Roll Up Solar Panels / Ogre MPPT Controller
I would LOVE to get 10-12 amperes of 12 volt grade charging for my new group 31 Lifeline. But I have a motor-scooter size toad, that forces me to the roll-up kind of solar panel, and woe is me, the...
Forum Discussion
Back on track about portable solar panels in general - maybe finally for our RV:
My understanding is that the controller for any solar panel setup should optimally be located at the batteries being charged (for minimum voltage drop due to controller output voltages being lower than it's input voltages from the panels) - NOT out at the solar panel - which may be several feet away.
Why do all those pricey commercially available portable solar panel kits have the controller mounted at the panels ... when it should not be there?
I'm thinking seriously about building my own portable folding monocrystalline riged panels setup, making use of a MPPT controller mounted back in the RV by the batteries where I think it belongs, and using a homemade long small AWG cable running directly from the solar panel's output terminals back to the controller mounted in the motorhome.
Am I way off base on this ... or is this the best way, but more expensive?
I would prefer high quality and durable ultra-foldable panels - but don't want to spend the money for a couple of these: http://www.google.com/shopping/product/8198109488693641221?hl=en
My understanding is that the controller for any solar panel setup should optimally be located at the batteries being charged (for minimum voltage drop due to controller output voltages being lower than it's input voltages from the panels) - NOT out at the solar panel - which may be several feet away.
Why do all those pricey commercially available portable solar panel kits have the controller mounted at the panels ... when it should not be there?
I'm thinking seriously about building my own portable folding monocrystalline riged panels setup, making use of a MPPT controller mounted back in the RV by the batteries where I think it belongs, and using a homemade long small AWG cable running directly from the solar panel's output terminals back to the controller mounted in the motorhome.
Am I way off base on this ... or is this the best way, but more expensive?
I would prefer high quality and durable ultra-foldable panels - but don't want to spend the money for a couple of these: http://www.google.com/shopping/product/8198109488693641221?hl=en
