Greetings from Arizona. We took delivery of our 2022 5.0 in September of last year. We paid for two 190W roof-top solar panels and the Zamp plug for an external panel. The trailer came equipped with the Victron MPPT 100 | 20 charge controller. I watched the Victron video on charge controllers (https://youtu.be/Di499j08IeY) to understand what the numbers 100 and 20 designated in the product model name (MPPT 100 | 20). If I interpreted the video correctly, "100" designates the open circuit voltage maximum of the solar array. Fine. My panel specs show that they have open circuit voltage ratings of 24.09 volts. So there is plenty of 'room' to add a third, external panel without exceeding this maximum.
The second number, the "20," designates the array Short Circuit Current maximum. The specs I have for my 190W panels designates that this value is 9.98A per panel. So, the two roof-top panels put me just a hair below the maximum of 20A, before I have plugged in a third, external panel.
QUESTIONS FOR THE EXPERTS:
Have I incorrectly interpreted something in the Victron information?
Should I be concerned about this apparent mis-match of the charge controller? How about the AWG 10 wire they used from the panels to the controller and from the controller to the batteries?
Should not Escape have anticipated this and installed a MPPT 100 | 30 to accommodate the external solar panel that the Zamp plug they installed was intended to power?
Thank you in advance for the help.
Tim Dennehy
Tucson Arizona
2022 Escape 5.0 TA
2 x 100AH batteries
2 x 190W solar panels + external panel (TBD)
Hello @TJD, 2022 5.0,
At the time that your trailer was manufactured the solar port was meant to be a supplement for when the roof panels are shaded. If there is over power going into the MPPT 100/20 it will limit power to its nominal rating which for this device is 20A.
After popular requests our team upgraded to the MPPT 100/30 so it may be used in addition to the panels on the roof for current builds.