Battery Charge Requirements
Looking into a solar setup for my new trailer, first off is figuring out what I need for controller output to correctly charge my batteries. I'm planning on eventually having a pair of either 100w or ...
Forum Discussion
Padlin wrote:
Looked like you set the controller for the type of battery which then uses the applicable settings. On some you can choose custom setting and set them to whatever you want up to the units max.
I am planning on just one panel to start and will see how it works out, we're not heavy consumers so hopefully one is enough.
1) Yes, you set it to "Flooded" or whatever it's called on controller. More expensive controllers will have adjustable setpoints, this is better. What Don meant (I think) is that PWM operates at the panel input voltage, which is the same as output voltage, more-less. MPPT takes "any" voltage and downconverts it to the required output voltage, upconverting the amps accordingly. Having adjustable setpoints (rather than choosing one of 3 fixed settings when each one differs from your battery specs), is same important as a temp compensation.
2) Unless it's sunny 99% of time, it's difficult to predict what is "enough" because you can't predict the weather. 130W flat will harvest 40-60 AH on a good day, and maybe 10 AH in overcast. Can you live off 10 AH? If yes, then alright.
