Solar voltage help...

Oregon - no, it won't keep it "always" at 14.4. I never had a controller that basic :), but I think this is a On-Off charger, not 3-stage charger. Here is the manual.

Probably similar to that no-name gizmo that came with your kit, only it will work. Voltage will be rising from 13.xx to 14.4, and then it shuts down. There is no one-hour stage #2 at 14.4V called Absorption, and there is no stage #3 called Float.

If you want a brand name 3-stage, you have to pay upwards of $80 for either MS, or Xantrex, or Steka, or other PWM chargers.
Some 3-stage chargers may have setpoints not adjustable, ex. Bulk 14.4 when your batts prefer 14.6.
Check Trace/Xantrex C12 maybe. Though you have to buy an optional remote temp-comp sensor - a good thing, better than on-board, but it costs another $20 and it looks like there is no on-board temp-comp there, so you HAVE to buy a remote sensor.

Westend is right, controller should be close to batts for the reasons of correct temperature measuring (when temperature sensor is on-board, not on-battery), and to prevent energy losses in cable too long. Your 15ft cable might be TAD long, so you can cut it shorter later if a shorter length still works for your setup, but this isn't terribly important at this low current.

MS Sunsaver 10A, $44 at Solar Blvd. I'd suggest you mount it close to the batteries instead of on the panels.

Almot wrote:

Shadow Catcher wrote:
You will be hard pressed to find a better controller than the Morningstar!

In PWM, yes.
MS Sunsaver 10 should do.
Though... If their temp range is wide, then remote temp sensing would be nice, and this unit has none. And, if their batts are AGM, then adjustable setpoints would be nice too, and again, this unit has no such thing (other than 14.1/14.4 selection).

I just have normal rv flooded and maybe 2 costco 6v in the future. Is it okay for them to be always at 14.4? I thought float should be at 13.6?

Shadow Catcher wrote:
You will be hard pressed to find a better controller than the Morningstar!

In PWM, yes.
MS Sunsaver 10 should do.
Though... If their temp range is wide, then remote temp sensing would be nice, and this unit has none. And, if their batts are AGM, then adjustable setpoints would be nice too, and again, this unit has no such thing (other than 14.1/14.4 selection).

I have been running the CMP12 for nearly a year now. For 15 bucks, it isn't a bad controller at all. Mine has worked perfectly, bulk charging to 14.4, then goes into float (blinking) mode, and settling to 13,2 volts. Every portable set I have ever seen uses this same controller And this would be the first one, if it is bad. But you can take the advice of some here and spend more on a controller than you paid for your whole kit,......or simply get on ebay and get another for $15

Shadow Catcher wrote:
You will be hard pressed to find a better controller than the Morningstar!

Ill look into it. Thank you.

You will be hard pressed to find a better controller than the Morningstar!

I need a controller that will maintain the batteries (charge when needed, float when not}and can be hooked up for long periods without cooking the batteries. Any other input on good controllers that will do this for me without costing an arm and a leg? I was already in contact with solarblvd with another issue from my shipment so I will address the controller issue with them.

Equalize!!!, that's funny.

I believe that is a shunt controller that is supposed to shut off at 13.7v (12v).
The directions do say to connect the batt first then the panel.

The cheapest PWN controller would be a better choice.

I would want more than a 10A controller for 160 watts.

As long as you disconnect when batt volt gets to upper 14s (say 15), you can use this to charge your battery with or without the controller.

More sophisticated controller (cheap PWM) will charge to 14.4-.8 or so, hold 14.4-.8 for some time then switch to float fo 13.?v. It would also increase these voltage when cold and reduce them when hot.

wouldn't be the first time that people had to replace a controller in such a kit with a proper one. Get some 10A PWM Morningstar Sunsaver from the same Solar Blvd store, and use the same jumper cables to connect it to battery.