Usefulness Of MPPT Technology
This isn't a trick question. I wish to take a "Short Course" in the reality versus hype of MPPT control... Users who have MPPT and can report real-life experience... Let's say I get a pair of panel...
Forum Discussion
Mex
If I had your panels where I camp at high altitude I would expect roughly 24 amps peak. That's based on the output of my panel at 10,000 ft. Altitude and type of panel can really affect what you will see.
They do list efficiency on the MPPT controllers so one may do better than the other. Send me a Rogue 20a and I'll be glad to compare the output vs my Eco-worthy 20a side by side. ;) I wouldn't expect a huge difference between the two, The Rogues extra value is in build and features.
There's different ways to look at MPPT and it's worth. I've read that power wise it really doesn't matter if you are in a sunny location but that MPPT shows it's worth in lower light conditions. I have to agree because I see power before the sun breaks the horizon and in clouds so thick I can barely see where the sun is to aim the panel. The voltage may be lower but it still converts to 4-5 amps when I expected nothing at all. Not much you say? Well it was enough to keep us off the generator on a cold weekend in a dry campground.
Budget is another way to look at it. High voltage panels are cheaper than 12v but MPPT controllers are more expensive especially if you go with the pricier units. In my case I bought 24v panels because they were so cheap only to come here and find out that I had to spend 3x as much to use them. I found the Eco-worthy a year later but it is still twice as much as the panel it runs. Worth it, yes because the panels are worthless without MPPT.
Are these for your RV? I would say find out what panels FIT be they 12v or 24v and then work the rest out after.
If I had your panels where I camp at high altitude I would expect roughly 24 amps peak. That's based on the output of my panel at 10,000 ft. Altitude and type of panel can really affect what you will see.
They do list efficiency on the MPPT controllers so one may do better than the other. Send me a Rogue 20a and I'll be glad to compare the output vs my Eco-worthy 20a side by side. ;) I wouldn't expect a huge difference between the two, The Rogues extra value is in build and features.
There's different ways to look at MPPT and it's worth. I've read that power wise it really doesn't matter if you are in a sunny location but that MPPT shows it's worth in lower light conditions. I have to agree because I see power before the sun breaks the horizon and in clouds so thick I can barely see where the sun is to aim the panel. The voltage may be lower but it still converts to 4-5 amps when I expected nothing at all. Not much you say? Well it was enough to keep us off the generator on a cold weekend in a dry campground.
Budget is another way to look at it. High voltage panels are cheaper than 12v but MPPT controllers are more expensive especially if you go with the pricier units. In my case I bought 24v panels because they were so cheap only to come here and find out that I had to spend 3x as much to use them. I found the Eco-worthy a year later but it is still twice as much as the panel it runs. Worth it, yes because the panels are worthless without MPPT.
Are these for your RV? I would say find out what panels FIT be they 12v or 24v and then work the rest out after.
