Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link): amzn.to/2Aj4dX4 If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first): 12V/48V Lithium Batteries: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-batteries.html Solar System Component Directory: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solarcomponents.html Plug-N-Play Systems: www.mobile-solarpower.com/full-size-systems.html Complete 48V System Kits: www.mobile-solarpower.com/complete-48v-solar-kits.html DIY Friendly Air Conditioner/ Heat Pumps: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-friendly-air-conditioners.html Complete 48V System Blueprint: www.mobile-solarpower.com/48v-complete-system-blueprint.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar and Coupon Codes: -Current Connected: SOK, Victron and High Quality Components. Best prices and warranty around: currentconnected.com/?ref=wp -Signature Solar: Cheap Server Rack Batteries and Large Solar Panels: www.signaturesolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Ecoflow Delta Official Site: My favorite plug-n-play solar generator: us.ecoflow.com/?aff=7 -AmpereTime: Cheapest 12V batteries around: amperetime.com/products/ampere-time-12v-100ah-lithium-lifepo4-battery?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Rich Solar: Mega site and cheaper prices than renogy! Check them out: richsolar.com/?ref=h-cvbzfahsek -Shop Solar Kits: Huge site with every solar kit you can imagine! Check it out: shopsolarkits.com/?ref=will-p -Battery Hookup: Cheap cell deals bit.ly/2mIxSqt 10% off code: diysolar -Watts 24/7: Best deals on all-in-one solar power systems, with customer support and distribution here in the USA: watts247.com/?wpam_id=3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Contact Information: I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :) DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

You're a genius Will! Keep up the good work man for you'll go very far in life! I've been through college for engineering, plus I work on electronics in the US Air Force, and I have learned more from you about solar systems than I ever have in school and through my entire AF career! Thank you!

Will, all of your videos are very good. But I have to say this video ranks right at the top because of how you explained so much valuable information in an easily digestible manner. Absolutely top notch effort. One other benefit that may have not been obvious is if your system starts out with a 20 amp solar charger and one day you need more amps, you can still use your old 20 amp charger and simply add another 20 amp solar charger to your system. Previously I would have thought I would need to junk the 20 amp charger and upgrade to a single 40 amp charger. So very helpful! Keep up the great work.

This is perfect, i have been hunting this answer for months. Glad i finally backtracked and found this video. I'd love to see the wiring diagram for this setup to make sure i understand it.

You have an amazing gift Will, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

I wish I could talk like you. I had to watch your video more than once because I couldn't focus on anything other than watching how easily you can say words with such grace and perfection.

Thank you. This was exactly what I was looking for. Connect all the solar charge controllers to a bus bar. Ideally one per panel. Put all of them near the bus bar so they see the same voltage. Then attach the battery(ies) and load to the bus bar. And with will also work if you attach a AC to DC and/or DC to DC charge controller(s) to the bus bar as well. Just need to have the same float and boost voltage setting. This includes petrol generator AC or DC to DC charge controllers and wind turbine charge controllers.

Thanks so much. I'm to learning this. I want to first set up a system for a camper and secondly set up a totaly off grid system on my daughters house. Your videos are very thorough and informative

Thank you Will. I think that answered my question about running a generator with my charge controller.

Wow. This is the best solar charger explanation I’ve ever seen. It actually answers all of my questions in one video, as I go out to buy another panel. Thanks Will!

This Is Very Interesting! The Info Was Huge And Very Informative. Heat And Cold Lead Acid Vs Lithium Ion Is Fascinating! Good Video!

Wow! You are the best youtuber on photovoltaic offgrid system

Very nice, I was wondering about that. I'm building a 400 watt / 200 Ah solar for a small 5th wheel. Putting the 4 panels on the roof and was thinking about a suitcase for those shady spots. This clears up my options for wiring the suitcase into the system. Thanks for the info!

