Can Harbor Freight 100W Solar Panels Be Wired in Series? | Thunderbolt Solar

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  • Опубліковано 14 кві 2023
  • 🌞 In this video, we answer the burning question: Can Harbor Freight 100W Solar Panels be wired in series? Join us as we explore the possibilities with Thunderbolt Solar panels! 🔌
    Discover the step-by-step process of wiring Thunderbolt Solar panels in series to increase voltage and maximize efficiency. Learn why boosting voltage is essential for your MPPT controller and how to get the most out of your solar setup! 💡
    Kaiwwets Multimeter: kaiweets.com/products/kaiweet...
    Solar Panels: www.harborfreight.com/100-wat...
    Please note that the opinions and viewpoints presented in these videos belong solely to Tony's Tractor Adventure Homestead and may not necessarily align with the stances or perspectives of any affiliated organizations or individuals.
    #HarborFreightSolar #ThunderboltSolar #100WattSolarPanels #SolarPower #MPPTController #WiringInSeries #SolarPanelEfficiency #DIYSolar #SolarSetup #VoltageIncrease #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #GreenEnergy #SolarPanelTutorial #SolarPanelInstallation
    Ownership and operation of this channel are under Inspired Videography, LLC. Inspired Videography, LLC participates in various affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, enabling creators to earn advertising fees by promoting and linking to participating companies' websites. The site also receives compensation for directing traffic and business to other affiliate programs.
    Notably, TYM North America sponsors Inspired Videography's videos, which primarily showcase tractor work.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 46

  • @davida.p.9911
    @davida.p.9911 Рік тому

    Awesome tips and information, Tony! 👍😎

  • @buildingalegacypa
    @buildingalegacypa Рік тому +3

    Great explanation, it is good to know that you can run that configuration with those panels. Thanks for the video.

  • @usascottwright
    @usascottwright 10 місяців тому +3

    I wish someone would show start-to-end solar panels including plugging in appliances and computers and lights

  • @tappedthatsugarshackhallad3909

    Awesome stuff as always

  • @scrotiemcboogerballs1981
    @scrotiemcboogerballs1981 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for sharing

  • @fookingsog
    @fookingsog 18 днів тому

    Good Vidya!!! I purchased two of the HFT Folding Suitcase style solar panels--100 watts each & just more recently acquired an EcoFlow River 2 Max. Panels used the SAE Connectors so I've pretty much been building my connection inventory. I just crimped and sealed with 3:1 shrink ratio adhesive lined heat-shrink tubing at the crimp connectors a daisy-chain series connector--I also fused the daisy-chain adapter. Max voltage is 50 volt input for the EcoFlow--two panels in series should do max of 40-44 volts. This is kind of a test/travel setup to see how everything works together. Only bad thing about the SAE connectors is that you can accidentally reverse voltage if you don't pay careful attention!!! Interestingly I found on Amazon a pop-in panel digital Volt/Ammeter display that can go inline at the voltage output of the solar panel(s)...it just runs off the line voltage already present and will meter up to 100 volts at 10 amps. Only thing I had to do was 3D print a case for it and seal it up with some thinned out and paintable silicone caulk. Silicone from a tube can be thinned with some VM&P (Varnish Makers & Painters) Naphtha to make it paintable!!! Absolute cheapest way to make paintable electrical tape or you can use it to coat and "rubberize" the handles of your metal tools!!!

  • @Bodhranarama
    @Bodhranarama Рік тому +7

    Thanks for that Tony. Feels like you should mention to curious tinkerers like me that dc gets spicy beyond 50v!

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +4

      I really should have. That is the problem with me making so many videos. I talked about voltage danger in another video, so in mind I have already said it. I should have noted it in this video too!

  • @Electronzap
    @Electronzap Рік тому +3

    Good test.

  • @ricardofranco4114
    @ricardofranco4114 Рік тому +1

    I get 133 watts out of 1 solar pannel can't wait to get more.

  • @serialtravelers-wb5zb
    @serialtravelers-wb5zb 8 місяців тому

    Bonjour merci pour votre vidéo très intéressante ou avez vous acheter vos panneaux solaires cordialement

  • @SnR80574
    @SnR80574 Рік тому +1

    Hello
    I’m trying to connect two same thunderbolt panels together and then connect to generator.
    I already spliced open the wires.

  • @4207Points
    @4207Points 3 місяці тому

    So my question is even though you increased the voltage didn't the ampers stay the same about 5amps for those panels what is the end game? Pretty much what would be the benefit I always thought more amperage is better

  • @BillZad
    @BillZad 4 місяці тому +1

    Nice informative video... I have 4 of these panels with 10 amp fuses on all the pos+ wires. It says on the back of the panel ( Do Not wire panels in series)...Amps current is more powerful than volts on a 12V system, I'm doing mine in parallel, but considered series/parallel.....I got SAE/MC4 wire adapters and 4 to 1 MC4 connectors for the parallel setup (4 pos+ & 4 neg-) to one pos+ & 1 neg- MC4 /SAE connectors, that plug into a the SAE 10 AWG wire to the 30 amp controller. Also I rewired the panels with 10 AWG wire. If you look at the wire that is attached on the back of the panel, there is no writing that says AWG or voltage on the wire?? Is this legal ? GLTA

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  4 місяці тому +1

      We are on our second year with the system cranking out power. To this point I have had no problems.

