Basic PWM Solar Charge Controller Review - 12 Volt MONO SOLAR KIT
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2020
- I have recently installed this basic solar system and thought I would give a quick overview of the PWM Solar Charge Controller
Available from many providers on EBay - Наука та технологія
Wow, thank you so much for the in-depth review of that solar charger! And thank you for spending most of the time on the solar charger and not on the other things that you did not mention in the title great job
Thanks, Glad it was helpful!
i suspect you were being sarcastic, right?
@@jasonbrown467 humm..... I guess you might have been thinking the same way as I was
@@rawfoodphilosophy7061 the uploader seems like a nice guy so i dont want to be mean about it, but at first when i read your comment i thought you were serious and a fool, then i laughed and realized i was the fool for not seeing your point. yes i was thinking the same thing. i wrote a long post above giving him things to mention maybe next time. i feel we basically saw a super small system that was barely getting used and barely talked about and maybe not even understood by the guy reviewing it.but then again, i am very technical and detail oriented. i recently made a 60 minute video talking about a 300 watt pure sine wave inverter, i realize this is too much info for most so i didnt upload it...... yet
@@jasonbrown467 I am still in novice and I just got the regular inverter and the sound and video quality on my TV is just fine so I'm so glad I didn't spend the money the extra money on the pure sine wave inverter.
3:40 - it is not 61. it means: b1 battery profile for lead acid batteries sealed.
B2 is gel batteries and b3 are regular unsealt flooding lead acid batteries.
👍
Thanks for video. @3min 07. I think that the 12.6 volt is the minimum voltage required before it "re- starts" feeding the load once the load has been disconnected by the min voltage settings ie load is off at 10.7 at 3min 20 11v and wont come back on until battery is at least 12.6v.
What is the maximum input solar voltage of this solar charge controller.?Thanks
Hi , i know this is an old video but my charge controller doesnt limit the volts, my solar panel is like your going to about 22v and putting it in the controller it also goes to 14.4v but my problem is that the device on the other side is receiving to high of a voltage and not working properly
Good review. Thank you 👍👍
Glad it was helpful!
What do the other buttons do? I got one with no instructions included
Looking for a cheap PWM controller, that also control the voltage to the load. I want to run modems, led lights, TV set-top boxes.etc. from the output which are sensitive to output voltage changes. I am currently using the unit shown in your video, with buck / boost voltage stabilizers at the output - I use about four of them, as the output current is limited to about 3 Amps each. but it becomes a nightmare with the wiring of all the additional modules. Is there a Solar charge available, where I can set the voltage to the load? Thanks!
is there a way to control the output voltage fir the load to be a fixed amount like 12.0 volts?
I am looking for something to power a surveillance camera but voltage higher than 12 makes the camera distort the footage
What's the meter measuring the input solar voltage and current and the output pwm voltage and current. I am interested in buying it. Thanks!
I am living off Grid. I use the MPPT controllers and 24 volt panels ex grid connect systems. MPPT will let you feed a higher voltage into the controller and convert it down to the 12 volts. I feed my system with 24 volt panels in series to put 48 volts in. The sun just barely has to poke its head out and the system is charging. ,Using a 12 volt panel to charge a 12 volt battery limits the window of opportunity for charging and PWM are really not too efficient. With my System if my panels are feeding 48 volt at 5 amp into the MPPT Controller it will convert that down to the 12 volt to charge the battery at 20 amp (ohms Law) . :)
MPPT is definitely next on the list.
@@simonhahnel8092 It makes a big difference :)
I run one system on 2 MPPT charge controllers and yes they work much better. But for a small low budget system these cheap little charge controllers are just fine. I also run two small systems on two little PWM controllers and they work fine too.
I have a 240 watt solar panel will it work with my solar panel?
So what was the 24H setting for? Is it adjustable? When would you change it to say 16H (hours)? Do you not understand some settings?!
Mine stops charging when full, if I’m running something off the battery, I have to unplug and plug in again the solar panel.
thanks for this video, I appreciate it. How do I change the setting from 10.7v to higher (11.5v) where the lead acid battery wont discharge anymore?
I don't think you can mate
I don't think our reviewer understands or wants to demonstrate other settings..!
