Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the video! It's a ton of info but I found an awesome video that goes into the technical differences between PWM and MPPT. Check it out here if you're interested in learning more of the "dirty details" → ua-cam.com/video/wmyuxKmlBCk/v-deo.html. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer as many as I can... see you all on the next one 😎 ☀️
im about to buy a system for my VW Rialta RV and i have 2 batteries already ran off the car that charges them but i want i want my own boondockind tech deck for my fridga nd computer and camera gear n tv basiclally everything but the AC! amazon has alot of decent deals around 60$ for 200 watts is what i want and i have a 2000 inverter already to hookup,so what solar panel, ,controller and baterry should i get?? ..btw cant afford Lithium yet..
A question about the size of the controller : my system and my batteries are 12V, what If I connect my 2 12V 135W solar panels in series, do I divide 270 by 24 or by 12 ?
very easy to understand even from someone like me, a senior woman, who does not know anything but wants to build a solar powered small home. Thank you.
As a practical matter in the context of a RV, except for very large arrays in very exposed situations and very careful panel placement, a PWM controller will come very close to most MPPT. Shading as you have noted is important and can be an overwhelming factor in a solar rig that moves from place to place and is affected by AC covers, campsite locations etc.
Incredible knowledge. I watched all three videos - panels, batteries, and controllers. Now I feel more comfortable talking with the solar companies. Thank you.
As always incredibly clear and concise information that even I can comprehend, not that I'm unintelligent, my brain was just never wired for any electrical information; looks like that is slowly changing thanks to you. Thanks for sharing.
On smaller systems, it's worth noting that under 10watts MPPT stop tracking - so I use PWM on a small 20 watts system on my shed for charging car batteries with a well-matched panel that peaks at 17.5v - and an MPPT on my 280-watt system on my motor home where the panel peaks at 32volt and the lifepo4 battery is charged at 14.4volt. So i would say well-matched panels on sub 40watt systems PWM works well
To make it simple for folks the way to go if you do not live where the sun shines all day and is cloudy alot, go with a MPPT controller. In a 12 volt battery system wire your panels for a 24 volt system. The MPPT can handle the higher voltage and charge your 12 volt batterys. The advantage is when cloudy the panels will still be putting out higher voltage with fewer amps to the controller. The controller changes the voltage into more amps to charge the batterys at 12 volts. But if you're out in the desert or where you get sunshine most of the day, either type MPPT or PWM will work fine. I found that a MPPT charge controller taking in wired for 24 volts solar panels will be charging a 12 volt battery system at nite parked under a street light!!!
Just came across this video. Holy smokes, Outstanding vid, out of dozens, this is the BEST, most concise and easiest to understand I have seen!!! A little late but many thanks!! ☺
Simple and concise explanation of the controller differences. This is going to help me build my solar system on my Overland truck build. Thanks for being so factual
Hi There Its Beare Ramlal here from Gauteng, South Africa. Your videos are extremely useful. I'm currently designing a solar system for my small holding (small farm) Thanks for this initiative
Love it. Thanks. I find the simple illustration all I need. I am not too tech savvy so your videos will help me select what I need. Stay well & keep having fun.
I understand the 50 amp requirement for the 600 watt solar system. But do a 600 watt solar array ever produce 600 watts. Most panels are only 15 to 20 percent efficient. Cheers great video
So I connected a square foot solar panel to a 12 volt battery that was drained to 11 volts. The solar panel puts out 24-28 volts. After a few hours, the battery was back to 12 volts. Please explain why I need a "charge controller"..thank you for the video-better than most....
Thanks for the guide, and about sizing, is it okay if you already have an available 20a SCC but then you only have a single solar Panel , can you use it to the 100w panel , while you are still planning to have a parallel Solar array soon? Or do I really need to calculate the panel and battery 1st and follow the recommendation for the SCC size? Thanks again...
Just found your channel. U do the best job I have seen simplifying the solar process. Will subscribe. Look forward to watching the archived stuff. Peace!
