Multiple Charge Controllers One Battery Bank: MPPT and PWM

🎁Get 7 FREE diagrams to kickstart your Off-Grid journey! View and get them here: cleversolarpower.com/free-dia... 🎁
Get the book: cleversolarpower.com/off-grid...
Link to my website: cleversolarpower.com/
Link to wiring batteries video: • Wiring Batteries in Se...
Link to the written article: cleversolarpower.com/multiple...
In this video, I delve into the intricate world of harnessing multiple charge controllers for a single battery system. This discussion is pivotal for anyone aiming to augment their solar panel setup, assimilate panels of diverse specifications, or efficiently navigate shading problems.
Throughout this tutorial, we'll dissect scenarios where employing multiple charge controllers not only becomes feasible but yields significant benefits. We'll dispel prevalent myths surrounding the use of multiple solar charge controllers and elucidate how they seamlessly collaborate without direct communication. The crux of their synergy lies in the adept interpretation of the battery's state of charge, deduced from its internal resistance.
I'll guide you through the setup process of wiring multiple charge controllers in parallel to a single battery bank. This is particularly useful for those wishing to expand their solar array with additional panels, utilizing an extra charge controller to enhance the power fed to the battery.
A crucial focus of this video is on managing the equalization charge of lead-acid batteries when interfacing with multiple MPPT charge controllers with one battery. It's vital to ensure that the equalization task is assigned to a single controller to avert the risk of overcharging and potential damage to the battery.
Moreover, I emphasize the significance of calibrating your solar system to the capacity of your battery. For instance, pairing a 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery with a 20A charge controller is optimal. However, introducing another 20A charge controller necessitates reconfiguring your battery setup to accommodate the amplified charging current without compromising the battery's integrity.
Further, we'll explore the impact of cable lengths from the charge controllers to the battery bank and its influence on the efficiency of systems involving multiple solar charge controllers to a single battery bank.
By the end of this presentation, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to adeptly utilize multiple charge controllers one battery bank, ensuring you adeptly calculate your battery's charge C-rate. For those employing lead-acid batteries, a pivotal reminder is to activate the equalization function exclusively on one controller. This guide is indispensable for anyone considering the integration of multiple solar charge controllers, whether for expansion or optimization of their solar power system.

[@cleversolarpower]

🎁Get 7 FREE diagrams to kickstart your Off-Grid journey! View and get them here: cleversolarpower.com/free-diagrams/ 🎁

[@GlobalSolarEnergyPakistan]

Good demonstration with proof of calculations.❤

[@sempertard]

Nick, you have single handedly hit upon nearly every solar question I have ever had, including all of these "what if" scenarios. I may never connect multiple charge controllers to one battery bank. I may never combine the A/C outputs of two or more inverters capable of doing so, but then again, I might. But what is just as important, is gaining the insight into the characteristics of these components. That comfortable feeling of being in the ballpark of knowing what to expect is priceless. These videos are pure gold. I snagged your book off of AMZ.

[@cleversolarpower]

Thank you for your comment. I do appreciate it as it keeps me making more content like this. 🙏

[@The_Resistance_1961]

An excellent video which answered pretty much all my questions, and gave me some info I didn't know. I'm subbed.

[@timgiddens9799]

Thank you so much! This is such a helpful video!

[@eddiepires3998]

very helpful. Clearly explained

[@user-wm4xd6rb8v]

Thank you for your answers to my question my friend

[@stevemcmahon974]

Thanks, very useful information!

[@808pathfinder]

This subject can be tricky but you dumb it down nicely so I can understand more about these systems, ty👍

[@cleversolarpower]

Thanks!

[@waynehobbs5175]

Excellent thank you

[@petermizon4344]

Very good explanation, I'm wiser now lol

[@mapbike]

Just ordered your book so looking forward to the shared knowledge you give in this book, this will help me get my off grid cabin setup and maybe I can help some friends also.

[@cleversolarpower]

Thanks for your support! Send me an email if you have questions.

[@mapbike]

@@cleversolarpower Thank you very much.

[@tombouie]

Thks

[@rongray4118]

Subscribed

[@jhonelpernito9570]

nice

[@ihavehotmail2]

Great explanation and diagrams. Now I have to learn about c-rate of batteries, do you have a video ?

