Hey fellow solar enthusiasts! My friend just got a solar panel for their camping trips, and it's equipped with a PWM controller. They want to charge a few USB devices and also power a 12V fridge with it. The panel specs I have are: 18.5V output and 14.09A (which adds up to about 260W). I'm considering an MPPT solar charge controller that has the following specs: 15A rated discharge current, adapts to 12V or 24V systems, and seems to cap the max input at 18V for 12V batteries. Does this seem like the right choice for them? I'm curious about why different specs use various terminologies; it can be quite confusing!
1 Answer
When choosing a charge controller, the output amps are more critical. An MPPT can manage input amperage as long as you stay below the voltage limits. However, a 15A controller seems a bit underpowered for a 200W panel; I would recommend a 20A charge controller to ensure everything runs smoothly. It's also worth noting that true MPPTs usually don’t have a max input of 18V, which points more towards PWM. Consider looking at something like a Victron SmartSolar 75/20 – they're reputable and you won’t be disappointed, even if they come with a higher price tag.
Yeah, I agree with you - when it comes to solar controllers, you definitely don't want to cut corners. A quality option will go a long way in ensuring efficiency.
Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check out the Victron options. I appreciate the heads-up on the 20A suggestion since my friend's fridge draws about 4.1A. It sounds like the more capacity, the better.