Hello! We have this same unit (ours is a 40A), but I can't get something to work and was wondering if you could provide insight. Everything is seemingly connected correctly. However on the main screen I don't see the solar panels that should show up on the right hand side and the battery is not being charged. Is there something I did wrong? Is it not functioning properly? Thanks
👍 simple straight forward review. I have same controller to charge my SLA batt. What type of meter did you use for measuring and connecting solar to the charger and on the load side as well. I won't mind a link if possible. Thanks!
yeah those monitors are quite clean looking and can be very helpful.
My 30A pwm is suddenly set as a 24v system, while using only 12v lead acid battery. Due to this it's not giving off power to my consuming system (23v > 10.2v minimum) How to reset it to a 12v system?
What are good settings for a (lead acid (b1) or li-ion(B2)) battery? Are there minimum or maximum voltages for the battery?
MY controllers say "only for lead-acid batteries, not lithium"
In der Urban Vegetable Garden Reihe scheint es viele Dopplungen zu geben: 30+31 sind doppelt, 32+33, 34+35, 36+37, 38+39 ebenso. Nr. 40-45 sind ebenfalls gleich, 46+47 doppelt, 49-52 auch gleich. Ansonsten, schöne Videos bisher, viele Tipps, Danke dafür. Grüße aus Rheinhessen = In the Urban Vegetable Garden series there seem to be many duplications: 30 + 31 are double, 32 + 33, 34 + 35, 36 + 37, 38 + 39 as well. Nos. 40-45 are also the same, 46 + 47 double, 49-52 also the same. Otherwise, nice videos so far, lots of tips, thanks for that. Greetings from Rheinhessen
Ja. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, warum sie alle zweimal in der Wiedergabeliste erscheinen. Wurden wie alle anderen Videos hochgeladen.
My screen has a solar panel icon then a flashing battery icon then no bulb . What did I do wrong. ?
I have several controllers as this one and noticed that battery type function doesn't actually work, always stops at 14.4V. Battery reconnect voltage is also a non working function.
@rwd1973 same here, stuck at 14.4V, not really 4 stage battery charging as advertised on the manual, more like 1 stage permanent overcharging.
I have the same controller and also find I can't change from "b1".
I have one of these controllers 50 watt s, running off my two twenty watt solar panels. I would like to also charge the batteries from the vehicle charger when it is running, I have cables running direct from the accessories plug in me vehicle to the battery terminals of my small camper. Will there be any damage to the controller if I charge with both at the same time.?
I would like to know this too! 💁
Thanks.Greetings from Belgium
Thanks for watching!
I have an little setup, 2 x 10Wp solar panel 18V 0.55A each (parallel), a PWM 10A solar charger controler + battery 12V 7Ah. I Installed an Volt + Amp measuring device between the panels and the controller and it works fine till it reaches 14.4V. From xV to 14.4V I see an increasing current to 1.1A @14.2V. But it increasses to an value higher than 14.4V and from then on the solar charger dot from PV to battery stops blinking and the voltage says 14.4V. My Amp and Volt measuring devices goed up to almost 20V and amperages from 0.4 to 0.7 (like in your movie here) Is this normal? What is the reason for this? I tought that an PWM always keeps the voltage under this 14.4V.
Don't you have to set the max voltage in the PWM controller to protect the battery from cooking. From videos I've watched you do this through the controller buttons. There's several good videos out there but this one explains well ua-cam.com/video/Fmfnxkh1IFo/v-deo.html
Where can I purchase the digital metre?
Why is your arrow blinking when charging?
i have one of these that came with my portable solar panel.. when you install does the wire have to touch in the round center or as long as the metal smashes onto it? it won't turn on if i just connect the panel to it? do i have to have a battery connected for the charge controller to turn on? so confused
You should always have a battery connected prior to anything otherwise the unit might be damaged.
I'm having an issue with this controller, my battery is charging very slowly and i suspect the controller may be the culprit. At sunshine with minimal load my batttery still keep dropping. did anyone experience the same?
Is there any kind of voltage regulator in this pwm to set the desired charging voltage? Or is it just pumping 18volts or watever the solar panel voltage is to the battery? I know You can set the cut off voltage, and start charging voltage, but can You actually set the charging voltage?
Yes it regulates and adjusts automatically as the battery charges. Still have one now going after 3 years. I have replaced this one with a Victron.
I am having a problem with this setup. Maybe you can help. Me. When the sun is out it says its charging but the battery meter keeps blinking empty. I did trheat a new pair of kabel point into the unit. Did I put it in the wrong way maybe? What is the right way of connecting the kabels first? First the panel or first the battery?
I think I have another video of the installation that may help.