Great video Will. I have always had two solar charge controllers connected to my battery bank. You are absolutely correct, no problems as long as the batteries can manage the charge. The reason for two is redundancy

another masterly exposition, great stuff Will

I just watched another video claiming that two SCC on one bank would fight one another. That was the first time I heard this and the video had an over 200k views. I am planning on two controllers for our boat and was concerned. But, Will to the rescue, as per the usual arrangement. Thanks a bunch! You are the definitive Solar Authority!

Thank you for putting my mind at rest on this subject. I can now improve my system to maximize my roof area for additional panels and minimizing the shading problem I have 👍

Great to know this info. I have trees in the back yard and more sun in the front AM. I could run 2 controllers on separate arrays in accordance also utilizing the best solar panels for their respective output for straight sun and partial shade. Great to know this. Thanks Will.

Valid answer to a valid question . Thanks again , Thanks All

Wow, someone on KZfaq that actually knows the subject they are talking about.. And without any ego.. Very informative video if you live off grid

Good Information! This solved my build with 12v solar system. 2 x 40ah MPPT Solar Charge Controller 4 x 120ah 12v Lead Acid Battery 4 x 320w pv panel 1 x 2kw 12v Pure Sine Wave Inverter

Hopefully, in 3 years I will start to understand SOME of the things Will is talking about. Thanks, Will that was one of my concerns of different solar arrays grabbing the sun from different angles.

Brilliant. This helped me with my query about using mismatched solar panels....but I will have to re watch a few times! Thanks Will.

It made plenty of sense and answered a lot of the questions traped in my head :D

Thanks Will, this is what I was looking for and the answer to the question I asked you yesterday. Now I have the answer and I see I can connect every charger to the same time to the battery, MPPT + dc-dc from alternator and even sore power charger. Thanks dude :)

Thank you Will I have ask my Rv dealer and the Rv manufacture of my Rv and their techs could not or would not give me any satisfaction about solar applications. Have watched many of your videos on batteries and solar information and you have helped me more than anyone, Thanks again!

Great information and interesting videos Will ! If I haven't said it yet having found your channel a while back now. It's like a master class in solar energy. Thank you very much !

Gr8 presentation, it gave this neophytes queries some clarity form the basics to a bit more advanced ones. We have a load of questions on Solar. Q1, Multiple controller charging one battery bank. Your comment at 00:45 covered that (10 or 20 controllers on one batt bank). We may be going 48v lith to pwr our Sol-ark 12k. For starters, we will have 5-PV on the East roof, 5-PV's on the west roof (more to be added on other building in time). We also wish to have a charging station for our 12v tractor batts. We will also like to hook up a pelton wheel on the 48v. A bank of 10 / 20 controllers answers a lot of questions.

Very nice, will. Exactly what's needed to show and prove. Good hint for the equalization (it can be deactivated on many controller)

Thanks ,only video I've found about multi controller going to same set of bats,I'm new to solar, setting up my first,great video s

The first rule about charge controller fight Club is.... Ask Will! And don't worry about it.

Thank you so much for answering this question. Very well explained. I just installed a 2nd mmpt solar controller and was sure it would work and was starting to 2nd guess myself.

I love your channel, you cut right thru all the crap ...and call BS and marketing hype and misinformation.

Thank you very much. All You’re videos are very informative but this one answered a question I was wondering about for some time.

Good job.I have 4 100w BB batteries with 2 360w panels. Thinking about adding more your timing was great. Thanks.

thanks a lot!!! everything you said about the myth..that was what I was made to believe.. now I know better.. again thanks a lot...

Hi Will! Great informative video! Keep up the good work my young friend.

Yes! I'm using 3 reongy 30amp, 1 is set at flooded and 2 are agm, no problems and yes I'm monitoring the distilled water. At best I show 14.2 volts at my batteries, 1200watt system. Any added help is always listened too. Thanks for your videos

Thanks Will, that answers my question I sent you last week. 👍✌

Great vid. When you gonna get into Wind Turbines, Kinetic-solar, Kinetic-aquatic and Electro-Static charging? It would add a twist to your excellent Solar vids.

