Testing the new to me NON MPPT 20 amp Charge controller

[NinerBikes]

I ordered this on Amazon, it came from China. While it is stated that it is MPPT, I bought it with only the intentions of running it in it's PWM mode.

What I have found it that this unit pretty much will give you all the read outs you want. Charging Amp Rate, cutoff voltage setting if you want it to shut off and save the battery at anything below 12.1 or 12.0V... just set it. You can set the battery to load mode from 0 to 24 hours also.

The bulk charge rate is the coolest feature on this unit. You can program it to 15.0V, or 15.3V no problem, stock I think it is set at 13.8V, if you have AGM's, set it for 14.4 V or what ever your manufacturer suggests.


It also has another feature, in that you can change your Max V setting to 16.0V if YOU FIRST turn the load off, ie DISCONNECT THE ELECTRONICS and refrige circuit board from the circuit, and then set to 16.0V you can do an equalization charge to your battery via solar, for those occasions where the SG is sagging on your favorite lead acid Car jars, and your battery just needs to get the funk charged out of it to get the sulfation out of the plates and back into the battery acid.

This is a very, very user friendly unit. It too does give about .3V more than showing on the display, but the battery never seems to show the extra .3V with a DMM on it, it kind of averages out all the pulse
charges.

I think I paid $32.50 for this. For the money, I find this particular model has, for me, the most useful display.

Some backround: I am running this controller with a big unwieldy 150W 12v panel that puts out 8.8 Amps Isc at 18.8V. It has replaced my 120W Solar Blvd portable panel kit complete, that is now for sale. The 120W portable kit for sale is a great way to get your feet wet in solar panel charging your batteries for dry camping or boondocking. PM me if interested in it.


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[Snowman9000]

I'm on both sides of the fence.

I bought an eco-worthy PWM for under $20, and it failed after a few uses. Then try to get help.

You can buy a Morningstar Sunsaver 20, a high quality unit, for $54, maybe less. My best offer was $54 and they took it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390959321802?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Of the two, I prefer the latter as a better performer and value. I have no experience with the Solar30, but it does look intriguing for the hands-on type of owner.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Mariners have deep pockets. I don't.

Cost per watt delivered to the battery works. Mppt works when the roof real estate has all been used up.

I'd love to tilt--but only using a remote control. So far the cost of doing so is astronomical compared to panel pricing.

09FLSTC wrote:
Mariners have it figured out.

[JiminDenver]

There are plenty of snooty forums out there and you are right, they don't want to talk about the low end stuff. Buy big, expensive and most likely what their sponsor sells or they will run you off.

Now if you want or need info on the "better" controllers, it's here. Do a search and you will find it.

As far as the budget controllers not being worth anything. My inexpensive MPPT controller is as functional for me at this time as those costing 2,3 or 4 times as much. The ebay PWM controllers are as functional and the affordability factor has allowed many more to get into solar than ever before. They may not fit a mariners needs, but they fit ours.

[09FLSTC]

I'm fully convinced if anybody wants to learn about solar controllers, whether PWM or MPPT, the rv.net tech section is not the place to learn. I've never seen anything worth more than $10 and then it takes 5-10 pages of thrift mods to realize its just another chicom POS. Fun to watch though. Mariners have it figured out.

[MrWizard]

Tracer 2210rn $116

either a reviewer posted the previous pic to the wrong device or amazons image data base got screwed up

strange.. dang.. OK nice catch..thanks..stay alert out there

[JiminDenver]

Awwww, shucks. I never get to have any fun.

[MrWizard]

NinerBikes wrote:
Mr. Wizard, you ARE the Wizard for that find! That should make the MPPT crowde mighty happy, if it works as it's supposed to. We need someone with 30 amps worth or near there with 24v panels to give it a test... I sense a job for Mena661!

Don't need 30 amps just need the high voltage low amps to see if it's changed to low voltage high amps

The voltage is the key...need those 24v panels our two 12 volt panels in series

[JiminDenver]

NinerBikes wrote:
We need someone with 30 amps worth or near there with 24v panels to give it a test

What did you want blown up again?

[mena661]

NinerBikes wrote:
I sense a job for Mena661!

Gaahhhhh! LOL! I don't have any panels to test yet. Soon...soon. Besides I already have a controller.

[BFL13]

60 years ago, when my dad came back from Hong Kong from cruises, he brought us kids "Chinese Puzzles" which were wood or metal things that fit together in clever ways. You spent hours trying to put them back together.

IMO solar controllers with MPPT/fake MPPT is a new form of Chinese Puzzle! 🙂

[Salvo]

They're saying they don't need the inductor for mppt.

The OP's controller has no inductor. Don't need to take it apart.

The only way to verify if it indeed does mppt is to run the test I outlined.

[BFL13]

Mr Wiz, very confusing. It says under the image that the inductor is for the Tracer 2210 which is a different true MPPT controller usually going for about $140 last time I looked. The note in red writing says the inductor is not required for the ordinary user.

No idea what is meant to be what. Niner should take his apart and let us know for sure. Maybe there are different versions of this thing?

[NinerBikes]

Mr. Wizard, you ARE the Wizard for that find! That should make the MPPT crowde mighty happy, if it works as it's supposed to. We need someone with 30 amps worth or near there with 24v panels to give it a test... I sense a job for Mena661!

[MrWizard]

this one has the BIG coil transformer...should be MPPT as adv
coil is on the backside of the board



qianqsun 30 mppt controller

to see this image on the amazon page
you must click the expand image link and choose the last image bottom right hand corner

on sale $47

dont remember what lead me there. but i was searching the images looking for the transformer on different controllers and found this one