Hey everyone! I'm planning to get two 200W solar panels and a 200Ah battery. The panels are rated for a maximum of 12V and my battery is also 12V. Is this setup good to go? What kind of MPPT charge controller should I use for my two 200W panels? Should I go with a 12V or a 24V system? Also, I've come across specifications showing ratings like 40A or 60A on MPPT controllers. What does that 'A' signify, and how do I choose the right one?
2 Answers
Here's the deal: a "12V" battery actually operates at around 12.8V and can charge at about 14.6V. You’ll want panels that produce more than this—ideally around 18V or higher. MPPTs are generally flexible and can handle different input voltages without issues. Remember, though, that a 30A controller is a good fit for your setup, especially if you want to fully utilize the power. It’s better to have some extra capacity than to regret being underpowered later!
Absolutely! The 'A' you see on MPPTs refers to Amps, which indicates how much current the controller can handle. Since you'll be working with a 12V system, your solar panels actually need to output around 18V to properly charge the battery, especially considering heat and light variations. So yeah, getting those 18V panels would be wise to ensure the battery charges correctly! You might also want to calculate the total needed amperage based on your panel's power output to choose accordingly.
Got it! So, going for 18V panels is definitely the way to go for proper charging!
So, you're saying the panels might need to be rated higher than 12V to charge efficiently?