Great stuff👍😀 very impressive presentation, very impressive.👏 thank you for sharing.

Thanks, I am old and new to solar, but using 5 charge controllers was what I thought was the best idea just for redundancy and if one or two go out I still have enough solar to do till I get them replaced. If one panel is shaded still have 4 others producing well.

Thank you! This was exactly the information I needed.

I would love you to build a cheap, light, good aero EV car conversion, from a car that is commonly available throughout the world. Looking forward to the painstaking step by step films, the best selling book, and the kits you sell!

Your videos are always very informative.

Well explained... Thank you ... I wish I had discovered this channel long ago

I have learned so much from your videos. Another awesome video. Thanks!

This video made my day, thanks for the explanation.

well time to break out my box of old controllers, thanks for the extra work

Great video! I asked renogy this same question and they said no. Do not connect separate charge controllers. I have 400 watts of hqst's and 100 watts of renogy. But i know my wanderer 30 amp pwm is only rated for 400 watts. So I wanted to put the 100 renogy on a 10 amp pwm but to the same bank. Thanks alot for showing the numbers! I've learned alot! It's not just taking your word for if. You actually show the numbers and let people decide if they agree or not!

Brilliant explanation Will. Was just grappling with this a few days ago. Ask the universe.... And Will will supply.

Another great presentation of knowledge relating to solar panels, charge controllers and battery types😎

This was exactly the video I needed to help me. Thank you.

This is exactly what i was looking for. Thanks for the info! Very well explained and easy to understand. Regards!.

I think this is a very powerful bit of information! This means that it is possible - and easy - to build a system in a modular fashion over time. For example, add 4 solar panels and a 20A MPPT every month until you achieve desired capacity. It also eliminates single points of failure! This is really exciting. Is my logic sound? (Like I have to ask folks to comment on KZfaq...)

Answered all my questions within the first 2 minutes, thanks!!

Great presentation and very informative... Thank you sharing; just subscribed.. God bless.

I think this is good. Supposed rambling was informative. Thanks for sharing

Will another great video keep up the great work love your videos Safe travels

Brilliant Explanation - Thank You..

Thank you you answered some questions I had

William you are so Awesome. Thanks...

Thanks for the information on 2 controllers

Great video! My question was, why the controllers need to communicate and coordinate? And, balancing of flooded lead-acid batteries was the answer. Thanks!

EXCELLENT VIDEO.. ☺ Well done Will.. Makes complete sense now..😎

THANK YOU now I understand

To enable any panel orientation and types sizes, etc, you can solve this by using X charge controllers, group panels by types, all the same orientation on one controller. Different type ans orientation to another controller, and you are good. So you can have morning panels, middle panels, and evening panels. (or 2x more panels oriented for winter for example) This way the max charge current will be lower but you will have more hours. This technique just works beautifully. If you live during the day, and use your main devices during the day, this enable going with a smaller battery and in the end, you've spent less on the whole system, even with the price added of several controllers. And go lithium. reclaimed 7s 18650 are good. 8s LiFe is even better. Lithium require monitoring at cell level, balancing once in a while only.

Great information! Thanks. Can you explain how to use xt-60 connectors that are not pre-made? Also what do you think of the Anderson power plugs?

Thanks for your awesome book Mobil solar power I gond it to be very helpful. I helped with the 2018 van build party and it would be wonderful for you to attend the 2019 van build in parker Arizona. Your knowledge with regard to solar would be so helpful and you could do some great videos.

Thank you for the great explanation.

