I had my solar just a perkalaatin today, all 290 watts worth.2 panels on the roof now, a few degrees off the sun, and my 90 watt portable directly on the sun. I was watching the amps go up all morning, when the sun was perdy much overhead, digital ampmeter up to 14.7, I checked my $10 cheap China 15 amp controller, and it was warming up fast, maybe too much I thought, so I unplugged my portable, and let it coast at around 9 amps.I have had such good luck w/ all the cheap China stuff,....not even 1 failure out of 10-12 items. So I ordered a new 20 amp controller, exactly the same brand as this 15 amp. Trouble is, it on a slooooooow boat from China. And for some unknown reason, this 20 amp was only 8 bucks, incl free shipping. This cheap stuff just seems to get better and cheaper all at the same time ! :)This is the controller that coming,.....I don't know why I din't by a couple more.http://www.ebay.com/itm/301218792237?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Guess what? Yep, I just ordered another one.....for a spare.......just in case ! :)I had a spare 15 amp too, but some guy down in Quarzsite who knew I had it, begged to buy it, gave me a $20 bill for it. They were selling for $59 down there, so he stole it ! (::)

Yep. Retirement communities in AZ and FL are a Klondike for pushing anything "solar" at triple and quadruple cost. Boomers are becoming a market for anything from financial advisers to spiritual advisers to solar installers.Since I don't smoke :), and don't like anything smoking around, I chose not to use Ebay for items that are crucial for offgrid living.

I totally agree. My grandpa was cheap as the day is long and when we cleared out all of his stuff, it was a pile of $10 trinkets that no longer worked. I'm after the new SC-2030 and TM-2030 for my new solar.

So far I only see a lot of big words and no details in SC-2030 description. Hopefully things will clear up when they will start making it. I wish them luck with their first solar controller.

You have to go with what fills your needs and only your needs. I took a chance on the MPPT equivalent and got lucky too. If and when my needs change and I replace it, it wont be because it doesn't do what it is suppose to.

Smokin Cheap China Controller ? | Good Sam Community

NinerBikes
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
I guess the best way to explain it is that I want the Panel and the power cord to the charge controller to be portable and with quick disconnect feature. I want the adjustable voltage Charge Controller and the last leg of the wiring from charge controller to battery to be more like a permanent fixture, mounted on or within the travel trailer, and not portable.

I understand everyone's situation is unique and variable. Some want true plug and play convenience, a few, like me, want to get to 100% state of charge, or as close as possible, on a daily basis. Adding distilled water to a battery hanging on the tongue of a 21 foot travel trailer is easy, at least for me, so a little bit of bubbly on sunny days is fine with me. I prefer that close to 100% charge. I like my tanks close to 100% full when ever I fill them up.
mlts22
Explorer
Jul 02, 2014
I just bought what the OP purchased. Now to find an el cheapo panel, then cobble up a frame from some 2x4s, and I now have at least an entry level solar charging apparatus for keeping the batteries topped off when my rig is stored.
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
If you want what ssems like a very quality built 100 watt panel, check out the Renogy 100 watt on ebay. I was really impressed w/ mine.
mlts22 wrote:
I just bought what the OP purchased. Now to find an el cheapo panel, then cobble up a frame from some 2x4s, and I now have at least an entry level solar charging apparatus for keeping the batteries topped off when my rig is stored.
MauroFors
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
bdosborn wrote:
Aaaggghhh! It's back! That's the controller that came with my portable solar panel. It lasted for exactly one use:

Good luck! ;)

Bruce

Yes it the controller which used to come with panel.. Image is not working please check the issue..
steveh27
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
MauroFors wrote:
bdosborn wrote:
Aaaggghhh! It's back! That's the controller that came with my portable solar panel. It lasted for exactly one use:

Good luck! ;)

Bruce

Yes it the controller which used to come with panel.. Image is not working please check the issue..

This is the controller on my 120 watt portable. Should I replace it even though it seems to work fine except it may go into float too soon?
bdosborn
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
I wouldn't. I seem to be the exception rather than the rule as far as reliability goes. You'll know if it goes bad, the LEDs will start blinking randomly and you can deal with it then.

Bruce
RJsfishin
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
If it works, I don't usually fix it. And a couple times I did, it ended up "really" needing fixing. :)

I have noticed some inconsistencies,...that I have blamed on to ambient temp change, and/or power being consumed while batts are nearing full charge.

What amazes me,....between my PD conv, and this cheap solar system, I have not added any water to my 2 12'ers in over 1 yr. They (china?) have this electronic stuff figured out !!
NinerBikes
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
For a basic foldable portable solar panel system, this controller works great. It will get you to 14.4 to 14.6 volts, but I'd recommend a lot heavier wire gauge than the cheap 14 or 16 gauge zipcord wire, connectors and clamp ons that come with the panel kit. 12 gauge minimum, short a run as possible from controller to battery, maybe mount the controller near the battery instead, and run the long cord section from the panel to the controller, to minimize voltage and amp lossages. Most important, since you can't adjust the voltage on this controller. 14.4 v at bulk charge rate, minimum. 14.8 would be best, at the battery ring terminals, where it really matters the most, for the purists. 14.4 should get you 90% charged up, within reason.

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