So I'm planning on making a solar system with 2 100w solar panels and I'm not to make a battery with eve 280ah cells with a daly 200a or higher bms and I was wondering if I was able to use a pwm charge controller for that kinda of system or would I have to get a mttp charge controller I'm building it for a micro camper
I’m only charging one deep cycle battery for my camping fridge for weekends ,I think I will stick with my PMW , and it’s shows me on the back when the fridge is using or isn’t using ,
That other kid did a live comparison with different price mppt and pwm controllers and found little to no actual difference in the performance. About 2-4 watts.. There was one test condition that had around 40watts for the mppt CC. But this was a small window and thus having watched the live showing of a wide range of CC's I was going to get a mppt, but will not bother with the 7 times the price for 2 watts. My next consideration is micro inverters, but they're grid tied, there are no batteries. And they are split, so you can have half the array shaded and it will maximize power. Each unit supports 4 panels and you can string them together up to 6 units. I will be trying a buck converter, as really the mppt is just one of these with a voltage check, if it lowers the voltages, it raises the amps, so if you have a 18v 4 amp and need and are charging a 12v battery. You may get 13v at 6 amps... Or if you have a 33v 8 amp, you would get near 15amps. There 87-99% efficient depending on what you buy, but there around the same price as a cheap PWM controller. But you would need to add a cut off..
Nice😊 But pannels dont produce exactly 12 volts.. they can go up to 20 volts.. So keeping this variation in mind.. how can we select a solar charger both in MPPT & PWM
Controllers come with an open (max voltage allowable) voltage rating. Use that figure for calculations.. BTW...I have panels labeled as 20 volt, 30volt and 80 volt. Get a multimeter and starty measuring maximum voltage and current. Be careful.
I have a 100 watt panel output about 18V and need to charge 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries in parallel on my camper, is there anything besides what amp charger I should be concerned with?
Hello from Canada! I have question, how do you determine size of your battery bank, how many amps base on your solar system. Let say if I have 400 W solar what would you recommend? Thx Steve
Hello, Just got the SMK MPPT Solar Charge controller, Please i need to understand the parameters,I know PV means voltage from sun P means charging power and U means voltage of battery what does Today mean? and when do u know the battery is fully charged as well as when do we know we are using the solar panel for grid and not the charge stored in the battery?
Thank you very much for the awesome videos full of information. But one suggestion please which many you tubers neglect. When you show some diagram, please show it for a long time. We can hear your voice but we miss necessary information in the diagram. A diagram conveys more information than what you talk the same. You can talk in the background but please show the diagrams for a long time. Thanks and sorry if I annoyed you or anybody.
What if your solar array produces more amps than what you can find an average MPPT controller? Can you hook up two controllers to the same battery bank? For example, I want to have 8 - 310w solar panels. Each panel is rated at, (36.54V and 8.49A) which is (36.54V x 8.49A=310.22 rated watts per panel) even at 48v system configuration, it would be 51 amps.
The price difference between PWM and MPPT isn't as great as it was when this video was created. Back then, there simply weren't many inexpensive MPPT controllers around. It's different today. For example, the EPEver Tracer 2206 AN controller is a 20 amp MPPT controller and is available on Amazon for around $60. I just installed one on my sister's Lance 1575 (200 watt system). It works great. But I agree with others who said that PWM can be just fine in many situations. In fact, I've had a PWM controller in my camper for the past 11 years and have never needed MPPT. MPPT is great when two situations happen frequently: Your battery bank is discharged fairly deeply, and you camp in colder climates. The first one is true because MPPT does it's magic best during absorption (aka boost) stage of charging. After that, the controller is throttling back on the amps anyway. If you don't discharge your battery bank very deeply, the controller won't be spending much time in absorption stage. The second is because the solar panels' Vmp (max power voltage) is highest when the panels are cooler. That translates to more watts when the MPPT controller operates the panels at that higher voltage. For most people with small systems though, PWM is just fine. But if the price difference isn't much, might as well get MPPT.
Would love to see a vid about the differences between mppt vs own. I want to learn as much as I can about solar so I can engineer mine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Hey Todd. There is a link to the technical video on these two types of controllers in my pinned comment on this video. Hope this helps give you all the info you need. Thanks for watching!
please can you do a video on how to properly size your charge controller for you solar pales. Example lets say i have 64 panels of 150watts each. how can i select a suitable charge controller?
Excellent videos, thank you. How do you decide if you want, need a 12 volt, or a 24 volt system? I realize RV's, and travel trailers use 12 volt mostly, does that mean most household appliances are 24? What about power tools in my garage?
Usually you can draw 12 or 24 from a 24 volt battery bank. To run household appliances requires more equipment and can be both costly and complicated. I am sure there a videos about this on this channel.
