2x fold out solar panels

[heaths_gu]

I'm sorry if this question has already been asked - I did try searching, but couldnt find anything related.

I have a 120w fold out panel with alligator clips and a 140w fold out panel with an anderson plug, each with their own controller. My question is;

Can I use both at the same time connected to the battery of my camper trailer?

Cheers,
Heath

[the evil twin]

Connect both Panels thru the one controller... Yes (make sure teh Controller will handle the current)

Each thru a seperate controller connected to the same battery or battery bank... No point (both Regs can no longer "see" the battery)

Edit... My bad, tried to answer in one line what would normally take 300 pages.

Yes you can, nothing will blow up or whatever... there is just not a lot to be gained 99% of the time.
If the Regs are set up correctly as master/slave or you run matched sytems etc. (many Regs are capable of this) you can get excellent gains.
On the low end of the market the charging algorithms in Solar Regs mean they are looking for a battery to charge.
Hook another cheap Reg in there and now instead of a battery terminal voltage and a particular resistance the Regs see each other and the dominant one will do what work it can while the other has a bludge.
That is without even factoring in the Panel outputs and specs

[heaths_gu]

Thanks for the info.

The plan is to buy a decent 20A controller - It just wont happen before I go away.

[MudRunnerTD]

Thanks for the info.

The plan is to buy a decent 20A controller - It just wont happen before I go away.

Then your 140w should keep up with plenty of that's all you can use. I use a 120w and will run my fridge non stop without trouble. Running LED Lights take nothing.

[heaths_gu]

Then your 140w should keep up with plenty of that's all you can use. I use a 120w and will run my fridge non stop without trouble. Running LED Lights take nothing.

The 140 came with the camper and I already had the 120. At the moment I only have one fridge, but I will be getting a second down the track.

[Nightjar]

Connect both Panels thru the one controller... Yes (make sure teh Controller will handle the current)

Each thru a seperate controller connected to the same battery or battery bank... No (the Regs can no longer "see" the battery)

Are you sure about this?
My understanding is;

You can mix MPPT and PWM controllers. Both look at battery voltage and adjust their output accordingly. One will inevitably be the "dominant" controller. I've never heard of any mix of controllers causing any real problems?
Very interested to read your explanation because I currently have a PVM + 64W permanent panel on vehicle and a MPPT + 120W fold up portable (plugged in when free camping) connected to the same single battery.
This battery is also charged by alternator when travelling, separated with solenoid when parked up.

[GU CAMPER]

I'm also interested in this as I have 2 X 120w fold out solar panels that each have a reg which I connect together via Anderson double plug. Then plug it into my single battery in camper which also has a solar charge controller which is a fungpusun brand I think. Is this ok to do?
The panels are the Projecta 120w fold out panels

I also sometimes have one panel connected straight to ute which doesn't have a solar charge controller. Is that ok?

Cheers Andy

[threedogs]

With the permanent panel mounted on your roof have you got the controller near the Aux battery.
I have a spare 80watt panel Im thinking of mounting on the roof rack to charge my aux battery.
I do have a 50 amp anderson plug for camp off,,,, the aux battery
@ GU camper if you dont have a controller on your panel then imo
you will leak AH back out the panel overnight

[heaths_gu]

I dont know much about solar, but i think if you hooked a panel directly to your battery without a controller you would be pumping up to 17 volts straight to your battery.

I'm guessing it would destroy your battery over time?

[Nightjar]

With the permanent panel mounted on your roof have you got the controller near the Aux battery.
I have a spare 80watt panel Im thinking of mounting on the roof rack to charge my aux battery.
I do have a 50 amp anderson plug for camp off,,,, the aux battery
@ GU camper if you dont have a controller on your panel then imo
you will leak AH back out the panel overnight

ThreeDogs- Yes both the PVM & the MPPT are close to the battery under tray of ute.
GU - You will cook your battery or worse without a controller, not all controllers prevent feedback at night. If your panel doesn't have a "blocking diode" you will need to solder one in place.