which allows the controller to do less converting and therefore perform more efficiently). Needed the extra capacity to make winter. Do note that this set up could definitely overdrive the controller on a cool, sunny day if things are operating at peak, so make sure to fuse correctly after checking the max input rating of the controller. From memory, I think it's three. Although in my case, even on a cool day in summer, I was never seeing these panels hit their stated max output, so I went ahead and connected up four, wiring them as two sets of two panels in series, with the outputs from each set connected together in parallel to try and keep voltage down and amps up (which allows the controller to do less converting and therefore perform more efficiently). Needed the extra capacity to make winter. Do note that this set up could definitely overdrive the controller on a cool, sunny day if things are... » Read More From memory, I think it's three. Although in my case, even on a cool day in summer, I was never seeing these panels hit their stated max output, so I went ahead and connected up four, wiring them as two sets of two panels in series, with the outputs from each set connected together in parallel to try and keep voltage down and amps up (which allows the controller to do less converting and therefore perform more efficiently). Needed the extra capacity to make winter. Do note that this set up could definitely overdrive the controller on a cool, sunny day if things are operating at peak, so make sure to fuse correctly after checking the max input rating of the controller. « Show Less
1955409
I have five 100 watt panels now, wired together with MC4 split connectors and running 25 feet to my charge controller. My panels have a working voltage of 18.5V. That gives me 5.5 amp per panel in direct sun. In total I get 27 - 28 amps on a clear day. I have no problem with voltage drop but I am now max'd out on my 30 amp charge controller and the 10 guage wire. If you have a larger system than that you will need heavier wire, unless your panels operate at a higher voltage, wich would lower your amps. As long as you are under 30 amp this wire works great. I hope this helps. Dan
1680258
From My experience the "30 amp" Sunforce controller is not robust enough for the output of the 4 158 Watt panels. I had to buy an Outback controller. Because there does not seem to be a good inexpensive controller in the realm of 30 to 60 amps out there. You could get 2 controllers and split the panels. A little more info on the Sunforce controller, they die quietly for the most part, and there are some Websites out there that may have figured out a way to beef up the controller. The world of solar is very seductive and can suck your wallet dry in minutes... or months. If you are just trying to supplement your home use, and do not need power at night, you should consider getting a 500 watt grid tie inverter. During the day the inverter will produce power, and run reduce the speed of the electric meter, if it makes more than you are using it will run the meter backwards.They plug right into the house, and they have island protection, meaning that if the power goes out the inverter stop. Amazon has them,
1680257
Leon-I have had two sets of two 145W panels running through my two Sun-Force Controllers since Jan 2013 and have had no problems. The directions on the box say that they can handle up to 440w ea. and I'm at 290W. I plan on hooking one more 145W panel to each of my two controllers so I'll then have 435W on ea. panel? I'll see what happens. I have been very happy with my setup and I bought all of it through Amazon. As I saw mentioned in one or more of the other responses, I would run two panels to one controller like I have not four to one controller. Good luck