Quote:
Originally Posted by Scalf77
...You could get away with the 20 amp controller in many cases, but I couldn't actually recommend you to do that. A lot would depend on the specs of the controller.
-greg
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Well, each of the (2) 100-watt Renogy panels on the top of the van have an Optimum Operating Current (Imp) of 5.70 amps, and the 100-watt Renogy suitcase array that I would buy has a Maximum Operating Current (Imp) of 5.56A, and together these add up to less than 20 amps, which is the rating of the Renogy CMD 20 controller.
Below are the specs of the controller itself...
Model CMD-20
Nominal system voltage 12V/24V Auto Recognition
Rated Battery Current 20A
Rated Load Current 20A
Max. PV Input Short Current 25A
Max. Battery Voltage 32V
Max Solar Input Voltage 150 VDC
Max. Solar Input Power 12V @ 260W
Self-Consumption ≤50mA @ 12V
Charge circuit voltage drop ≤ 0.26V
Discharge circuit voltage drop ≤ 0.15V
Temp. Compensation -5mV/°C/2V (default)
Would you still recommend an upgrade to a 30 amp controller, or would this one do?
On the other hand, what is the downside to just buying a 100-watt suitcase array with its own controller and hooking it up directly to the battery array independently of the rooftop system, as was suggested by another responder?
I'm looking at cost here, too, and the suitcase system with a controller is about the same price as the Renogy 30 amp controller alone
I really appreciate your input.
\Paul