Solar Charge Controller

Hi,

One example is wire size. He doesn't understand that, for a PWM controller, any wire that is capable of legally carrying the maximum current from the panels is adequate.

It does, however, matter a LOT if an MPPT controller is to be used, because in that case voltage drop is important to avoid.

Vixen21 wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Because it is mostly a rant.

Vixen21 wrote:
Why not just read Handy Bob's Blog, it taught me a lot.

What information does he rant about that is wrong or incorrect?

Vixen21 wrote:
Why not just read Handy Bob's Blog, it taught me a lot.

http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

pianotuna wrote:
Because it is mostly a rant.

x2. Check out www.jackdanmayer.com for a much more succinct solar presentation.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

Because it is mostly a rant.

Vixen21 wrote:
Why not just read Handy Bob's Blog, it taught me a lot.

http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

What information does he rant about that is wrong or incorrect?

wbwood wrote:
So the link I posted to the kit is decent?

Expensive for a single 100 in the States? But the "free shipping" cost is in there, say $50 worth? It depends whether you can pick up a set yourself from an "outlet" near enough to where you live for less money.

I tried a single 130 as a portable that I kept mostly aimed at the sun during the day, sort of tracking. Not quite enough solar for us. 230w tracking like that is pretty close. Tried 360w for a while but it was too much solar for our needs.

You have to know roughly what you will need. If you don't have that info yet, starting with a 100 and adding another later if needed is a good approach. That 30a controller is there for that approach.

But sometimes it costs more to do it piecemeal with shipping etc. Sometimes pairs of 12v panels come on sale.

So the link I posted to the kit is decent?

Hi,

Because it is mostly a rant.

Vixen21 wrote:
Why not just read Handy Bob's Blog, it taught me a lot.

http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

This is the easiest explanation of MPPT vs PWM. click

I don't feel that a smaller portable would benefit that much by the expense of MPPT. The Eco-worthy works well with the larger panels but its VOC limit wouldn't match up with two smaller panels. The Morningstar 15a MPPT may work but it's twice as much. You would be better off getting a third panel.

Why not just read Handy Bob's Blog, it taught me a lot.

http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/

Hi,

Whether to use MPPT or PWM is dependent on the panel voltage.

Pulse width modulation means pulsing the current rapidly. When a large average current is needed to charge rapidly, the pulses are made longer so current flows most of the time. The battery gets the full voltage of the panel for the duration of the pulse, no current between pulses. With a 6 amp panel the controller may just keep the current on continuously except when the battery is nearly fully charged or its temperature is high.