I've had a Tristar PWM for years and it's worked well. But for the last year it's barely ever diverted overcharge to my dump load, and always indicates state of charge as being below maximum even on long, sunny days. I measured my batteries and they're waaay overcharged...up to 30% over. I'll go to an MTTP I reckon.
Thank you. Amazing videos. Can you make a video about different types of inverters like Growatt or Must and what does hybrid means and being PH or PV... Thanks
I have a 200 (2 panel) Renogy kit with PWM controller with 2 6 volt golf cart batteries totaling 225 amps at 12 volt. I plan on getting a 2000 watt pure sine inverter so I could run my microwave along with other things on the RV completely off grid. I would like to be able to use 110 amps per 24 hours and completely recharge that amount. Would I get more efficiency buying two more hundred watt panels and keeping my pwm controller or 1 - 100 watt panel (bringing the total to 300watts) and a MTTP controller?
I have a similar system and the problem is not the panels or controller but the batteries. If your microwave is a small 600 watt unit that is 50 amps at 12 volts and over 100 amps if a 1200+ watt microwave plus if you are running anything else. Batteries to not last long if you discharge them much over 20-25 amps load or below 50% charge. For example your 225 amp hour battery will last much longer at a 25 amp per hour discharge for 4 hours than 100 amps per hour for one hour. Yes, I know you will not run your microwave that long but the idea is to keep the battery load below 25 amps per hour. l would add more battery capacity. My AGM 110 amp hr 12 volt batteries 10 years old and working well.
GIGman azmt yah but having more panels is necessary or you could under charge consistently. You will need both. More panels and more batteries. And an mppt controller. Morning stars you can do up to 60amps I believe, and about 5 panels to max. 110 amps per 24 hours constantly? That’s a large load for that system it sounds like. Maybe you mean 110 amps in a 24 hour period.
Thanks for the video! Just 1 question. Why do you size de controller with FVP(W)/Sistem V (V)? Isnt the current of the solar string limited by the module itself?
Would it be too hard to slow down or do you have a time constraint limiting the length of the videos? I keep having to stop your videos and back up to have time to absorb what I’m learning from you. Thank you. Good stuff!
I'm working on building my 2nd off-grid boat dock (this one is for a friend). I went with PWM for mine for a number of reasons. If I have a 2-panel array in an area (no buildings or trees nearby) where there is no shade (other than clouds). Is there any efficiency benefit to MPPT in this situation? Each panel should be able to receive the same amount of sunlight all the time. I'm trying to decide whether it is more important to choose higher wattage panels or an MPPT. For my friend's dock, I'm trying to decide whether to go with a 12v battery configuration and whether I should choose a 12v array or a 24v array along with whether to pick MPPT or PWM. On a cloudy day, I see my PWM system charges at around 10% of panel capacity -- 670w array charges at around 67w with full cloud cover. Would an MPPT system achieve higher efficiencies in this situation? With my current load, that means I have around 10 watts of excess power that goes towards charging the batteries. I have 210aH, 24v battery array, so that gives me plenty of storage to last through a few days/nights of full cloud cover. I'm hoping I can accomplish the same for my friend but by spending as little as possible.
I need a video on 4, 6 volt batterys wired sitting side by side to make 12 volts with positive wire to a trailer on the left side and ground on the right side then attached a solar wireing from a controller attached along with a 3000 watt inverter attached,,,, every other battery banki see on UA-cam is set 2 on top 2 below mine is 4 across the tongue of my travel trailer can ypu help me ?
Hi Duet Justus, thanks for the info. I'm about to buy a new ,MKS 2KVA DC 230v hybrid solar inverter with build in 50a controller, my question is, is this inverter a pure sine wave or a modified sine wave.any one who knows pls ur info is welcome. Thanks.
Well, didn't answer my question! Is it bad to have a higher amp controller? For example, could it harm the system if I put a 50 amp charge controller on a 100 watt solar system, with one 12volt battery?