Thanks for the video! I have the same pwm solar charge controller but no manual. Mine is tet to battery type 61 but I have no clues about it. I trying to used with a 8 amp Lifepo4 battery and I don't know what type number is. If you have the manual, may you help me? Thanks in advance!
it should be on the manual book. b1 is for lead acid, b2 for 3S (3*3.7v) lithium ion battery, and b3 is for 4S (4*3.2v) lifepo4 battery
@@ThreeWhiteSoldiers Thanks! No manual book here.
My controller doest work, brand new out of the box, connected the battery and panel, but the thing doesnt GO! on
Thanks for the video, however I have a question. The voltage on my solar panel is 48v, can I connect it to this controller? Does it convert the output voltage to the battery to 12V? Hug
This one only supports the 24v panels unfortunately.
what happen if we plug solar first befor plug the battery in charge controler? what damages?
Apparently it can damage the PWM controller.
@@simonhahnel8092 With these $9 units I want to SEE some damage.
Can it be powered by house AC power? Did they give you a plug to do so with purchase?
Yes but it must be DC out. Laptop power supply is perfect for application, they are usually around 19V
@@clixium
I’m thinking bout getting one to cycle 12v batteries
Doe the arrow from pannel to battery disapear when the battery is fully charged.
I think when the arrow is constantly on it actually means that the battery is fully charged. It is stupid but the controller does not drain any current, in my case, when the arrow is on withou flashing.
It is scary to leave controller connected unattended.
I have amp meters on input and output. It does not constantly charge but reduces as the battery is nearing full charge. I have had this set up running for over 2 years now on 2 different locations without incident. I will add I would never use this controller with expensive lithium batteries but for a second hand car battery it is fine.
How many 205w panels can you connect on parallel with this type of 100A controller?
Sorry not sure the max current this device can provide.
so does the controller itself tell you how 'full' the battery is? sorry i am a bit of a beginner
Yes. One of the display items is the battery voltage. Just need to click through on the reporting screens.
Hi, I've the same solar PV controller connected to a small 20W panel and 12V 7Ah lead acid battery. No load atm, as the battery seems not to charge. It has been at 11Volt for a few days even though left with the panel without load for a couple of days (bright sunny days).
All things are brand new.
Are there settings to adjust maybe?
Thanks
Mine just worked with all the defaults using a 50aH old car lead acid battery. Mine is fed by a 300W panel however. It runs my lighting and little 12v amplifier for music for many hours.
Doing some math, your only charging at 1 ampere or less. Get a bigger solar. AxV=W or W\V=A. 20W\12V=1A. That’s with 100% efficient system
@@deanhenthorn1890 Solved. It was the panel not taking enough sun. Now south facing, on bright days it charges the battery full.
quick question , if the battery is full will the Solar Controller stop the current going into the battery ?
Yes it does. Set and forget. Been running for 6 months now without issue on an old 4wd lead acid battery.
@@simonhahnel8092 hi from comments on other videos on this controller I think it if you don’t want to mess with the settings it’s out of the box ready for 12v lithium batteries
Does the charge controller display the power or current produced by the panel? Or does it just display the voltage?
Voltage only. You will need some meters for measuring current and specific inputs and outputs.
thanks for the info
I want a solar panel to run a 12 volt fan. I do not particularly want the fan to run if the solar panel is not producing enough. Can I use the controller without a battery attached?
You can but it is not advised. From Memory you just run the fan of the battery terminals of the controller. Have not tried it on this controller.
@@simonhahnel8092 thank you.
The question is
How if the landlord leave their home and there is no home's load used while landlords leave their home at all and all batteries is fully charged? Where does the solar panel energy will go or delivered when a daylight time and solar panel within produce the energy condition? Anyone can help to explained to me please?
That battery type Setting is not 61 but b1 and means that the battery should be a sealed lead acid. Type b2 is for a gel battery, type b3 is for a lead acid battery that has fill caps that you add water to.
Thanks. Good info
I have my charging voltage set to 14.7v is this good?
Depends on the Battery. Always best to go with the Battery manufacturer recommendations.
What does a controller like that understands as "float charge"? Mine(model identical to yours) would start upping the voltage at the start of the charge(early morning, 6h AM), than, as it gets to 14.4v(midday), it will keep it there until the end of the day(6h PM), even if I don't discharge the battery during the night, and even as the battery is pulling less than 200mAh of current from the charger. Shouldn't the charger go to "float charge" and try to keep my battery stable, from 13.0v to 13.7v (adjustable), when it is no longer getting usable current from the charger? Isn't that the dictionary definition of "float charge"? Ps: My inverter only turns itself on at 6h PM, so it can't be blamed for any "current leak", all the power produced by the solar panel during the day hours has only the battery as its consumer.
