Hello to the Victron fundi's! Interesting question re max PV on charge controller:

SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 with 2 arrays E-W each 8 x 460W panels mounted 45 deg to horizontal.

Want to add a North-facing array, but no free MPPT. Could E + W arrays parallel on one MPPT?

(Cannot put 16 panels in series, 16 x Voc = 624V, max spec 450V.)

Panels Imax 14A but would rarely exceed 10A on both E + W.

.

Now, sticker on controller says 20A max, but manual is all over:

on P10: Max operational inbput current for each tracker is 18A,

but also: Connecting PV arrays up to maximum of 30A.

on p47: Max operational PV input current 16A per tracker,

yet also: Max PV array size per tracker 7200Wp (450V x 20A)

.

What would happen if available current exceeds 20A?

If it clips, fine, midday loss of no concern, but might it overheat?

No use asking a Victron agent, they will play safe and say no go....

Answer by PM if you prefer.

20 minutes ago, Abe53 said:

Hello to the Victron fundi's! Interesting question re max PV on charge controller:

SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 with 2 arrays E-W each 8 x 460W panels mounted 45 deg to horizontal.

Want to add a North-facing array, but no free MPPT. Could E + W arrays parallel on one MPPT?

(Cannot put 16 panels in series, 16 x Voc = 624V, max spec 450V.)

Panels Imax 14A but would rarely exceed 10A on both E + W.

.

Now, sticker on controller says 20A max, but manual is all over:

on P10: Max operational inbput current for each tracker is 18A,

but also: Connecting PV arrays up to maximum of 30A.

on p47: Max operational PV input current 16A per tracker,

yet also: Max PV array size per tracker 7200Wp (450V x 20A)

.

What would happen if available current exceeds 20A?

If it clips, fine, midday loss of no concern, but might it overheat?

No use asking a Victron agent, they will play safe and say no go....

Answer by PM if you prefer.

AFAIK Victron is very good at throttling as soon as they heat up. Even their inverters throttle quick.

I would however adhere to their limits. Contact Re-Volt in Rooihuiskraal. He knows his PV systems in depth to get the correct info.

@TaliaB might see the post and respond as our fundi.

14 hours ago, Abe53 said:

Hello to the Victron fundi's! Interesting question re max PV on charge controller:

SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 with 2 arrays E-W each 8 x 460W panels mounted 45 deg to horizontal.

Want to add a North-facing array, but no free MPPT. Could E + W arrays parallel on one MPPT?

(Cannot put 16 panels in series, 16 x Voc = 624V, max spec 450V.)

Panels Imax 14A but would rarely exceed 10A on both E + W.

.

Now, sticker on controller says 20A max, but manual is all over:

on P10: Max operational inbput current for each tracker is 18A,

but also: Connecting PV arrays up to maximum of 30A.

on p47: Max operational PV input current 16A per tracker,

yet also: Max PV array size per tracker 7200Wp (450V x 20A)

.

What would happen if available current exceeds 20A?

If it clips, fine, midday loss of no concern, but might it overheat?

No use asking a Victron agent, they will play safe and say no go....

Answer by PM if you prefer.

You can parallel the E + W strings on one tracker just don’t exceed voltage limits.
On the Victron SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/100 the important points are:
450V max is absolute your 16 in series is a big no no as jou said.
The input current specs from Victron documentation looks inconsistent, but in practice:
~16–18A = optimal tracking range
~20A+ on controller will limit/clamp current and won't damage the RS.
What happens if current exceeds 20A?
Nothing dramatic the MPPT simply clips the extra current by shifting the operating point(Mpp). It won’t overheat or be damaged; you just lose a bit of peak power during midday overlap.
E/W in parallel works well because as it spreads the daily production and only a brief midday period where currents = max Imp.
Downsides not really noticeable small tracking inefficiency due to mixed orientations and some midday clipping.
Conclusion: Technically sound workaround, widely done. Just keep strings identical and stay comfortably under 450V Voc at cold temps.

Edited April 25Apr 25 by TaliaB
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14 hours ago, Abe53 said:

each 8 x 460W panels mounted 45 deg to horizontal

Please explain your above statement as I am not sure if 8 is mounted at 45°(tilt) and 8 is lying on a flat roof?

Thanks very much for the very useful and complete response, TaliaB !

That is exactly what I wanted to hear. Will implement such.

And yes, strings are identical and all panels mounted at 45 deg to horizontal. (E-W Tepee style, cheap, no mounting frame needed) Yes, I know about 30 deg being supposedly optimum, my reasoning is 45 deg optimizes for winter, also panels should wash cleaner with rain and have less risk of hail damage. (We are near Pretoria)

Now if only we could get more sunshine... ;-) Best regards, Abe53.