DC Solar Trailer set up with 10 extra panels.

[UpNorthMan]

With fluctuations of voltage and Amps.I would consider checking all your connections.  It sounds like something might be loose or corroded. Just a thought. Not sure if it would be pv or battery side.
Ed

[Vic]

I'm reading my SOC off of my inverter not the classic sorry I didn't make that clear I don't think it has the wiz bang jr. I only see absorb on my classic when my generator is running and charging my batteries and that's controlled through my inverter as well.

My absorb time setting on the classic is 2hrs and EQ is 1 hour not sure if that's anywhere near what it should be that's where it was set when I bought the trailer.  And to answer an earlier question I do not have a way to check the electrolyte in my batteries.

All the setting on this trailer for the most part were set when I bought it I wonder if I would benefit any from going through the start up wizard that first shows up when you install a new classic. Any thoughts on that?

I've been looking through different configurations or my modules to get the 3 separate sections I'm running to be as similar to each other as possible. The best case of three sets of 6 would put me running  180V , right close to 50A, 4500 watts coming in if all conditions were perfect? Is that a realistic amount of power coming in to charge my two batteries? If not what would you recommend?

An Absorb time of 2  -  3 hours would be customary for these batteries,  but,  the Depth OF Discharge (DOD) of the battery in the previous discharge has a large impact on the needed Absorb time. And, higher the Absorb voltages, would reduce the needed Absorb time.

Strings of six of either brand of solar panels (PVs) should be fine,  and you have found a near-perfect match, with those Canadian Solar ones.

You will want to find a fairly good Hydrometer, or Refractometer, to check the battery SGs, of each cell. after you feel that the battery is about as fully-charged as you can get it.  If using a Hydrometer,  and the battery is fairly warm/HOT,  there is a small temperature compensation,  needed to correct those readings.

An Auto Parts store  Hydro, with a bulb,  glass outer tube, and glass float, with numbers on the float, should be fine as a starting point.

Make a battery Logbook, to record settings,  SGs,  Distilled Water useage, and so on.

You sill want to letter batteries, and number the cells of each battery, and makr them (somehow), to keep track of trends, and results of changes in settings, etc.

Always rinse your Hydro several times with Distilled Water after SG measuring sessions  --  this will preserve its accuracy.

More later, Good Luck,  Vic

[Cking11]

Thank you again for the help I will check all my connections.

I will also change up my set up to sets of 6 or if I can get my hands on another Canadian solar panel I'll do 3 sets of 7.if I can get 4 more panels maybe I can run four sets of 6

I'll pick up a hydrometer. So should I set my absorb to 4 or 5 hours then since my power from my pànels

[Vic]

Thank you again for the help I will check all my connections.

I will also change up my set up to sets of 6 or if I can get my hands on another Canadian solar panel I'll do 3 sets of 7.if I can get 4 more panels maybe I can run four sets of 6

I'll pick up a hydrometer. So should I set my absorb to 4 or 5 hours then since my power from my panels ...

An Absorb time, of 4, or even 5 hours,  should be fine, now.  Later, when you have the added PVs online, you should not need that much time for Asorb.

Good Luck, in finding more PVs,   Vic

[Cking11]

Sounds good thank you for the help

[Manny4514]

Hey guys. I have a same issue. My customer wants to add 10 extra panels but we have 360 watt panels. Do I need to change the controller as stated in to the classic 200? I have everything ready to go I just want to make sure I have all the correct material before we go install. There is a classic 250 on site with the 2 6k inverters. 2 strings of 5 that look to be combined. They are ram with 2 15 amp breakers as well.

Can i need help on how to get this installed. Also should I face the new panels in a different direction if they are bigger panels then the trailer panels?  All info and help will be greatly appreciated.

[Manny4514]

This would be a total of 6200 watts on perfect conditions.

[Manny4514]

Can I add 10-360 watt panels to this system? 119v 51.2 amps total with additional panels

[ClassicCrazy]

Can I add 10-360 watt panels to this system? 119v 51.2 amps total with additional panels

Put your pv info in the Classic String calculator and it will tell you .
https://www.midnitesolar.com/sizingTool/
Larry

[boB]

I would say to use the Classic150 or Classic 200  since the panels are near the controller(s) and you will get more amps out with those than the 250.

IF you want to add more controllers that is.

boB