Existing system: 365w pv, MPPT 30/100, 2x Victron 160AH LiFeP04 Smart Lithium Batteries 12V, Victron Connect etc..
Planning on adding 400w of portable panels (parallel) and changing to 50/100 controller.
Newbie questions: 1. Does this set up make sense? 2. Beyond adding the panel connections and switching out the controller, will there any additional steps I need to do with BMS, Victron Connect or any thing else?
Advice is appreciated
You have to be careful adding panels in parallel, they will need to have the same Vmp as the original panel. If they are different the higher voltage panel will get dragged down to the voltage of the other panel losing potential output. See the series parallel calculator. A similar problem occurs if the panels are receiving different light levels. The better option may be to add a second MPPT just for the new panels.
Regarding the BMS then you need to make sure the new MPPT is connected to the charge control of the BMS. Nothing further can be said unless you provide details of which BMS you have and how it is currently wired.
Thank you for the reply. This is very helpful .
I thinking that adding the 100/50 MPPT for the new panels is the best option in my case. I assume I would make the same connections as the existing controller (neg to battery, pos to Battery Protect). BMS is connected to Smart Battery Protect 12/24-100. VE Bus BMS 10 R-05 4003
Wire it the same as the existing one as you have said and the BMS + Smart Battery Protect will stop the chargers when necessary.
Thank you so much!!!