Solar panel add on

first thing check the roof space as to what extra panels you could fit
fitting two leisure batteries as when you have days that the solar charge is very low you need the extra reserve. this is just the start as a lot is down to the space you have

I'd say you need some advice from a similar owner of an EC500 based van who has already travelled along the route you want to take. What's the size of your existing solar panel, what solar controller are you currently using?

He well have this wire through this controller that needs to be be unplugged off the p c b and the mppt fitted[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Nick this is worth a read[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

B/B Chris
you said to wire in parallel and is something I do not do
with the weather in the winter you may not get even 12volts from a 20volt panel so will not get any charge. with 2x80w panels and now max 40volts I have been just getting above 12volts giving just over 1amp so still getting some charge with the mist and cloudy days that would not have given me any charge . the other benefit you can increase the volts but not the amps watts in a wire and not need larger cables.

Solar panels connected series or parallel, there are pros and cons. With series if one panel is shaded you wont get much output, with parallel you still will,. On the other hand with series as glyne advocates above, the low light level performance is improved because the charging voltage can more easily reach above voltages at the batteries, so can put in a charge. This over 12 volt  threshold with parallel will only be achieved once the light levels have risen sufficiently higher, either in winter and also in summer at dawn and dusk.

Series will achieve a higher voltage so you'll need to check if your solar controller can handle this. The Votronic Duo Dig range open circuit maximum voltage is 50V, The 80W panels A-S have an open circuit voltage of 22v, so no more than 2 panels in series should be within these Votronics limit.

The Epever DuoRacer solar controllers, the 10A rated controller are 60V, the 20A and 30A are 100V, so a useful choice if you plan to fit several solar panels in series.

When I asked the supplier of solar panels to A-S he said connect in parallel, The Votronic installation manual has parallel showing, so 6 of one 0.5 dozen of the other, you pays you money and make your own choice. I brought the wires from my second solar panel back inside the van so I could have an arrangement when I can switch from series to parallel depending on how much the van was shaded by trees. But can I be bothered.

as it was said on another post if you fit 4 panels you wire 2 and 2
my house has 18 panels but wired 2 x 9

Can you do a picture looking down at you roof this will help.if your going to wire in series as I do the panels can be different sizes

what are you wanting to post the photo with

I post mine with my iPhone .there is a post that explains what to do with other items as there are different ways as per what you are using

Baggiecamper
the solar panel wires from the panel go into the roof through the white box cover and join inside to the sargent wiring that then goes down to your ec500 its not a connection in the box .when you add extra panels I would not recommend putting more power down the cables in the sargent wiring as for the size of the cable more of a problem when wiring in parallel