10/30 Amp Cheap PWM Solar Charge Controller
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- I bought this super cheap PWM solar charge controller from Aliexpress and it seems to have a lot of features for the money.
Items used in this video:
❗️These links are affiliated and I may earn a small commission if you purchase❗️
10/30A PWM Solar Charge Controller: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_AslIva
Aneng AN8002 Multimeter: ebay.us/rFvkf7
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:47 In the box
3:20 10 amp vs 30 amp
5:58 Connecting up
9:02 Menu system
10:30 Conclusion
Thanks for watching - It'd be great to hear your comments.
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A few have asked a good question - are the mosfets the same in both units? Well they look to be the same, but they don't have any markings. The 30a model does use a different fet on the load, but the solar input looks identical. photos.app.goo.gl/vqUiNbWMs8Qij3Ag8
Nice review Adam. I had one of the tiny charge controllers and apart from the tiny connections, it was good and worked well. I like the style of these and you can’t complain for the price.
The pv current display is super handy!
Nice review video
I thought of another use for one of these small PWM charge controllers. I have a couple old lead acid battery chargers I could integrate this into the circuit having the transformers regulated output feeding right into the solar input and output of course hooked to the charger alligator clamps. I think it would really improve its charging performance and not have to worry about it over charging. I did it already using a slightly larger charge controller but this one would fit the case a little better.
That's similar in function to those $6 PWM charge controllers of a few years ago, although the higher current versions of those had more MosFets, so the power handling could be increased.
ordered, now have to get a solor panel to go with it :), £12, fingers crossed it works
for the last week, I have been looking for some think like this, been looking at lots of types, none rocked my boat, but this one did , reason, the 2 extre holes, for solor and light out put, going to try and get one
what's the voltage/amp out put for this DC jacks?
@@markmartinez9031 12v
You are one of the rare bread - youtuber with solar videos from elsewhere as sunny states. Would you mind your yearly statistics of solar generation? I am very interested in statistics over weeks of the year, preferably for 1+ year. Comparing the summer production to winter, for example, how does the generation work when there is autumn with rains, etc. Would you be able to share something like that, perhaps?
Could you compare what real MPPT controller can squeeze from the solar panel in different conditions vs these cheap pwm ones?
I just got mine today exactly like that 30 amps but I paid $18 on ebay.
Can you identify the meaning of battery settings b1 2 3 and 4 because no indications on manual of this controller
Hi
Maybe you should recheck this unit out, if it really is a mppt or Pwm because I have the same one and it sure runs like a MPPT
controller … can you do a updated test with Some watt analyzers hook up to the solar panels and battery…
Any update on these chargers? How are they holding up ?
Good review Adam, Can your review battery mode for this model.
Exactly i need the battery mode of this one
Hello Adam Good review, how do you set it to flooded battery as on mine it comes up showing b1 on the panel but nothing is in the instructions!
what's the output voltage and amp on the built-in DC jacks? are they always ON?
Hi How do you adjust the batt type Lead , Gell, other
As a solar novice I’m totally confused if it’s worth while actually buying a pwn controller for my ongoing camper fit out or just go mppt !
Just bought mine, any tips how yo set it up for AGM battery?
this one versus $5 one with one is better?
Hi Adam, thanks for your great video 😀. One question did you understand the PV off function respectively the PV off symbol? If PV off voltage is reached the according arrow stops flashing but the controller is still charging the battery up to voltages >15V and significant current >0.5A. Do have an explanation or is just "chinese quality"
How much power do the USB ports consume when not being used?
Do they have the same mosfets ?
no self consumption test?
Excellent Review! What charge controller would you suggest to use with a 3S (18650's)
You’d need a controller that can change the discharge limit down to about 9 volts. Most of the epever solar charge controllers allow for this if you edit their settings. I use an epever tracer with my 18650s and my lifepo4.
can it be adjusted to charge LiFe battery?
