Quick Test of Eco-Worthy MPPT Controller
Ordered it on 3 Oct arrived at the door 23 Oct free shipping. Controller rated to 42V so watch that. EG I have it on one 230w panel, Voc 37v at 25C, so would be more Voc at cold temps. Not ab...
Forum Discussion
As I see it, with today's prices in panels good for portable situations... $195 complete for a folding 120 watt panel suitcase set works out to about $30 an amp. Some of that is all the hardware installed on the panels, and some of that is the cheap PWM 10 amp controller and cables and battery clamps, but raw, about $20 per charging amp is what I'm guessing the panels are worth or about a dollar a watt.
You can buy a panel that will give you 7 or more Amps for $140. Or you can buy a MPPT for $120 and get one or two more amps. If real estate space is not critical, it seems a no brainer to me. However, if you have a bit of Mr. Gadgetry in you and have money to burn for a little bit of gain, and you like to fiddle and be the captain of your ship, then perhaps the MPPT will serve you better. It's fun to monitor what the sun is giving you for free.
In the future, all my solar needs are going to be priced out at $ per amp... after all, battery chargers are measured in amp capacity to recharge also.
You can buy a panel that will give you 7 or more Amps for $140. Or you can buy a MPPT for $120 and get one or two more amps. If real estate space is not critical, it seems a no brainer to me. However, if you have a bit of Mr. Gadgetry in you and have money to burn for a little bit of gain, and you like to fiddle and be the captain of your ship, then perhaps the MPPT will serve you better. It's fun to monitor what the sun is giving you for free.
In the future, all my solar needs are going to be priced out at $ per amp... after all, battery chargers are measured in amp capacity to recharge also.
