I'm on the hunt for a weatherproof or waterproof MPPT charge controller for my setup. I've seen plenty of PWM controllers on Amazon that are weatherproof, but I'm struggling to find any MPPT options. Most people seem to keep their controllers indoors, but in my case, that won't work. If there aren't any weatherproof MPPT controllers available, does anyone have tips on putting one in a weatherproof housing? My battery's already secured in a weatherproof case, but it's only designed for the battery itself.
4 Answers
For your situation, it might actually be easier to stick with PWM unless you're planning to scale significantly. They tend to be simpler and work fine for setups that aren't running heavy loads. Just a thought if you're looking to keep it weatherproof.
Check out Victron's options - they're actually weatherproof as long as they're installed upright. Some models even come with a cover for the terminals, which adds to the protection against the elements!
Just a heads up, MPPT controllers do generate more heat and typically need to be bigger for the same amp rating. If you're not entirely set on MPPT, you might want to think about adding an extra panel instead of fussing with finding a housing for the controller. It could simplify things!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’m not fully convinced I need the MPPT controller, especially since I just want to keep my personal electronics charged. We're using two 165w panels in series with 8AWG wiring to a single 12V AGM battery. Just trying to keep everything future-proof in case we want to add more panels later! The weatherproofing is key since this setup is for an off-grid camp that isn't occupied in the winter.
You might want to consider the Bateria Power MPPT controllers. They come in 10a and 20a, but they do have a limitation of only allowing 30 volts and they use SAE connections, so keep that in mind if you're planning to use them.
That's good to know! I see they're rated IP43, which is pretty solid.