Which is better epever pwm or this cheap one,
Hi Adam, what is the minimum input voltage? I want to use the rectified voltage of a bicycle dynamo to power the controller (the dynamo is 6V 3W) and then power front LEDs over the USB port. The rectified voltage (no load) goes up to over 10V. On the item page on AE it says "Light-controlled turn-on threshold Photovoltaic panel: 8V (light-controlled turn-on has a delay)", so I suppose that's the minimum input voltage? If so, will the charge controller step up the voltage so a 12V AGM battery gets charged by the dynamo?
No, you’ll need a DC-DC step up converter. Between the rectifier and the charge controller. They are quite cheap on eBay.
Hi, Have you tried with 36V (or higher) solar panel with 12V battery? Is it possible with this controller?
How many watt panels can I connect to this charger?
very helpful video, thanks.
i have solar panels, can I use this to connect to solar panels to charge my mobile phone (without connecting a lead acid battery)?
No
Did anyone else freek-out when they saw the scale of the box compared to hands - lol -.
These look great. But I have a question about the power rating. Is this. Limit on the power from the panel to the battery, from the battery to the load, or both?
I have a small electric winch (3,000lbs) running off a 12v car battery in my garage. I also have a small solar panel (80w 21V 5 amp) and would love to use this to maintain charge. I’m sure it will be fine but will the controller be able to pass the current required by the winch under load?
Usually both. With a large load like an inverter I usually suggest connecting it straight to the battery though. Not sure how much current your winch pulls.
@@AdamWelchUK cheers, I suspected as much. I will check the specs on the winch.
boa noite amigo! e possível modificar um controlador pwm da marca meishile pra mppt usando como base o controlador powmr kepper 1220 ? observação aqui o controlador powmr kepper deu defeito queimou os Mosfet originais ptp02n03n e ncepo39n10n coloquei pra testes os Mosfet originais do controlador pwm azuzinho de 10 ah zj70n78 no lugar e o controlador powmr funcionou por algumas horas e depois parou de funcionar.o fabricante fez este aparelho pra nao ser consertado as trilhas da placa é muito proximas das outras,aqui gerou arco voltaico entre pinos e algumas trilhas queimou um Mosfet.
I think as you say it is a very good charger for the money . But I think the Instructions manual don't explain everything about it. The last parameter when you scroll in the menu is a B1 witch I think is some kind of battery type you can set up but the manual don't explain what they are . Did you managed or any one else to find out ? Thanks .
also interested in this question. Has anyone been able to figure out what these menu items mean? b1-b2-b3-b4
I was wondering while watching, "what else can these be used for?" I don't think I'd bother with them as a solar charge controller, but perhaps a battery charger from any DC source within the voltage ratings of the controller?
Caravans Benny.
@@chuxxsss These are PWM controllers that take a wide range of input volts and are setup to charge a LA battery (hopefully properly) - granted it could be a battery in a caravan, or a camper, or for that matter in the car. Any laptop charger @ 19V +/-2V could be pressed into service slow charging the car battery. Much cheaper than "battery chargers" on ebay or otherwise. If you want some real grunt in a battery charger, then you could tweak an old PSU's 12V to output 14V and use that as the input to this PWM charger that is sold as a solar charger. Much safer than sticking the output directly into the battery and boiling the battery. I reckon you could have a video there!
@@BenMitro Maybe sooner than you think Benny. Need to clean up a shed and sell some cells.
@@chuxxsss "Excellent" (quoting Mr. Burns from the Simpsons). Looking forward to it! Good luck with the cells and the shed.
Another question Adam. Are the DC jacks for solar and load 5.5mm x 2.1mm or 2.5mm or something else? Thanks.
5.5 x 2.5mm I believe.
@@AdamWelchUK ok thanks.
Ok so Adam you know full well your gonna have to do a test now to see what amps each other those can take.. just to prove what they can actually take :-D
Not sure I can generate 30 amps though…
@@AdamWelchUK yer 30 is a fair amount lol shame though... 🤣
@@AdamWelchUK Charge a 12v battery with your 24v battery? It'll limit itself to 30A or blow up, either way should be good to watch.
