Solar Controllers--Don't be a Sucker! :(
Just got to say it again, how it is we are sitting here for five months off grid on solar with no problems at all (third season on solar like this), using the non-programmable, non-MPPT, solar control...
Forum Discussion
Well MPPT gets *additional* gain when battery voltage is low. It gets some gain any time the battery voltage under charge is below the actual Vmpp of the solar panels at the current lighting level and temperature.
When the battery voltage climbs and the Vmpp drops to the point they are the same, only then does (perfect tracking) MPPT not make more amps into the battery.
Not perfect tracking MPPT can fall off a cliff to PWM levels of battery amps of even lower than PWM if it overshoots Vmpp by much. This DOES happen with some controllers, and when it does, power (and amps into the battery) plummet.
Jim
When the battery voltage climbs and the Vmpp drops to the point they are the same, only then does (perfect tracking) MPPT not make more amps into the battery.
Not perfect tracking MPPT can fall off a cliff to PWM levels of battery amps of even lower than PWM if it overshoots Vmpp by much. This DOES happen with some controllers, and when it does, power (and amps into the battery) plummet.
Jim