[@cleversolarpower]

Yes, check it out on the channel page using the search function.

[@wasistgluckeineformelfurgl7327]

Ich habe insgesamt 6 Laderegler parallel geschaltet. Es funktioniert ohne Probleme.

[@cleversolarpower]

Lucky you! (Just kidding) Of course it works 😉

[@takkikayo]

Can i use two different type of scc on a 200 Ah lifepo4 batteries if so do you have diagram ? And how to calibrate?

[@papagiannis8235]

Hello. I have a photovoltaic system with 4 panels 340w and 4 panels 275w. at 340w I have a pwm regulator and at 275 an mppt regulator. I supply 24v batteries but the regulator mppts the 4 panel 275 no feeder at all. what should i improve in my system thanks you

[@NYCamper62]

I have 4x agm batteries, would you say the 1 controller for equalize still applies?

[@moto-rambler]

Thanks for the video. It would've been more helpful to see where circuit breakers or fuses would go in the wiring diagrams you provided.

[@cleversolarpower]

Thanks, I have made a video especially about fusing a solar system. Checkout my channel for more information.

[@brandonhayes19]

Thanks for the super detailed video, this answered most of the questions I have been searching for weeks to find! The only thing left I am wondering is do I have to match the amperage of my current charge controller? I just upgraded my tv battery from one 65ah lead acid to 2 100ah lifepo4 batteries. I have a 200w panel with a 30a charge controller currently, I am looking to add another charge controller to a suitcase panel that I can move into the sunlight as needed. Does the suitcase panel charge controller also have to be 30a or can I install a 10a or a 20a with no issues? Thank you in advance for any insight!

[@cleversolarpower]

You don't have to increase the current of your charger. It will just take longer to charge the battery. However, you need to get a charger suitable for lithium batteries. As far as the charge controller, it doesn't need to have the same current. Watch my video about sizing a charge controller.

[@ekeretteekpo3004]

Thank you for the video. I would like to remark on MPPT controllers, particularly that they come with preset configurations for different kinds of batteries. I would think that the default for different types of batteries should rightly have taken into consideration their C rates and therefore control the charging suitably. No?

[@cleversolarpower]

The charge controllers are only regulated for their charging parameters, not the capacity (Ah) of the battery they are charging. The highest current charge/discharge is mostly from the inverters, not the solar panels.

[@kkp8398]

Thanks for the great video. Practical question. I have 2x 20a mppt i want to connect them to a 250ah battery. How should I practically do that? Connect both mppt's to the battery-poles? Or first bring them together, and then with one set of wires to the battery?

[@cleversolarpower]

There is a max limit on connections to battery terminals. This is a maximum of 3. If you have more, then bring them to a busbar.

[@rongray4118]

What would you suggest for an Absolyte GX 2,000 Amp hour/48 volt VRLA for charging OFF GRID with generator support? I have to make all the connection plates for this unit as well.

[@cleversolarpower]

I'm not sure what your question is. I have a video about generators in the making.

[@rongray4118]

@@cleversolarpower in regard to charging such a large VRLA - how many charge controllers would a person be limited to for charging purposes. We are on a mountaintop and roof space is limited but multiple stationary arrays with separate controllers may be able to solve our problem without having to purchase one or more trackers. I thought the price had come down on trackers but the price is still quite high.

[@ilamalihilustan22]

What current MPPT controller is recommended for 24v 200ah LifePo4 battery?

[@cleversolarpower]

Basically any MPPT that has a charging profile for lifepo4 batteries and work with 24V. Some brand names that come to mind are Epever, Victron, Renogy

[@cinnamonoctopus]

Do both charge controllers have to be of the same rate?

[@cleversolarpower]

No, they can charge at different currents. Of course they have to be the same voltage. It's the same as a charger from shore and a charge controller combined. The battery will take all the energy it can, even if it comes from multiple sources.

[@johnblack9473]

Hi I got a 300 watt solar blanket that I use on my 120ah lithium I want to get another solar blanket around 300-400 watt I don’t want to join them preferably just use another regulator for the other solar blanket will I have to use any fuses for this or it will be fine and the wires that go to the battery can I join them?