No, the amp rating is a maximum. Almost all power supplies are constant voltage power supplies, and will only supply amps according to ohm's law, I=V/R
Great video Michael: Solar Edge advertises that they have panels that have individual controls so one damaged panel in a string does not compromise the rest. Does the MPPT charge controller also do this ? I hope you cover this later in the series
Great video - But, yep you know this but was coming. I have to use a PWM controller as I have yet to find a Dual battery(bank) MPPT charge controller that will charge two separate battery banks correctly. There are a number which will provide full charge capability to one bank (say 30A) and about an amp trickle charge to another. If you know different then let me know, please. Whilst I realise the video was basic you could do a more complex "techy" version as there is far more to both controllers. eg the PWM is far more than an off switch and many do not understand MPPT at all :-)
Is there a charge controller that when your battery is full it uses the energy directly from the solar panels saving the batteries only when the sun is down, if so please name the brand so I can purchase it
fantastic video!! Question: I have 300a of solar panels, which means I need 25amps controller. Would a 20amp be close enough or should I trade for a 40amp?
I had hoped you would cover the MPPT, with a 24 or 36 volt series array, into the MPPT controller at the high(2x), voltage, then exiting(voltage reduction), to charge a 12 volt array and 12v load
Most helpfull. I am trying to design a solar system with as much efficiency as is reasonably possible. I need help to design it. I need a compentent installer with a reliable back up service. Would you be able and prepared to do that? I would of course pay for your services. There are many ways to go wrong in this game. I am quite good at practical matters.
Interesting and Rich info and lecture on solar energy. I need your help on my solar system. I have a 5kva 48 Volts solar inverter system with two types of solar panels, 16 panels in all. 8 x 250W 24 volts panel. 8 x 330 24 volts panel. 12 batteries 12Volt 200 AH battery system. Wiring: the wiring is 2Series x 8 Parallel. Maximum PV wattage output less than 1000W. No charge controller installed as Inverter is Hybrid Inverter. Panels are about 50 feet away from Inverter and storage. Please, what do I do to get more output from the Panel as output is about 25% of installed capacity?
What if your solar panels have solar charge controllers on them and the solar generator has a solar charge controller on it would that be a bad thing? Is it better if the solar panel have a charge controller on itself then feed a regular charge controller. Or once the solar panel sends voltage from the panel controller it can go directly to battery without any worries? Reply
You can use a PWM controller even if the panel is 18-20 V with a 12 V battery. It just doesn't want to be able to make use of the Voltage over/above 12 Volt. That's one the big differences between a PWM and MPPT controller! Right???
Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the video! It's a ton of info but I found an awesome video that goes into the technical differences between PWM and MPPT. Check it out here if you're interested in learning more of the "dirty details" → ua-cam.com/video/wmyuxKmlBCk/v-deo.html. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer as many as I can... see you all on the next one 😎 ☀️
Duet Justus thanks
hi
how to making solar
im about to buy a system for my VW Rialta RV and i have 2 batteries already ran off the car that charges them but i want i want my own boondockind tech deck for my fridga nd computer and camera gear n tv basiclally everything but the AC!
amazon has alot of decent deals around 60$ for 200 watts is what i want and i have a 2000 inverter already to hookup,so what solar panel, ,controller and baterry should i get?? ..btw cant afford Lithium yet..
A question about the size of the controller : my system and my batteries are 12V, what If I connect my 2 12V 135W solar panels in series, do I divide 270 by 24 or by 12 ?
very easy to understand even from someone like me, a senior woman, who does not know anything but wants to build a solar powered small home. Thank you.
As a practical matter in the context of a RV, except for very large arrays in very exposed situations and very careful panel placement, a PWM controller will come very close to most MPPT. Shading as you have noted is important and can be an overwhelming factor in a solar rig that moves from place to place and is affected by AC covers, campsite locations etc.
Incredible knowledge. I watched all three videos - panels, batteries, and controllers. Now I feel more comfortable talking with the solar companies. Thank you.
As always incredibly clear and concise information that even I can comprehend, not that I'm unintelligent, my brain was just never wired for any electrical information; looks like that is slowly changing thanks to you. Thanks for sharing.
You have been the only one that has broken it down in an understandable manner. Thank you!!
On smaller systems, it's worth noting that under 10watts MPPT stop tracking - so I use PWM on a small 20 watts system on my shed for charging car batteries with a well-matched panel that peaks at 17.5v - and an MPPT on my 280-watt system on my motor home where the panel peaks at 32volt and the lifepo4 battery is charged at 14.4volt. So i would say well-matched panels on sub 40watt systems PWM works well
To make it simple for folks the way to go if you do not live where the sun shines all day and is cloudy alot, go with a MPPT controller. In a 12 volt battery system wire your panels for a 24 volt system. The MPPT can handle the higher voltage and charge your 12 volt batterys. The advantage is when cloudy the panels will still be putting out higher voltage with fewer amps to the controller. The controller changes the voltage into more amps to charge the batterys at 12 volts.