@@AdamWelchUK well that sounds like an interesting video? Upgrading your solar using S/H solar?
Are the MOSFET on both units the same?
Good question. I will check and report back.
I would think the only difference is a slightly different firmware, allowing more current.
It looks to be using 2 MosFets, for switching the PWM and output which should sink 30 Amps, providing suitable Fets are used.
They aren't marked, but look the same... photos.app.goo.gl/vqUiNbWMs8Qij3Ag8 Load fet on the 30 amp model is different.
Adam do you have any equipment to actually pull amperage from these devices. That would make a great video.
I've been thinking how I could achieve that...
@@AdamWelchUK You would need something to simulate a 12v load that looks to use a fair bit of current.
@@AdamWelchUK - the cheapo way is to use 12V halogen MR16 downlight lamps, a mix of 20W and 50W. You just need to monitor the amps carefully as that will vary widely dependant on the voltage.
How much
Why would they use a common positive? Maybe the Fet transistors are of a different type between the 10A and the 30A type.
Common positive is easier to design and build and cheaper.
This is true. I will check the fets and report back one way or another. Thanks.
@@Mark1024MAK - yep, common positive means that they can use N-channel mosfets.
Anyway, who gives a shit... the electrons don't care.
Can you reduce the charging voltage all the way down to 12.6V?
Yes
But you shouldn't
Hey I have a question how long did it take to get delivered to your home using ali express
They were on a ten day delivery promise from China and they managed to hit it.
I wonder if there is a way to bypass the temperature compensation so this can me used with lithium batteries. I ruined some LiFePO batteries once because it over charged them... I had voltage set properly but I assume it used temperature compensation and that is what caused the voltage to go way too high
You could remove the thermistor, measure it at about 25 degrees and replace with a fixed resistor of the same value perhaps?
What would be the standby current if you happen to know?
@@AdamWelchUK Lol I thought of doing just that. it seemed like a good idea but wanted your opinion first. Figure I could test the charge controller on a capacitor where i would know quickly if the voltage goes too high before using it on expensive Lithiums. Thank you for your response.
@@robertklotz4170 I think it would be negligible unless your using it on a very small battery. And if it is put in storage I would remove the charge controller.
I would put a BMS in front of those LiFePO before you blow them up lol
Hi sir. just want to ask what is the purpose of those 2 ports besides the usb port w/c has a sign of a panel and a lamp?
In the pictures (and also at 1:42 of the video), it shows the left port (DC jack) to be for solar input and the right to be load output.
@@AubsUK Noted sir. Another question is what does a B1, B2, B3 & B4 stands for?
It's possible the mosfets are different...
You’re right and something I should have considered. Others also pointed out my omission and when I checked I found the mosfets on both units weren’t marked - so we’ll never know I’m afraid.
1:17 You have learn to say NO.
I know, I know.
What type of batteries does it support ?
Officially lead acid, but as it is adjustable you might be able to adjust it for other chemistries.
@@AdamWelchUK Thanks, your channel is great
I have had 3 of these please dont ask me why! but all 3 have melted at the pv input when checked the 30a model has a cable connector that in my opinion cannot cope with 30a in reality all melted at 11.8 (measured on its own screen ) a real fire hazard 🤒
if you charge with 30A , and discharge with 30A , you will find that the marked 30A controller can not do that . they will limit the charging current to smaller current. That is one cheating way by software. How does this controller use so small heat sinking board for 30A current? It is impossible.
typical Chinese produce since wrong English spelling at the box
Why PWM? You guys like to throw away power? Whatever...
Not always. If a PWM costs $10 and an MPPT of the same capacity costs $60, then the extra $50 will buy another 50 Watt panel, so you get more energy for the money.
The only time MPPT is more effective, is if you can't fit any more panels, or you're system is more than 300-400 Watt, in which case PWM is more wasteful, although the wasted energy is free to start with, so it's not really wasted.