Question about running two different solar panels?

[Cesna Jeeper]

Good evening peeps!

I bought one of those suitcase style fold up solar panels that have a controller built into it. Now my question here, is if I want to mount a permanent solar panel that is always out on my roof which would run into its own MPPT controller, then to the batteries. Now my suitcase one will be for days that I'm using extra power, can that plug directly in the batteries seeing it has it's own controller OR should I put that behind the controller?

Thank you for the help!

 

[llamalander]

Straight to the batteries, after a fuse at the controller. Generally mixing panels on the same controller will bring down the yield to the lowest panel's rating.
If you can afford a controller for each type of panel you have, they will each feed the battery at the best available rate.
There may be plenty of times you have your roof panels shaded and the portable in the full sun.

 

[john61ct]

The ideal is that each panel gets its own SC.

With MPPT panels over say 40Voc rating will get a better boost in output compared to PWM.

and you really want exact same matching panels if you run multiple panels per SC.

In either case the SC should be right at the bank. Most that are included in a kit suck pretty bad.

Victron SmartSolar are brilliant value, very flexible, 75/15 only $120 or so, can service 250W even 300W overpaneled.

 

[OllieChristopher]

Victron SmartSolar are brilliant value, very flexible, 75/15 only $120 or so, can service 250W even 300W overpaneled.

How very true!! I have a 50 watt single panel for maintaining my dual batteries and I've found the 75/15 works perfectly. For fun I hooked up my my Jackery Solar Generator with my Rockpals 100 watt suitcase paralleled with my 50 watt panel and it charges my 300 amp Solar Generator in about 3.5 hours from dead!!

I simply plug my 300 watt pure sign inverter into my DC socket in truck and plug both 60 watt "C" socket and power brick into the solar generator. The solar panels charged up not only my solar generator but my dual battery bank as well!!

I highly recommend the Victron products. And I cannot say enough good about my Jackery 300 watt solar generator. It came as a complete package with a 100 watt with Rockpals solar panel suitcase and charging system. It is very easy to service as well. I doubt I'll ever have to. The batteries are rated for an amazing 500 cycles from bone dead and still have 80% charge.