  • @cowpen
    @cowpen Рік тому +4

    I like how you randomly mix high-dollar components (trackers) with bargain-basement components (Harbor Freight & Sungold Power). Looking forward to the troubleshooting and improvement videos.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +8

      Very sanctimonious. Great job keyboard warrior.

    • @cowpen
      @cowpen Рік тому +3

      @@TonysTractorAdventure ??? Bro, you completely misunderstood my post. I like your videos, including this one.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +11

      I apologize if I took it wrong. I get beat up quite a bit on social media which makes me sometimes a little less forgiving than I should be. Okay! A lot less for giving than I should be! I am definitely flawed and need Christ.

  • @bgarr99
    @bgarr99 Рік тому +1

    I'd be curious how the higher voltage affects the rated current thru each panel. At some point, daisy chaining would have to fry them.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +3

      It's actually the opposite of what you would think. Higher voltage creates less resistance thereby flowing easier through the same wire. There's nothing really special about the Harbor Freight solar panels. They are built like every other one. An example would be this. You have one sewing needle to push 100 amps through. If you try to push 100 amps through with 12 volts, the sewing needle will turn red, hot and melt. If you run the same 100 amps through the needle but using 10,000 volts, the needle would be cool to the touch. Obviously, if you touch it, it would kill you but you understand what I mean.

    • @bgarr99
      @bgarr99 Рік тому +2

      @@TonysTractorAdventure After thinking about this awhile, with watts equal to voltage times current, a 100 watt panel at 20 volts would push a max of 5 amps. Three panels limited to 300 watts at 60v must have the same max current of 5 amps (5x60). Stringing them together in series will increase wattage and voltage but the max current can't change.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +3

      Right on. Higher voltage is like thinner liquid. The thinner the liquid, more volume can be passed through the same size pipe without increasing friction.

    • @lenndeloney6955
      @lenndeloney6955 Рік тому

      @@TonysTractorAdventure I’m

  • @ysBooksTheAuthor
    @ysBooksTheAuthor 7 місяців тому +1

    Is the 16 gauge wires on the panels enough to handle 75volts?

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  7 місяців тому +2

      The higher the voltage the smaller the wires can be.

    • @ysBooksTheAuthor
      @ysBooksTheAuthor 7 місяців тому +1

      @@TonysTractorAdventure Thanks. I was scared to try, but I did it and went from 70 watts to around 150 watts.

  • @JerryTheHeretic
    @JerryTheHeretic 26 днів тому

    I wonder why on the back on the panel it says not to wire them in series?

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  25 днів тому

      They worry about people not understanding how to do it. Mine have been up and running for two years without fail.

  • @robertwinton2649
    @robertwinton2649 Рік тому

  • @gregoetker1389
    @gregoetker1389 10 місяців тому

    You need to show all 3 in series (60 volt) and then get a piece of cardboard and put it on top of 1 panel to show partial shade and you will be surprised about the output voting series. This is why it's important to make sure all panels are in direct sunlight without any shade on them.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  10 місяців тому

      I would guess it is self evident that they needed to be in the sun. LOL! Maybe I will make that video. I appreciate the idea.

  • @darylw792
    @darylw792 Рік тому +1

    I got 6 Thunderbolt Harbor Freight panels to tie in to my house. I got two grid tie in micro inverters (each rated at 350W), but when I hook up the solar panels to the inverters I get no AC out. The LED light on every inverter glows a steady red. There are 6 meanings listed for a red lite LED: a. Island protection; b. Over-temp protection; c. Over/low AC voltage; d.Over/low DC voltage; e. Over/low frequency protection; f. fault. I got another inverter thinking that maybe the first two inverters were defective, and this one was rated at 600W. But I got the same result. I hooked up two panel per inverter in series. DC voltage was around 39V. So the panels were set up fine and producing voltage to the inverters. What am I doing wrong?

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +1

      There is just not enough information here to make an educated guess.

    • @darylw792
      @darylw792 Рік тому +1

      @@TonysTractorAdventure I finally figured it out. It was in Island Protection mode. I could have swore I plugged this inverter into an outlet. Anyway it is working now.
      The question I have is when the panels are hooked up and working when I check the amps at the Breaker Panel to see if less power is being used the amp usage goes up not down. How do I tell if power is being generated from the solar panels?

  • @tinyhomeincred-i-box
    @tinyhomeincred-i-box Рік тому +1

    Wood County,TX Math?

  • @berthongo8531
    @berthongo8531 Рік тому +3

    Poor Gizmo. Seems he doesn't much care about series/parallel wiring.

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  Рік тому +3

      He really doesn't. He sure liked the chicken strips on the ride over!

    • @Mack_Dingo
      @Mack_Dingo Рік тому

      @@TonysTractorAdventure Better of dipped them in Ranch, But ya open circuit Voltage tho...🤔

  • @drewfleming7065
    @drewfleming7065 3 місяці тому

    GEZZ give us positive and negative not male female connectors.....

    • @TonysTractorAdventure
      @TonysTractorAdventure  3 місяці тому +1

      Male Female

    • @thepiromaster3901
      @thepiromaster3901 2 місяці тому

      They are male and female connectors. Positive and negative would refer to the polarity of the current. Get over yourself.

    • @drewfleming7065
      @drewfleming7065 2 місяці тому

      @@thepiromaster3901 My point is which is negative male or female?? The video was VERY unclear to which plug male or female was neg or pos...