Hello Will, You are an excellent popularizer and super competent, I refer to you very often for battery recharging questions and much more. I found all the answers I was wondering about. Thank you for letting us benefit from your great knowledge and experience. You are an important resource for me. I hope you want to continue for a long time because it helps a lot of people, I'm sure. I'm sure I have the answer already but just in case, If I plug in a Renogy DC-DC Charger 20A from the car's alternator and an Epever 20A solar panel controller in parallel, I won't have a conflict between the devices, right? Thank you very much for your advice, Jacques

Excellent, thank you!

Great info. Thanks!

Easy to follow explanation. Thanks for sharing this.

Thank you!

Excellent explanation cheers.

Thanks bro made sense and proveed my thoughts on this, 😊God bless.

Ive seen a sailboat with a seperate charge controller for each individual solar panel to compensate for shade areas...crazy!

Hi Neo ​Sorry,your controller is TracerAN 40A series,we don't recommend connect controllers in parallel to charge one battery bank. ​ ​Have a nice day! ​ Best regards Fred Zhao EPEVER Support

Thank you

Ty!

Great videos Will! Subscribed. And the list of your recommended tools used with links is uber valuable. But I'd like to point out you are missing a crimper for MC4 connectors, and would like to know which ones you use? Thanks in advance.

This is confusing to me right now, but I've got your book on order and if it's written the way you teach on these videos, I won't be confused much longer.

Good stuff Will, thanks ! 👍

i had 2kw of 8 panels wired series parallel going into 2x outback 80 amp controllers and they never shared at all either 1 was in bulk and the other showed battery full and giving nothing or vice versa in the end i put them all on 1 controller and sold the other

Many thanks Will !!! Very helpful indeed :)

Thanx mate for your great informative videos.... I am new to solar power and I wish to ask a question... can an mppt charger like the tracer 20a be used to charge a 12 volt 200ah battery from a single 24v 60cell panel?

Great info. Question - how do I actually connect the different controllers to one battery? Am I supposed to do something before taking all the controller wires to the battery terminals? Thanks so much.

Excellent content. Thank You.

I like this. Thank you so much, Prowse. You are a great teacher. Please, for fear of blowing things up as a non-expert, a video with step by step connection of two charge controllers to a three-battery bank connected in parallel as well as in series will technically help.

Hi and thank you again for these great videos. I have been using solar panels to keep my batteries full while I am out camping, and now I am planning to mount two of them permanently on the roof of my RV. The question that I have is this, if I am going to leave it parked in my driveway and I rely only on solar power, will it reduce the life of my flooded lead battery bank compared to keeping on my shore power? I have a decent 4 stage converter. I only think it might because of the cycles of charging from the solar panels instead of the constant float voltage from the shore power converter. I won't be using much power when it's parked, only the stereo now and then when I use the RV like an office. Thanks!

Thanks that helped a lot

Got it. Your videos are awesome. You make it easy.

@3:27 does this mean that led acid does not get as much out of the chargers as the first batteries you hooked up?

I have 2 identical solar chargers connected to a battery bank. When the battery bank is almost full it only uses one of the solar chargers and the other one just sit there idle, that is most likely why people think you can not use 2 chargers on one battery... Only when the charging ampere is higher then what just one charger can make it starts using the second solar charger.

Good video. With lead acid batteries,could you use a mppt and a pwm charge controller on one battery bank? Thanks for what you do.

Great video Will, I’ve always been told that the MPPT chargers would fight against each each other. Cheers,

Great information, well explained as always. That said I'm a newbie and was hanging on by my fingernails, Hahaha. I Own and have read your book and found it so helpful. I'm rebuilding a 29' 1992 Airstream travel trailer and I'm preparing to design and install a robust solar system for off grid living. I need to understand and comprehend all of this better. I will watch as many of your videos as possible, but what are other good sources of information. Anyone with answers to this based on their own journey are welcomed to comment.

Great stuff Will . Can I also connect many mppt DC DC charge controller eg renogy 50 mppt DC DC charge controller in parallel

Would enjoy a video on midnight classics or outback custom setting for Lithium and the question if they are equipped for Lithium being built for sealed or flood lead acid.