adding a 3rd panel

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bobdog
bobdog Solar Expert Posts: 192 ✭✭
I have 2 KC130s in parallel and am going to add another KD 135 to the mix. Since I have a PWM CC and everything is already wired to the CC from the panels, running in series and using a MPPT CC is not an option right now. So, 2 questions.

1) Do I need a bypass diode in between each panel?
2) I plan on putting an inline fuse between each panel. Is that appropriate to do? The fuses will be 10 amp in size.

Thanks.

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,446 admin
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    Re: adding a 3rd panel

    You do not need to add any diodes.

    Yes, you now need to add a fuse to each panel whose value based on the data sheet (usually called the "Series Fuse").

    And the parallel Imp/Isc of the array should not exceed the specifications of the PWM controller.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
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    Re: adding a 3rd panel

    max fuse size as per specs here = 15A
    http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/wind-sun/KD135GX-LPU.pdf

    Eric
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
  • bobdog
    bobdog Solar Expert Posts: 192 ✭✭
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    Re: adding a 3rd panel

    Thanks folks. That's what I needed confirmed.