Solar Charge Controller
Looking at solar and seeing different options for controllers. What's the difference between PWM and MPPT?
Forum Discussion
Yes but you don't need that big 30amper for 200w. If you get your panel(s) elsewhere, not in a kit, then at least you know what size controller you will need.
It can be cheaper now here (12v =$2/W; 24v = $1/W )to get a single 200w instead of two 100s and pay the 100 for the Eco-W. (that's what I have now -230w and an Eco-W for under $400 total) With 12v panels here now twice the price of 24s and the Eco-W price not that much more than a PWM compared with what MPPTs used to cost (other brand MPPTs still do!) it came out ok.
Eg, two 115s would be $460 here plus say $30 for an Ebay controller that is pushing $500 here. All cheaper in the States of course, so do the math for your own case. Might be cheaper to go 12v and PWM for the 200w range in some areas. Very situational.
It is easier to deal with two small 100w as a portable for storing them in the trailer between stops than one big 200w is though. I have done that both ways. I hide the big 200 behind the sofa, which is loose in our floorplan. Many sofas in rigs are nailed down though. Can lay it on the bed, but that's where we put the TV set when towing. Depends on the rig what you can do.
It can be cheaper now here (12v =$2/W; 24v = $1/W )to get a single 200w instead of two 100s and pay the 100 for the Eco-W. (that's what I have now -230w and an Eco-W for under $400 total) With 12v panels here now twice the price of 24s and the Eco-W price not that much more than a PWM compared with what MPPTs used to cost (other brand MPPTs still do!) it came out ok.
Eg, two 115s would be $460 here plus say $30 for an Ebay controller that is pushing $500 here. All cheaper in the States of course, so do the math for your own case. Might be cheaper to go 12v and PWM for the 200w range in some areas. Very situational.
It is easier to deal with two small 100w as a portable for storing them in the trailer between stops than one big 200w is though. I have done that both ways. I hide the big 200 behind the sofa, which is loose in our floorplan. Many sofas in rigs are nailed down though. Can lay it on the bed, but that's where we put the TV set when towing. Depends on the rig what you can do.
