Solar regulator capacity question
 

I have 6 solar panels producing a total of 3,84 amp (.64x6). I want to
install one additional panel of .64 so to produce 4.48 amps. I am
concerned if the solar regulator will handle the additional amps. Here
is the information I have on the Morningstar regulator:

Rated Solar Input: 4.5 amp
Max Input (5 min): 5.5 amp
Short Circuit Rating: 5.5 amp

My solar capacity of 4.48 will be very close to the regulator stated
capacity of 4.5. Is this dangerous? If such is the case and since I
can not afford a bigger regulator at this time I will not get the much
needed additional solar panel. The solar panels are permanently
attached to the deck and it is unlikely that all seven panels will be
simultaneously exposed to full sun light. But it can happen. I have a
430 amp battery bank.

Please let me know if it safe to go ahead and install another solar
panel of .64 amp without changing the regulator. Thanks for your
wisdom. Roy )

Call MorningStar and ask their technical support rather than basing your
decision on what people in this forum think. I've found their support to
be very helpful.

-- Geoff

(Roy) wrote in news:35ba95df.0411080849.501fe116
@posting.google.com:

I have 6 solar panels producing a total of 3,84 amp (.64x6). I want to
install one additional panel of .64 so to produce 4.48 amps. I am
concerned if the solar regulator will handle the additional amps. Here
is the information I have on the Morningstar regulator:

Rated Solar Input: 4.5 amp
Max Input (5 min): 5.5 amp
Short Circuit Rating: 5.5 amp

My solar capacity of 4.48 will be very close to the regulator stated
capacity of 4.5. Is this dangerous? If such is the case and since I
can not afford a bigger regulator at this time I will not get the much
needed additional solar panel. The solar panels are permanently
attached to the deck and it is unlikely that all seven panels will be
simultaneously exposed to full sun light. But it can happen. I have a
430 amp battery bank.

Please let me know if it safe to go ahead and install another solar
panel of .64 amp without changing the regulator. Thanks for your
wisdom. Roy )

My guess is that you're fine. I rarely get more than 50% of the rated
capacity into a battery back at 12+V. You only get that when into a dead
load.

-- Geoff

(Roy) wrote in news:35ba95df.0411080849.501fe116
@posting.google.com:

I have 6 solar panels producing a total of 3,84 amp (.64x6). I want to
install one additional panel of .64 so to produce 4.48 amps. I am
concerned if the solar regulator will handle the additional amps. Here
is the information I have on the Morningstar regulator:

Rated Solar Input: 4.5 amp
Max Input (5 min): 5.5 amp
Short Circuit Rating: 5.5 amp

My solar capacity of 4.48 will be very close to the regulator stated
capacity of 4.5. Is this dangerous? If such is the case and since I
can not afford a bigger regulator at this time I will not get the much
needed additional solar panel. The solar panels are permanently
attached to the deck and it is unlikely that all seven panels will be
simultaneously exposed to full sun light. But it can happen. I have a
430 amp battery bank.

Please let me know if it safe to go ahead and install another solar
panel of .64 amp without changing the regulator. Thanks for your
wisdom. Roy )

Intially, on my last boat, I used a regulator, with similar capacity for two
56 watt panels into a small house battery bank. However, when I installed
the same panels on my present boat with a much larger bank (~800 AH), I
found I didn't even need the regulator since there was little risk that the
panels alone could ever bring the batteries to a full charge. What with the
demands of the boats normal loads. Full charge is normally only achieved
after several days of good wind for the wind generator or while running the
engine.

In my experience, any device, be it blocking diode or regulator will drop
the net voltage about a half amp per device. With solar panels this half
volt of the regulator can make a big difference when the sun angle is low
and the panel voltage is near that of the battery bank. Blocking diodes
remain necassary unless you do a manual disconnect when ever there isn't
enough sun to charge.

My experience and opinion, FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Geoff Schultz wrote in message . 17...
Call MorningStar and ask their technical support rather than basing your
decision on what people in this forum think. I've found their support to
be very helpful.

-- Geoff


Geoff, Thanks for the advice. I did just that. I found their support
e-mail address and I got a reply within minutes! I am impressed. Roy

Here is their reply:

"You should be OK. The SunGuard can handle full rated current with
comfortable design margin. Be sure to mount the SunGuard on a vertical
surface with a few inches above and below for air flow."