12v MPPT and 24v MPPT vs 24v PWM Test
Got a chance to try out comparing amps to the battery using MPPT vs PWM on a 24v battery bank and comparing those with the usual MPPT on 12v with my 230w panel. The bank is four 6s, so it was easy ...
Forum Discussion
With two 12v panels in series, you could switch them to parallel for charging the 12v battery, using the same pwm controller. A large enough array should have the 24v bank charged up well before sundown, leaving time/sunlight to get the 12v battery up.
Some strategically placed 'switchable' circuit breakers would make the transition quick and easy. Hardest part would be switching out the cables, and with those anderson connectors, that should be a piece of cake.
That said... you would be forfeiting the higher Isc available from the single 24v panel.
So, simply forget about the 12v battery set-up, and run a dc-dc buck converter between 24v bank and 12v distribution. So, 24v bank to bucker, to bus bar, to various 12v loads. Lots of good 12a buckers available on amazon and ebay.
If you have a need to keep the van's battery up, just use a small (say 20w) portable panel.
Some strategically placed 'switchable' circuit breakers would make the transition quick and easy. Hardest part would be switching out the cables, and with those anderson connectors, that should be a piece of cake.
That said... you would be forfeiting the higher Isc available from the single 24v panel.
So, simply forget about the 12v battery set-up, and run a dc-dc buck converter between 24v bank and 12v distribution. So, 24v bank to bucker, to bus bar, to various 12v loads. Lots of good 12a buckers available on amazon and ebay.
If you have a need to keep the van's battery up, just use a small (say 20w) portable panel.
