I called Renogy and they told me that I will need to get the portable kit w/ controller even if I already have a controller and roof mounted panel. The reason being is that the controller will only feed one panel, so the wiring for the portable would have to be connected inline through the roof mounted panel.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
Seems a bit redundant to have two controllers.
Everyone is right. Just talking past each other.
Some controllers have only one solar input. With a controller that has only one panel input, combine the two panels before the solar panel input.The Zamp has inputs for two panels. With the Zamp, plug in the bare portable panel to the factory wired rear connector.
Paul
Edit:
(Sorry for misleading you. I should not post when I am still under the effects of Field Day sleep deprivation). With the factory Zamp installation with top and rear solar sockets, the paralleling of the two panels inputs have already been done for you. Just plug in bare panels. If you are choosing your own charge controller, you will have to parallel the panels. FWC may have done this in their wiring. You will have to ensure that the fuse in the output from the Zamp to the batteries is sufficiently high for the output of both panels Mine had a 10 amp fuse which blew when I got full sunlight on both panels. Read your controller's manual for recommended fuse value for controller output to battery.
Edited by PaulT, 28 June 2016 - 08:37 AM.