I have had it with the cheap china $30 or $15 solar controllers. They do move voltage, but never seem to work the way they are advertised. And that tiny screw that only works with phone wire is not what I want when I am using heavy gauge wire.I am looking at the Morningstar units, for about ten times the price though.Is this a good choice?I have two 100 watt panels on the roof, and two 6 volt golf batteries in series for 12v.The solar charges the batteries and I run off the batteries.I also have power from the tow vehicle when driving, but this is not a heavy gauge wire, and it is hooked to the battery and not through a controller.I would like everything to be controlled (tv power, solar power, converter power, and outgoing power).I would like power cut off before I drain a battery dead.What are the best, and most price conscious options?Hoping to hear from those who KNOW rather than opinions too. thanks

Do you plan to expand the number of watts of solar?

I have a Tristar MPPT-60. Excellent controller and performs exactly as expected. Very flexible programming. Probably a bit much for 200 watts. There is a 30 amp version but I think you want a PWM controller.You need to use the load control circuit if you want to use the controller to cut power before the battery becomes overly discharged. Only issue is these circuits have a limited amp rating that you need to stay inside. Could protect with a fuse or breaker but that could be a pain in the neck also.Would an alarm work? Then you would have to cut power or charge the battery manually.search 'voltminder' (amazon)

I will probably upgrade to a Morningstar Tristar MPPT-60, but for now I run a Morningstar Sunsaver 20amp with my two 160w panels and its a good low cost controller witih temperature compensation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017OA5DH8

Morningstar is a quality product with good support. So is Blue Sky.

Any Solar EXPERTS? charge controller | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

RJsfishin
Explorer
Oct 31, 2016
No expert, but after several failed china cheapies, I love my flush mount Blue Skies
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Sky-30-Amp-12-Volt-SC30-PWM-Solar-Panel-Charge-Controller-/112170532398?hash=item1a1de27e2e:g:Uz0AAOSw8w1YACar
BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2016
Ed_Gee wrote:
I second what MrWizard said above. Grape Solar is
U.S. based .... I live about 50 miles from them ... and they sell quality products. If the Chinese made product is built to their specs, it is good ... just like Apple products.

I gather the Chinese engineers, trying to meet those US specs, sweat blood doing so, or else they get the chop with no mercy. Lots more where they came from, etc. Their bosses need the business or else they get the chop too. Yipes! No fun for some. :(
red31
Explorer
Oct 30, 2016
epsolar/epever have a dongle for bluetooth or wifi to android app!
monitor and set parameters
http://www.epsolarpv.com/en/index.php/Product/index2/id/360/am_id/132

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFIiDAw1R3M
allen8106
Explorer
Oct 29, 2016
Vote Morningstar!
Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Oct 28, 2016
I second what MrWizard said above. Grape Solar is
U.S. based .... I live about 50 miles from them ... and they sell quality products. If the Chinese made product is built to their specs, it is good ... just like Apple products.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 27, 2016
Grape Solar is a U.S. Company
Yes the controller is probably Mfg in China, but so is a lot of other electronics
It it made to the specs that grape solar ordered

Yes time will tell on the reliability
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 27, 2016
Go with what is purple and hums (i.e. the Grape controller)

Run from the battery not the controller.

marininn wrote:
Thanks, good info. I can see myself adding two more panels, for 400 watts, but probably never go higher.

I want to run the coach off the controller terminals, but I like running directly off the battery so I can use shorter runs and use larger wire.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 27, 2016
Hi,

There are external diode kits that are connected to the alternator available. This allows by passing the ECU and so much more charging can be done from the alternator to the house bank, compared to just running a charging wire.

time2roll wrote:
marininn wrote:
Also, to complicate it all, I really would like a third input source so I can run the alternator power through a controller too.
No controller is made for this purpose and there is no reason for it.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 27, 2016
marininn wrote:
Also, to complicate it all, I really would like a third input source so I can run the alternator power through a controller too.
No controller is made for this purpose and there is no reason for it.
marininn
Explorer
Oct 27, 2016
Mrwizard, that looks like the cheap china junk I am trying to get away from. They all work at first, let me know how it holds up after some use. can the bluetooth be turned off? the last thing I want is to have another source of radiation blasting me all night and day.