But if you're out in the desert or where you get sunshine most of the day, either type MPPT or PWM will work fine.
I found that a MPPT charge controller taking in wired for 24 volts solar panels will be charging a 12 volt battery system at nite parked under a street light!!!
Great info here. Thanks!
For real
THX MUCH HOGCAT
Just came across this video. Holy smokes, Outstanding vid, out of dozens, this is the BEST, most concise and easiest to
understand I have seen!!! A little late but many thanks!! ☺
Simple and concise explanation of the controller differences. This is going to help me build my solar system on my Overland truck build.
Thanks for being so factual
Hi There
Its Beare Ramlal here from Gauteng, South Africa. Your videos are extremely useful. I'm currently designing a solar system for my small holding (small farm)
Thanks for this initiative
With each video, I get one step closer to installing solar on our rv! Thanks...VERY helpful, VERY informative!
You're so welcome Tom!
This is exactly what I have been looking for! Thank you. Great video!
You articulated everything well, and were concise, so I gave you a sub for not wasting my time! This is what I look for in videos
Love it. Thanks. I find the simple illustration all I need. I am not too tech savvy so your videos will help me select what I need. Stay well & keep having fun.
😎 👍🏼
I spent hours trying to get these answers through other videos. Thank you for sharing this info! Super informative and helpful👍🏼
Awesome! So glad it is helpful!
Excellent explanation without too much wordies.
I will change PWM to MPPT soon!
Hey, i love your simple and straight explanation. It really helps me. Thanks mate.
I understand the 50 amp requirement for the 600 watt solar system. But do a 600 watt solar array ever produce 600 watts. Most panels are only 15 to 20 percent efficient. Cheers great video
So I connected a square foot solar panel to a 12 volt battery that was drained to 11 volts. The solar panel puts out 24-28 volts. After a few hours, the battery was back to 12 volts. Please explain why I need a "charge controller"..thank you for the video-better than most....
Thanks for keeping it simple.
A lot of useful content in 7 minutes. Thanks!
Thanks for the guide, and about sizing, is it okay if you already have an available 20a SCC but then you only have a single solar Panel , can you use it to the 100w panel , while you are still planning to have a parallel Solar array soon? Or do I really need to calculate the panel and battery 1st and follow the recommendation for the SCC size? Thanks again...
Just found your channel. U do the best job I have seen simplifying the solar process. Will subscribe. Look forward to watching the archived stuff. Peace!
Keep up the video, this is a must have info.
So I'm planning on making a solar system with 2 100w solar panels and I'm not to make a battery with eve 280ah cells with a daly 200a or higher bms and I was wondering if I was able to use a pwm charge controller for that kinda of system or would I have to get a mttp charge controller I'm building it for a micro camper
I’m only charging one deep cycle battery for my camping fridge for weekends ,I think I will stick with my PMW , and it’s shows me on the back when the fridge is using or isn’t using ,
I have a Fronius primo inverter - not suitable for batteries in the future. Can you expand the Fronius system with an MPPT charger and batteries?
Curious about this. Some PWM charge controllers will output 12v with a 24V input from the panels.
Why do you believe this cannot be done?
That other kid did a live comparison with different price mppt and pwm controllers and found little to no actual difference in the performance. About 2-4 watts..
There was one test condition that had around 40watts for the mppt CC. But this was a small window and thus having watched the live showing of a wide range of CC's I was going to get a mppt, but will not bother with the 7 times the price for 2 watts.
My next consideration is micro inverters, but they're grid tied, there are no batteries. And they are split, so you can have half the array shaded and it will maximize power. Each unit supports 4 panels and you can string them together up to 6 units.
I will be trying a buck converter, as really the mppt is just one of these with a voltage check, if it lowers the voltages, it raises the amps, so if you have a 18v 4 amp and need and are charging a 12v battery. You may get 13v at 6 amps... Or if you have a 33v 8 amp, you would get near 15amps.
There 87-99% efficient depending on what you buy, but there around the same price as a cheap PWM controller.
But you would need to add a cut off..
