Charge controller recommendations
I have a small solar charging system consisting of two 12v 75w panels wired in series and a failing cheap MPPT charge controller. I may be acquiring another identical panel too. I'm currently leanin...
Forum Discussion
BillyW wrote:
If I choose to not bother with the third panel, I probably won't bother with MPPT again either.
If MPPT gain makes any sense, in this scenario (which I tend to think it doesn't), it's with 2 panels rather than 3. With 3 panels you'll get a lot more output that MPPT gain.
BillyW wrote:
These panels are older, but are commercial grade and perform well in a wide variety of conditions.
Most panels perform well these days, as long as they are not too old. The days of solar cells covered with cheesy plastic and leads delaminating off the panel are long gone. But, if they are old, they perform poorly even if commercial grade - whatever this means. 10 years = roughly 10% drop in efficiency. This is the nature of PV cells.
BillyW wrote:
And don't forget that 6 volt setting. Maybe I should leave them in series and try that.
I think most controllers don't have 6 volt setting. Besides, with 12V system of trailer, charging voltage has to be nominal 12 anyway, unless you split the bank for some temporary reasons.
