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
Almot
You really should wait for the OP to report that his controller vented its magic blue smoke, fried his batteries and caught his rig on fire before you start your rants. You point out much of what might happen but hasn't yet.
You mention temperature swings, the Eco-worthy sees from below freezing to above 80 in a single day, no issues yet. In fact for me it was a better choice than the MS 15 that would be clipping amps all day long or the Rogue that would cost 3 1/2 times as much to run one of my mismatched panels. With the money saved I can buy a second Eco-worthy and run both my panels for a grand total of $400 for 450w and 30a+ of charging. That's two panels, two controllers, two sets of wires and a WHOLE LOT OF CHARGING for $400.
The system keeps my $75 8-D very happy meaning I don't have to run my $62 Champ 3500/4000 while camping in my cheap entry level 3 season trailer up in the boonies where it is free. Btw, some of the money I saved is going into a nice PSW inverter and satellite system that I couldn't afford if I had gone all out on the rest of the stuff.
So if some are cheap, it's ok just as it is if some blow wads of cash on features they will never use but gee it's nice they are there. It's all about diversity and as long as each is getting their needs filled, who cares.
Edit
I see the new Rogue is up to $400 plus more for the goodies to go with it. Nice controller I'm sure but more than I'll have into both systems.
You really should wait for the OP to report that his controller vented its magic blue smoke, fried his batteries and caught his rig on fire before you start your rants. You point out much of what might happen but hasn't yet.
You mention temperature swings, the Eco-worthy sees from below freezing to above 80 in a single day, no issues yet. In fact for me it was a better choice than the MS 15 that would be clipping amps all day long or the Rogue that would cost 3 1/2 times as much to run one of my mismatched panels. With the money saved I can buy a second Eco-worthy and run both my panels for a grand total of $400 for 450w and 30a+ of charging. That's two panels, two controllers, two sets of wires and a WHOLE LOT OF CHARGING for $400.
The system keeps my $75 8-D very happy meaning I don't have to run my $62 Champ 3500/4000 while camping in my cheap entry level 3 season trailer up in the boonies where it is free. Btw, some of the money I saved is going into a nice PSW inverter and satellite system that I couldn't afford if I had gone all out on the rest of the stuff.
So if some are cheap, it's ok just as it is if some blow wads of cash on features they will never use but gee it's nice they are there. It's all about diversity and as long as each is getting their needs filled, who cares.
Edit
I see the new Rogue is up to $400 plus more for the goodies to go with it. Nice controller I'm sure but more than I'll have into both systems.
