Additional strings

yodbar

After combining 3 strings in a combiner box is it ok to put all that power on just one line into the inverter. To give some history, I have a solar edge 10kw inverter and 2 strings of 18 for a total of 36 panels at 280 watts a piece. Checking with solar edge they say I can go up to a max of 12.25 kw and it won't be a problem. I bought 7 panels at 330 and took 3 panels off each of the 2 existing strings and combined them in a combiner box. My question is can I now run the single existing wire that has been combined from the 3 strings and run it into 1 of the 2 existing openings? 

littleharbor2

Do you have the Solar Edge optimizers connected? A combiner box is for raw DC voltage from the panels. Optimizers have a proprietary trunk cable which as far as I know you wouldn't be using a combiner box on. Maybe things have changed with Solar edge?

Photowhit

Likely, You don't give specs for the panels, but in series they will have the same amperage, just the voltage increases. So check the current coming from 1 panel and add it to the the other strings and check the wire gauge and see if it meets the NEC code for ampacity of that gauge wire;



BTW - yodbar said:

 I bought 7 panels at 330 and took 3 panels off each of the 2 existing strings and combined them in a combiner box. 

This might not be a good idea. The strings likely should be similar size and the voltage 30% above the line voltage you are feeding after losses.