Nice😊
But pannels dont produce exactly 12 volts.. they can go up to 20 volts..
So keeping this variation in mind.. how can we select a solar charger both in MPPT & PWM
Controllers come with an open (max voltage allowable) voltage rating. Use that figure for calculations.. BTW...I have panels labeled as 20 volt, 30volt and 80 volt. Get a multimeter and starty measuring maximum voltage and current. Be careful.
Great articulate and informative videos sir. Thank you.
I have a 100 watt panel output about 18V and need to charge 2 12 volt deep cycle batteries in parallel on my camper, is there anything besides what amp charger I should be concerned with?
Question? Can a MPPT charge controller be used with lead acid batteries? THX
which MPPT charge controller is the best to buy for a 3000 watt 24-volt system
Hello from Canada!
I have question, how do you determine size of your battery bank, how many amps base on your solar system. Let say if I have 400 W solar what would you recommend?
Thx
Steve
We get one step closer to installing solar on our rv! Thanks
Hello, Just got the SMK MPPT Solar Charge controller, Please i need to understand the parameters,I know PV means voltage from sun P means charging power and U means voltage of battery what does Today mean? and when do u know the battery is fully charged as well as when do we know we are using the solar panel for grid and not the charge stored in the battery?
Fantastic! Crystal clear explanation and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.
Nice and appreciative,but i need to see the diagram of the panel to the inverter to the battery and the building
Good well laid out information. I like the comparison charts too.
Thank you very much for the awesome videos full of information. But one suggestion please which many you tubers neglect.
When you show some diagram, please show it for a long time. We can hear your voice but we miss necessary information in the diagram. A diagram conveys more information than what you talk the same. You can talk in the background but please show the diagrams for a long time. Thanks and sorry if I annoyed you or anybody.
pause it
Thanks I always learn something from your videos! I always wondered about the amp size controller needed. Thanks so much.👍
You're welcome Darrell 😊
What if your solar array produces more amps than what you can find an average MPPT controller? Can you hook up two controllers to the same battery bank? For example, I want to have 8 - 310w solar panels. Each panel is rated at, (36.54V and 8.49A) which is (36.54V x 8.49A=310.22 rated watts per panel) even at 48v system configuration, it would be 51 amps.
The price difference between PWM and MPPT isn't as great as it was when this video was created. Back then, there simply weren't many inexpensive MPPT controllers around. It's different today. For example, the EPEver Tracer 2206 AN controller is a 20 amp MPPT controller and is available on Amazon for around $60. I just installed one on my sister's Lance 1575 (200 watt system). It works great. But I agree with others who said that PWM can be just fine in many situations. In fact, I've had a PWM controller in my camper for the past 11 years and have never needed MPPT. MPPT is great when two situations happen frequently: Your battery bank is discharged fairly deeply, and you camp in colder climates. The first one is true because MPPT does it's magic best during absorption (aka boost) stage of charging. After that, the controller is throttling back on the amps anyway. If you don't discharge your battery bank very deeply, the controller won't be spending much time in absorption stage. The second is because the solar panels' Vmp (max power voltage) is highest when the panels are cooler. That translates to more watts when the MPPT controller operates the panels at that higher voltage. For most people with small systems though, PWM is just fine. But if the price difference isn't much, might as well get MPPT.
Thanks for input...
thx for your video and also for the reference to the AU Direct video... both much appreciated.
Can I buy a bigger amp controller than what I need? I plan on buying more panels and want to be prepared
Would love to see a vid about the differences between mppt vs own. I want to learn as much as I can about solar so I can engineer mine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Hey Todd. There is a link to the technical video on these two types of controllers in my pinned comment on this video. Hope this helps give you all the info you need. Thanks for watching!
please can you do a video on how to properly size your charge controller for you solar pales. Example lets say i have 64 panels of 150watts each. how can i select a suitable charge controller?
I'm a home stead homie checking out your channel
Welcome Lisa! Thanks for stopping by! 😎 It's great to have a fellow Homestead Homie along for the ride.
Excellent videos, thank you. How do you decide if you want, need a 12 volt, or a 24 volt system? I realize RV's, and travel trailers use 12 volt mostly, does that mean most household appliances are 24? What about power tools in my garage?
Usually you can draw 12 or 24 from a 24 volt battery bank. To run household appliances requires more equipment and can be both costly and complicated. I am sure there a videos about this on this channel.
