So the question of the hour is should I just run a new set of 14 gauge straight from the new 100 watt panel directly to the charge controller, having two sets of panel leads on the single solar input?
Or should I wire the panels in parallel and run the wire from roof panel to new cabover panel, then from that panel to the controller, adding a fair bit more length needing to basically run two sets of wires to and from the 100 watt panel splicing into the existing 14 gauge. If I go this route, I am going to be adding about 8 to 10 feet of new wire, this changes the voltage equation a bit...so I am confused as to what gauge to use, or if this is even the correct route to take based on this calculator:
http://www.freesunpower.com/wire_calc.php
In looking at this calculation, I currently have about 25 feet ( ? ) of wire going from my 85 watt roof panel to the controller then the battery, at 4.9 amps and 12 volts that is about 12 gauge wire according to the link above, 14 gauge is what is installed.
If I do the 100 watt panel at it's rated max of 5.7 amps and figure about 12 feet from the panel / controller / battery, I get right at 14 gauge.
But if I add in about 8-10 feet for splicing at the total output of roughly 11 amps, I get 9 gauge wire, and that is for the whole thing, so it is really kind of tough for me to figure out what gauge wire I would use if I splice it in.
I am headed out to the camper now to pull the left panels by the bed to see what kind of space I have to run separate wires for the new 100 watt.....