Sorry I do not have a current metre on the battery charge. Just the Solar input and the Output. I may need the get another meter to measure this as well.
@@simonhahnel8092 I'm beginning to think this charge controller ignores whatever configuration you enter under "float charge".
Wonder if you might know. I have the same controller, connected to a 12v battery. Although it's set to 13.7v float voltage, during the first day of usage, it ran up as high as 16.6v. I'm sure it must have done some damage to the battery, but I got to it quickly, and I'm now confused about how to prevent that from happening. Could this be a setting? Could it be somehow confusing my circuit to be 24v or could it just be a faulty controller?
As I understand it the voltage on the display will show the solar panel voltage or the battery voltage. Which ever is higher. Are you measuring the output to the battery or just what is on the screen?
@@simonhahnel8092 it was the battery voltage. I disconnected it and reconnected. Monitored closely and it didn't exceed 14.4v. I'm very nervous to keep using it though.
@@troubledtinkerer Did the voltage ever creep up again or did it stay at that 14.4v ?
@@bondubasher yes. It did. I changed it out for an MPPT controller which was much more stable
@@troubledtinkerer I might have to go that way myself if this unit does the same, thanks!
How many 5w bulbs I can loop on the solar controller only?
Depends on your battery set up.
@@simonhahnel8092 thanks I already get some info on it.
What thickness of wire did you use
Hi Joel, what amp controller did you buy? I bought this version but got the 30AMP one which needed 10gauge wires to the battery 👍
I´m missing explanation of the settings in that controller. What is "24h" What is "61"?
Not sure about the 24h but the 61 is the battery type. I have since upgraded to a Victron controller.
Why does it reach 14.4 float voltage? Your battery will get damage
By default it registers the battery or panel voltage on the display. Whichever is higher. From memory the float voltage is 13.6 volts.
Yess.... it will damage
@@simonhahnel8092 on my sample that's not how it works. I have measured over 20V on the solar panel side and 14.4V on the battery and load side. If the panels can sustain the power drawn without sinking in voltage, the display never moves from 14.4V, it doesn't really manage the battery charge and totally disregard the float voltage setting. I suggest everyone to check their model with a multimeter on a sunny day with the battery fully charged, if it is keeping them at a steady 14.4V something is amiss (permament overcharge).
Hi why my bulb blink
Good video, what guage wire do you recommend, thanks.
Depends on your load, but if you're not sure, just go for 12AWG.
@@kaikart123 thanks mate, will do that, regards.
@@michaelcody8783 It would at least able to withstand 20A if you need to know the ampacity.
1:11..... You have it a bit wrong.When your solar voltage reading is >battery voltage (e.g 17V) your charge controller has disconnected the panel from the battery. The controller does not step down the voltage. When the controller connects battery to panel, the battery drags down the panel voltage. When the left side displayed arrow is steady, the panel is disconnected and doing nothing much.
Pretty affordable for $9
The ebay link is no longer valid
Thanks. Now removed.
What voltage range can you set the this solar charge controller to charge the batteries?
I have this same question. Can you set the mode to 12V or does it just handle anything between 12-24V?
@@rogerrobb6896 I have the same controller.i use it for 12v setup it will auto adjust for 12 or 24 volts
I use one also,you can adjust voltage.mine is set at 14.4 volts
Ya they have a setup for what kind of battery like flooded leas acid or gel or AGM but I think the max voltage and stuff is adjustable some but I'm not positive I only changed the load cut off voltage
@@MrSqueegey
Can I set the changer controler before using it pls
Set your load cut off to 11.6v, max charge to 14.1v and load cut in at 12.5v. Your limits are not right. You're gonna kill your battery mate.
Was a second hand 4wd battery ($30) so figure I would use the defaults and see how it went. 12 month on and going well. Runs my Little TV, Stereo and lighting without a problem. Mind you, it is just a garden shed so only really gets used for about 12 hours in a week. I have been dabbling with Victron MPPT controllers recently. Much nicer. Much more expensive.
I buy 2 on amazon
No usable information here
No explanation of how this really works...
don't think anyone knows including me😄
I bought the same rubbish and it worked during 3 days.
Mine still going strong. Sucks when you get a dud.