Question for Solar Experts
I cannot afford to buy all the pieces of my solar power system at once and intend to purchase piece by piece. My question is: If I get a good storage battery and an MPPT Controller, can I plug my c...
Forum Discussion
Fire Instructor wrote:
Not without panels or a steady DC power source, as the controller only accepts a DC input, then optimizes the charge to the battery.
You mentioned "battery", singularly. Most solar panel system, other than the simple ones for just keeping the battery charge up during storage, have multiple batteries. My system depends on four 6v golf cart batteries, wired in series, then parallel, so that they act as two big 12v batteries.
Thanks for your response.
My DC Source would be my converter (120-12V)plugged in when the van is stored to maintain the battery while I save for the 24 Volt Panel. I am asking if I can consider the Controller as a "Smart Charger" with the 12V DC from the house power converter that routinely charges the battery when it is plugged in, but is not a true Boost/Float/maintain charger. I have seen videos where controlled 12 volt sources are connected to these Controllers to evaluate them and there seems to be no problem.
As far as my energy needs currently (no pun intended) I only need to run some LED Lights and a stove hood vent fan very occasionally. Maybe recharging a pad or laptop from time to time as well. I think 80AH is plenty for this need right now. GC Batteries are out of the question because of the location so I am accepting the compromise of an AGM Battery.
Thanks again!
