If the panels dont have combining diodes, its a good idea to fit one in series with each panel before joining the feeds to the controller. Then if one panel is shadowed, it doesnt draw current from the illuminated one.
Fiiiiinally finished fitting the solar panel!!! Couple of weeks ago I fitted the controller and all the wiring to the battery. Today I have fitted the panel and wired it to the controller. Have used these brackets to fix the solar panel to, and then bonded it to the roof. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262791723349?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT This means that should the solar panel fail, I can just unbolt it and replace it. No messy removal of adhesive! Couldn't quite bring my self to drill the roof(s). So for now at least, it runs down the air intake. Doesn't look tooooooo bad. Battery is charging nicely at 12.6v at the mo. Hurrah! Another job jobbed.
Ok I am not a robot. But I work with them. A good explanation is https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/diode/bypass-diodes.html This explains bypass diodes for shaded/faulty panel sections and the blocking diodes used for parallel connected panels. Cheaper panels dont have bypass diodes built in. My panels have two diodes , so each chain of 6 has a bypass. Blocking diodes are fitted outside the panels if you need them.