Wonderful information! Very helpful and clear. Thank you very much! 👍👍😊
😊😊😊👍🏼☀️
I've had a Tristar PWM for years and it's worked well. But for the last year it's barely ever diverted overcharge to my dump load, and always indicates state of charge as being below maximum even on long, sunny days. I measured my batteries and they're waaay overcharged...up to 30% over. I'll go to an MTTP I reckon.
Please I would like to know how to detect the current the charger controllers produce
Thanks for the straight forward en simple explanation. Ma question is how do you do the setting on the mppt charge controller?
Hi Michael. I have 6-495w panels,with 4-170amp agm batteries, what size MPPT would I need. Thanks Reg.
These panels are 11-45amps. Thanks Reg
Which 2 videos where you talked before this one?
always you are in right track ,informative
Thank you. Amazing videos. Can you make a video about different types of inverters like Growatt or Must and what does hybrid means and being PH or PV... Thanks
another great video ! well done !
I have a 200 (2 panel) Renogy kit with PWM controller with 2 6 volt golf cart batteries totaling 225 amps at 12 volt. I plan on getting a 2000 watt pure sine inverter so I could run my microwave along with other things on the RV completely off grid. I would like to be able to use 110 amps per 24 hours and completely recharge that amount. Would I get more efficiency buying two more hundred watt panels and keeping my pwm controller or 1 - 100 watt panel (bringing the total to 300watts) and a MTTP controller?
I have a similar system and the problem is not the panels or controller but the batteries. If your microwave is a small 600 watt unit that is 50 amps at 12 volts and over 100 amps if a 1200+ watt microwave plus if you are running anything else. Batteries to not last long if you discharge them much over 20-25 amps load or below 50% charge. For example your 225 amp hour battery will last much longer at a 25 amp per hour discharge for 4 hours than 100 amps per hour for one hour. Yes, I know you will not run your microwave that long but the idea is to keep the battery load below 25 amps per hour. l would add more battery capacity. My AGM 110 amp hr 12 volt batteries 10 years old and working well.
GIGman azmt yah but having more panels is necessary or you could under charge consistently. You will need both. More panels and more batteries. And an mppt controller. Morning stars you can do up to 60amps I believe, and about 5 panels to max.
110 amps per 24 hours constantly? That’s a large load for that system it sounds like. Maybe you mean 110 amps in a 24 hour period.
how to choose between high volts and high amps ? what are the possibilities we can go through them. i mean which charges the battery faster ?
Thanks for the video! Just 1 question. Why do you size de controller with FVP(W)/Sistem V (V)? Isnt the current of the solar string limited by the module itself?
Clear concise explanation. Thanks
Very well explained
Great man..i want to run solar panel and wind turbine togethere .can i attach both different energiese in one battery bank and inverter?
Would it be too hard to slow down or do you have a time constraint limiting the length of the videos? I keep having to stop your videos and back up to have time to absorb what I’m learning from you. Thank you. Good stuff!
You can slow down the video in the setup gear.
Very good videos. I am always learning. Best regards from Holland
Can I use 60a SCC for 4pcs 455watts panel in a 24v system?
@Duetjustus A questuon here do 24v or 48v which battery arrangment last the longest ?
You have been helpful in your explanation and its really amazing thank you so much for those details.
I'm working on building my 2nd off-grid boat dock (this one is for a friend). I went with PWM for mine for a number of reasons. If I have a 2-panel array in an area (no buildings or trees nearby) where there is no shade (other than clouds). Is there any efficiency benefit to MPPT in this situation?
Each panel should be able to receive the same amount of sunlight all the time. I'm trying to decide whether it is more important to choose higher wattage panels or an MPPT. For my friend's dock, I'm trying to decide whether to go with a 12v battery configuration and whether I should choose a 12v array or a 24v array along with whether to pick MPPT or PWM.
On a cloudy day, I see my PWM system charges at around 10% of panel capacity -- 670w array charges at around 67w with full cloud cover. Would an MPPT system achieve higher efficiencies in this situation? With my current load, that means I have around 10 watts of excess power that goes towards charging the batteries. I have 210aH, 24v battery array, so that gives me plenty of storage to last through a few days/nights of full cloud cover.
I'm hoping I can accomplish the same for my friend but by spending as little as possible.