[@cleversolarpower]

You dont need to fuse the solar panels. However, you need to fuse the wires going from the charge controller to the battery. Let's say your charge controller is 20A, then you need to use the following fuse: 20A*1.25=25A or higher. Then use a wire which is suited to carry 25A or more.

[@Dylon1981]

I read somewhere that modern charge controllers (MPPT/PWM) can automatically detect the type of battery connected and they will automatically provide what voltage and current needed. is it true?

[@cleversolarpower]

Not true. They can only detect voltage, not battery type.

[@mygadgetzhaiqal7410]

Can i use different charge controller brand to charge the same battery ?

[@cleversolarpower]

Yes

[@baladanladiabraham6734]

Can i connect 4× tubular batteries in parallel,2× inverter in parallel, and 2× same charge controller in parallel in it possible?

[@cleversolarpower]

Yes you can.

[@Rayz3ON]

Hello, here's an interesting question. what if you have one controller 12v pwm and another 24v connected mppt to 12v system? Is it possible/safe? What are the issues that can arise?

[@cleversolarpower]

If you have a lithium battery with bms it will disconnect the battery. If you have a lead acid, it will cook it.

[@sebastianarceo7662]

Hi, I just want to ask if it is possible to have 2 charge controller for Hybrid of Hydro and Solar? Charging only 1 battery

[@cleversolarpower]

I don't have experience with hydro, But it should be possible since its also a charging option.

[@SaeedSolution]

Nice❤ I have same problem my solar panel junction box over heat and burn wire I have one battery and 2 charging source 1st is 3 solar panel in parallel 2nd is ups connect I think this is the reason of burning wire of pv modules no breaker installed between pv and charge controler

[@cleversolarpower]

Yes always have a fuse or breaker installed on every wire. The fuse protects the wire from catching fire, that's it's first use.

[@dPFarmville]

Hi, I have a novice question. How do I disable equalization on my lead acid battery? I have a 20a mppt solar charge controller connected to 220W (100W & 120W) panels and 100ah battery. I don’t seem to understand why my battery keeps overcarging reaching 16.1V at full sun.🥺

[@cleversolarpower]

If you cannot disable it in the settings you can adjust the voltage level of the equalization function. Set that to the normal charging voltage for 100% charging.

[@ekeretteekpo3004]

Kindly check your charger settings. Consult the manual and configure the charging to suit your type of lead acid battery. On mine I can choose between Sealed, Flooded, Lithium and Custom. So far, I have monitored the charging hourly and it seems to comply with the specifications from the manufacturer for my flooded lead acid battery. If yours is showing greater than 15, that's overcharging, especially if it stays that way for longer than 20 minutes. I learned that higher voltage charging tends to occur for equalisation purposes and this shouldn't take long (less than an hour).

[@user-wm4xd6rb8v]

I see where you say a 20A controller can charge a 100A deep cycle lead battery, but I have a 6v deep cycle 225AH battery and my 100A controller won't work with it why? The pannel I am using is 590w /12v

[@cleversolarpower]

You need to have a 12V battery to use with a 12V charge controller. It won't work with a 6V battery.

[@user-wm4xd6rb8v]

@@cleversolarpower thank you very much for the clarification. would i be right in thinking that if I hook up booth 6v's together the 100A controller should charge both, what would be the best way to properly connect the 2 batteries together? forgive my illiteracy on this matter as it is my first time with solar systems. I bought another 100A controller as I don't think one controller can manage the 450AH when both batteries (225AH) combined as one

[@markrosinski4814]

Amps your controller can handle shold be bigger than amps from your solar panels. Your solar panels 590w div 12v =~50A. What it means is that your batteries will be charged with 50A maximum minus some losses . Your 100A controller will handle 50A with ease@@user-wm4xd6rb8v

[@adex2000ng]

@@user-wm4xd6rb8v connect the 2 batteries in series. That will increase the Voltage to 12v which is suitable for your Charge Controller

[@ihavehotmail2]

Connect both 6v in series to increase the voltage to 12v. But the amp hours will not increase even tho you have 2 100ah batteries when in series together they will only produce 100ah @12v