mppt vs pwm

I really don't know what you're arguing about. Yes, mppt and pwm controllers use different architecture to get to the same result. The end result is a constant voltage regulator when in absorb or float. Both use pwm to achieve their goal. Both controllers output equal amounts of power into the battery.

Of course the panel voltages will be different. The pwm controller uses 12V panels while the mppt controller uses a higher voltage panel. Panel voltage will be different. But who cares? Is this your sticking point?

brulaz wrote:

Salvo wrote:
No, not correct. Both the pwm and mppt controllers use pulse width modulation to control output voltage during absorb and float.

The 3048 manual discusses changing pulse widths during the maximum power point discussion. Do you understand what changing pulse widths means? It's pwm!!! The mppt controller uses pwm to achieve the maximum power point and it also uses pwm to achieve constant voltage output during absorb and float.
...

Again, forget output voltages. Look at panel voltages.

During the float or absorb stages the mppt controller maintains voltages on the panels that are different from the battery, whereas the pwm controller does not. They are obviously not doing the same thing.

The mppt controller is certainly using some form of pulse width modulation, but that doesn't make it's behaviour identical to a PWM controller during float or absorb states.