Thanks for explaining.
is there a solar panel that is 1000w?? What AC do you recommend for offgrid living??
I need a video on 4, 6 volt batterys wired sitting side by side to make 12 volts with positive wire to a trailer on the left side and ground on the right side then attached a solar wireing from a controller attached along with a 3000 watt inverter attached,,,, every other battery banki see on UA-cam is set 2 on top 2 below mine is 4 across the tongue of my travel trailer can ypu help me ?
Great teacher
Hi Duet Justus, thanks for the info. I'm about to buy a new ,MKS 2KVA DC 230v hybrid solar inverter with build in 50a controller, my question is, is this inverter a pure sine wave or a modified sine wave.any one who knows pls ur info is welcome. Thanks.
Well, didn't answer my question! Is it bad to have a higher amp controller? For example, could it harm the system if I put a 50 amp charge controller on a 100 watt solar system, with one 12volt battery?
No, the amp rating is a maximum. Almost all power supplies are constant voltage power supplies, and will only supply amps according to ohm's law, I=V/R
Great video Michael: Solar Edge advertises that they have panels that have individual controls so one damaged panel in a string does not compromise the rest. Does the MPPT charge controller also do this ? I hope you cover this later in the series
Great video - But, yep you know this but was coming. I have to use a PWM controller as I have yet to find a Dual battery(bank) MPPT charge controller that will charge two separate battery banks correctly. There are a number which will provide full charge capability to one bank (say 30A) and about an amp trickle charge to another. If you know different then let me know, please. Whilst I realise the video was basic you could do a more complex "techy" version as there is far more to both controllers. eg the PWM is far more than an off switch and many do not understand MPPT at all :-)
Desmond's Donders have you used a marine battery switch and an isolator?
Yes I want to see the in details video please
Is there a charge controller that when your battery is full it uses the energy directly from the solar panels saving the batteries only when the sun is down, if so please name the brand so I can purchase it
Great video 👍
fantastic video!! Question: I have 300a of solar panels, which means I need 25amps controller. Would a 20amp be close enough or should I trade for a 40amp?
wow good explanation thanks keep it up
I had hoped you would cover the MPPT, with a 24 or 36 volt series array, into the MPPT controller at the high(2x), voltage, then exiting(voltage reduction), to charge a 12 volt array and 12v load
That is a different subject which I thing you will find elsewhere on this channel. The truth is out there...google will help.
Can I connect two solar controller from the same solar panels?
Do Charge Controllers get software updates, or are they only assembled hardware components ? Any hacks as to increasing efficiency percentages ?
Most helpfull. I am trying to design a solar system with as much efficiency as is reasonably possible. I need help to design it. I need a compentent installer with a reliable back up service. Would you be able and prepared to do that? I would of course pay for your services. There are many ways to go wrong in this game. I am quite good at practical matters.
Thank you so much ... very clear with you
Interesting and Rich info and lecture on solar energy.
I need your help on my solar system.
I have a 5kva 48 Volts solar inverter system with
two types of solar panels, 16 panels in all.
8 x 250W 24 volts panel.
8 x 330 24 volts panel.
12 batteries 12Volt 200 AH battery system.
Wiring: the wiring is 2Series x 8 Parallel.
Maximum PV wattage output less than 1000W.
No charge controller installed as Inverter is Hybrid Inverter.
Panels are about 50 feet away from Inverter and storage.
Please, what do I do to get more output from the Panel as output is about 25% of installed capacity?
Diy solar power with Will prowse
He has a lot on solar power he might be able to help you
Thank you for your video.
I have a 100 W topsolar panel with a pwm charge controler just to charge a normal car battery...it will not charge battery properly
Can you post the video that you talked about it ?
Great video!
my pwm 20/20 ...12 24 48 volt charge controller it won't work with my single house solar panel 180 watt ..why ???
What if your solar panels have solar charge controllers on them and the solar generator has a solar charge controller on it would that be a bad thing? Is it better if the solar panel have a charge controller on itself then feed a regular charge controller. Or once the solar panel sends voltage from the panel controller it can go directly to battery without any worries?
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You can use a PWM controller even if the panel is 18-20 V with a 12 V battery. It just doesn't want to be able to make use of the Voltage over/above 12 Volt. That's one the big differences between a PWM and MPPT controller! Right???
how to calculate the solar panels needed tfot 10HP well water pump?