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jodeb720's avatar
jodeb720
Explorer
Oct 24, 2023

Recommendations for solar charge/controller

It appears a buddy of mind is going to donate two used 300 watt panels.

They are rated at 30 volts with about 8 amps open voltage (he got them for a song - used I should say)

We’ve been out in the desert in socal and after wiring in a progressive dynamics charger, a 2000 watt psw inverter and a midnight 150 charge controller we are pretty happy with the results.

Since he bought 6 and needs only 4, they are going to be donated to me.

Questions:

1. How many amps should I size tge controller at?
2. PWM or MPPT?
3 Any brand you’d recommend.

Im running 420 amps (2-battery banks GC4 so two 210 banks)
I generally charge the separately (my house batteries are from July 2014 and they are still going strong!) , the other bank feeds my 1000 psw inverter for coffee.

Thanks in advance….

24 Replies

  • Might check out Morningstar controllers. Mine has been reliable.
  • I think you need to get the spec's on the panel output to size the controller correctly. In my case, my panels provide just a bit more than 8 amps(best case), time three panels equals around 24v +/- a bit so I have a thirty amp controller. I think Victron is the top of the line and if you can afford it that's the way to go. Also, if you plan to increase, get a controller to match the possibilities.
  • As stated, you'll need to go MPPT - Victron makes quality, well-regarded units.

    Rob
  • Hi,

    You will need to go to MPPT for the controller due to the 30 volts output.