Need New Solar Charge Controller & Batt Monitor:

[DesertMax]

I've been out of the loop for a while and would like to find a medium priced controller and same for batt monitor.. I'll probably have about 150 watts of panels..

[Almot]

double post

[Almot]

No way I would say to just get 150W panel for solar-only living, with fridge, TV and CPAP.
For fridge and lights alone, - yes.
Or as an auxiliary source, like battery maintainer in addition to generator.

150W will harvest 25 AH in Ca or Az winter, - on a good day.

[DesertMax]

Thanks again for the avalanche of great solar information..
When I went full time in 2013 I had compiled half a notebook of notes and technical data. Much of it is coming back now with your help and things do not appear to have changed all that much..

At this point a couple of notes come to mind: I think it was Almot who said to just get a 150W panel...
and NinerBiker mentioned that he had a 150 and I think he said he got it for about $35.00?

Well this maybe the point of change I had anticipated because it may be true that every couple of years or so, prices on main components may have actually come down.. For instance HERE at Ebay they have a 150 mono panel for just 200 bucks..

[DesertMax]

brulaz, I remember those.. very budget minded yet highly effective piece of equipment.. thanks for that..

[brulaz]

Almot wrote:

...
AH meter, another $40.
...

Several of us have picked up one of these. They work well:
Ebay link

[Almot]

20A PWM in the Niner link, $40.
AH meter, another $40.
Invest the rest in one more 150W panel.
Your batteries will thank you.

[DesertMax]

Thanks..

[Almot]

Looks like happy hour is in full swing already 🙂

30A combo by Tri for $250-300 for a 150W panel?

20A Rogue MPPT - nice controller, I have their 30A version, but there is no need for MPPT here.

150W is fine with 10A controller.
Battery monitor is optional. You can get $40 meter on Amazon to measure AH if you think you need it.

If you need both controller and monitor, and plan on 400-500W array, and OK using PWM with array of that size (which is not a very common setup) - then getting a Tri combo makes sense. Tri controller is matched to their monitor, yes. It's an add-on, can't perform well on its own.

High-end standalone controllers can function on their own, though those are MPPT - you don't need those either.

[DesertMax]

Thanks so much for all the great responses..
smkettner, wow.. I had forgotten so much of what I learned back in 2013 & 14! Trimetric.. Of course! They match up their units like nobody else.. I had studied old Solar Bob, Crazy Bob.. can't remember his handle but everyone seems to know of him..
I also learned about how the cardboard wall mounted factory issued meters measure the voltage as it is in the wire "at that point" and not a true measurement at the battery so all high end componentry is really important. I'm getting Trimetric Controller and Batt Mon!
Great stuff.. I was once a Licensed Contractor and an Engineer and often worked both fields at the same time.. Now I have Complex Sleep Apnea and I think I'm getting reverse training.. Sad!

[NinerBikes]

20 amp adjustable voltage charge controller.


I run this with my 150W 12V 8.9 Amp poly solar panel. This is the unit I bought, but in the 20 amp model, for $35.99

my unit

I like that it will tell you the voltage at the battery terminal, versus the voltage set point.

[time2roll]

Monitor:
http://www.bestconverter.com/Trimetric-2030RV-Battery-System-Monitor_p_557.html#.V0uw8JErKUk

Controller:
http://www.bestconverter.com/SC-2030-Charge-Controller_p_558.html#.V0uxIZErKUk

These two are designed to be integrated with each other.
Great combo unless you need MPPT.

[Fire_Instructor]

Rogue Power Tech has a low cost / high performance MPPT unit.

[Shadow_Catcher]

I chose a Victron battery monitor and a Morningstar SunSaver MPPT controller.

[DesertMax]

Forgot about the PWM thing... thanks..