Solar Controller (cheap china)
I started w/ accidently getting the winning bid on a $130 100 watt panel. So then I had to buy a cheap china $11 10 amp controller, right ? It all worked great, so great infact, I bought another nea...
Forum Discussion
That blog mentioned above has some interesting stuff on it. From what I read, the main points were:
1: Use the proper gauge of wire. In fact, oversize it a bit. Double-crimp.
2: Use Morningstar or Magnum controllers.
3: Buy/use a Trimetric meter.
4: Any shade on a panel is a killer, no matter how small the item.
5: Locate the charge controller as close to the battery as possible, never more than a six foot wire length.
6: Fuse all positive wire connections.
7: Check all crimped connectors by the pull test.
All good suggestions.
A couple notes of mine: I do think eventually the no-name Chinese stuff will get up to par, just because the country is pouring a ton of money into solar (because they hate coal pollution as much as we do.) They have had a head-start in the biz because they were able to "borrow" American technology, so I wouldn't be surprised within the next few years that they will have MPPT controllers as good as the premium brands for a lot less.
1: Use the proper gauge of wire. In fact, oversize it a bit. Double-crimp.
2: Use Morningstar or Magnum controllers.
3: Buy/use a Trimetric meter.
4: Any shade on a panel is a killer, no matter how small the item.
5: Locate the charge controller as close to the battery as possible, never more than a six foot wire length.
6: Fuse all positive wire connections.
7: Check all crimped connectors by the pull test.
All good suggestions.
A couple notes of mine: I do think eventually the no-name Chinese stuff will get up to par, just because the country is pouring a ton of money into solar (because they hate coal pollution as much as we do.) They have had a head-start in the biz because they were able to "borrow" American technology, so I wouldn't be surprised within the next few years that they will have MPPT controllers as good as the premium brands for a lot less.
