Solar help... Mppt or PWM
Hi.. I recently got a new solar panel from somewhere... fell off truck... lol I know mppt is the way to go im mysituation but am asking for advice... panel 250 watts volts 30v. Wh...
Forum Discussion
MPPT 15 will charge at 15A and won't use the rest, this is not an issue. What's important is that voltage and current shoot high when it's cold and you're at high elevation. Exceeding voltage limit is a no-no. MPPT 15 has 75V limit, you'll never exceed it with 250W panel. Eco has 50V limit, I don't believe you'll exceed this either. Older Eco's had 40V limit, this was a potential problem.
On the balance, if it were me in your situation - I would get the Eco. It has a convenient interface with display, while with MPPT 15 any adjustments or metering/monitoring will require optional accessories. Temp comp in MPPT 15 is a nice feature, but it doesn't matter much if you only camp at 60-90 daytime ambient.
Short Abs time of Eco is a con, but 3 hours of MPPT 15 doesn't sound normal either. Morningstar is a good line of products but MPPT 15 is their most basic one.
This is - if I were in your situation, which I am not. I would rather wait until some 12V panel falls off the truck, and buy an average 50-60 bucks PWM controller. Or - until another 250W comes my way, and buy MPPT 45 then, with all the bells and whistles.
On the balance, if it were me in your situation - I would get the Eco. It has a convenient interface with display, while with MPPT 15 any adjustments or metering/monitoring will require optional accessories. Temp comp in MPPT 15 is a nice feature, but it doesn't matter much if you only camp at 60-90 daytime ambient.
Short Abs time of Eco is a con, but 3 hours of MPPT 15 doesn't sound normal either. Morningstar is a good line of products but MPPT 15 is their most basic one.
This is - if I were in your situation, which I am not. I would rather wait until some 12V panel falls off the truck, and buy an average 50-60 bucks PWM controller. Or - until another 250W comes my way, and buy MPPT 45 then, with all the bells and whistles.
