Don't wire in series. You don't have an MPPT controller that will take advantage of the high voltage. Wire in parallel to increase Amps and not voltage.

Ab

> On Dec 9, 2016, at 8:53 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Following on with a simpler question... Would it be more effective to
> connect the two panels in series...taking the older one's output directly
> (without it's controller in the loop) and connecting that to the newer
> panel's controller?   Thanks
> 
> On Dec 9, 2016 8:41 AM, "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> We're running off the grid in the southern California desert with two  deep
> cycle batteries and two solar panels.  One panel is ancient, with a dull
> pebble front and a 4 post controller, about 3' square.
> We had only that one, for a few prior winter seasons, and it often didn't
> keep up, though our power requirements are low...Last winter we got  a
> second panel, modern, with a second controller, and I connected that right
> to the original panel's  controller, which connects to the batteries.  This
> set up works OK now, but it's "messy".  A lot of connections, two different
> controllers, wires and panels to move around and keep upright in the wind,
> etc.  So, I'm trying to "Fix" it.
>   I'm an electrical dunce.  That being said,  I've just taken the older
> panel and it's controller out of the system, thinking that it may be
> inhibiting the other panel's electrical input to the batteries.   My
> digital meter ( I have two, and they match numbers) shows around 17v when
> I  check at either panel, or when connected like I said up top, same
> reading...both inline(?).
>  Ànyone have any suggestions for an effective way to connect all this up?
> Or to measure the input into our batteries? It seems to be putting a little
> less power back into the  batteries, using only the newer panel alone, but
> I have no clue how to verify that, other than a dorky multiple LED test
> panel (like the westie unit) or my digital multimeter...but the digital
> meter and different sun intensities, day to day has got me stumped.
> Currently(not a pun) in light overcast, I'm reading 12.87v at the
> batteries, with the voltage going up about 1/100th each few seconds.
> Some numbers for the newer panel, the older one I have no available
> data.... Panel says: 75 watts.  16.6v.  7.5 amps.   The 2 batteries are
> larger dual purpose marine/RV in good condition.
>  ?😁