Connecting MPPT's in Series

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aboveaverageant asked Apr 13, '22

Connecting MPPT's in Series

Hi everyone, I'm trying to use two different MPPT's for my solar panel set up. My panels are 6A and 150V total. I'm planning on having two different arrays of roughly 6A each of 100V and 50V connected to two different MPPTs. I was just wondering if putting the two MPPTs in series with each other would be an okay idea and what if anything I would need to do to do this?

The reason why I have to use two is that the MPPTs have a much lower wattage rating than the array of 600W and 400W each. I understand that having them be in parallel is a much more optimal solution but I can't do that since I'm using two different MPPTs with different voltage outputs.

The two MPPTs I'm using are https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/smartsolar-mppt-75-10-75-15-100-15-100-20#victronconnect-downloads and https://www.emarineinc.com/AERL-RACEMAX-MAXIMIZER-MPPT-Solar-Car-Controller-600B. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

MPPT Controllers VictronConnect Solar Panel

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Answer 1 · 2022-04-14T06:37:43Z

pau1phi11ips answered · Apr 14, 2022 at 06:37 AM

No idea about the other brand but the Victron MPPT can handle higher wattage panels and just clip to the max current it can handle, UP TO A POINT. Maybe 10-15% extra, i wouldn't push it more than that.

Connecting them in series to a battery is definitely not a good idea!

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aboveaverageant commented · Apr 15, 2022 at 01:57 AM

Great, thanks so much for your help. I'll probably just stick with the one MPPT then.

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Answer 2 · 2022-04-14T22:46:45Z

Sarah answered · Apr 14, 2022 at 10:46 PM

The AERL looks like a very specific type of MPPT controller for high battery voltage environments….

Not sure what your current circumstances are and battery voltages but for optimum performance using the Victron products I would suggest two MPPT controllers, with identical configuration, configured to synchronise their charge using VE.Smart Bluetooth network.

Agree fully with @pau1phi11ips connecting them in series is not a good idea.

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aboveaverageant commented · Apr 15, 2022 at 01:56 AM

Great thank you so much for your help much appreciated. My battery voltage is around 140V, to large for the Victron MPPT to handle. I'll probably just stick with the one.

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