I have removed 3 solar regulator controlers and now have 500watts of solar going through my silent wind hybrid controller on a cloudy day today i was getting input of 10 amps and was shutting down each time it hit 14.4 volts i guess that was because my batterys where already charged.
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
Thanks Tony! But no, l got only the 120w and the old 40w at home. My controller is the one controlled the 40w panel before l got the 120w one. I think it is 10Amp, so it would not handle the two panels paralelled. Would need a 20Amp one if l figured correctly.
I would not have, at the moment, space for another 120w panel. I was thinking about two 50w ones zippered to the bimini, or get two 80w ones and hang them on the life lines on the quarters.
What does 'doubling up' on the current mean? Bigger fuses or what? (Current is watts.?)
At the moment there are no fuses between the charge controler and the battery connection. The system is running like this for years and years.
I am really electrically challenged. 
Thanks for your advice mate!
See if you can find the instruction manual for the controller so we check what can be put through it. Look for its maximum input voltage (Could be 30 - 50V range) and its max current. (Voltage is volts, Current is Amps, Power is Watts. Watts=volts x amps. For example a 12V 3A load is a 36W load because its 12x3). If it can do the trick with the two panels you've already got it will save a few $$$
Nah Tony, it is a powerflex controller and it was old when JC was playing forward for Jerusalem.
I need a new one. I'll get a 20 or 30amp one so it is not going to work at the top of it's capacity.
Thanks a lot mate!
hey Trek, do you know anything about these new Projecta DC-DC chargers?
http://www.projecta.com.au/Products/DCSolarBatteryCharger.aspx
they also have an 25A MPPT solar controller in them. you can pick them up for about $280 which seems like a good deal if they are decent...
For an easy 20w or more set up, these are a good little regulator.
www.solaronline.com.au/morningstar-4-5a-solar-regulator.html
Select to expand quotesirgallivant said..
Nah Tony, it is a powerflex controller and it was old when JC was playing forward for Jerusalem.
I need a new one. I'll get a 20 or 30amp one so it is not going to work at the top of it's capacity.
Thanks a lot mate!
On Trek now Ive got two of the GSL MPPT controllers from Seven Hills. www.gsl.com.au/solar-products.html
You can get them from Jaycar or direct, and the are Oz made. I took them apart and sprayed them inside with conformal coating after I wrecked my first one by not realizing they arent salt air proof).
One has the 80W push pit panel driving it and charges the house battery and the other has a 20W panel driving it that trickle charges the engine battery. I installed a big switch between the batteries as well so they can be paralleled if necessary too.
Let me know about the Trek Transponder.
maybe that graph is for 24 V panels? you would expect those to have about a 36 V output voltage. i thought 12 V panels have output voltages of around 18 V? i guess it would be good to have the option of using 24 V panels in the future...
do you think the extra cost of a DC-DC charger is worth it in the long run, in terms of better battery life?
thanks for sharing your expertise, btw.
Hi....i am a new user here. I understand that MPPT charge controllers are superior in that they are more efficient but I am wondering how MPPTs perform in comparison to PWM controllers when applied to smaller solar arrays, say, under 200 watts?Money is not the deciding factor for me in which controller I purchase, however, if an MPPT controller were to net me significant (relative of course) gains I'd be more inclined to purchase an MPPT controller.Does a PWM controller outperform an MPPT controller if applied to smaller systems (e.g. 110 watts of panels)? So I guess my main question is, is the advantage of an MPPT controller only seen if connected to larger arrays?
Small system MPPT don't have to be expensive.
www.banggood.com/search/mppt-controllers/1091-0-0-0-0-0-0-price-0-0_p-1.html?akmClientCountry=AU&
Select to expand quoteLulaNord said..
Hi....i am a new user here. I understand that MPPT charge controllers are superior in that they are more efficient but I am wondering how MPPTs perform in comparison to PWM controllers when applied to smaller solar arrays, say, under 200 watts?Money is not the deciding factor for me in which controller I purchase, however, if an MPPT controller were to net me significant (relative of course) gains I'd be more inclined to purchase an MPPT controller.Does a PWM controller outperform an MPPT controller if applied to smaller systems (e.g. 110 watts of panels)? So I guess my main question is, is the advantage of an MPPT controller only seen if connected to larger arrays?
Hi Lula, PWM is a method of power conversion with very low loss. Like a 24V to 12V or a 12V to 24V converter would utilize PWM. Its a system where the DC from a battery or solar panel gets converted into AC so it can be stepped up or down with a small high frequency transformer inside, and then converted back into DC.
Any real MPPT regulator actually utilizes PWM internally even if they don't mention it to convert the volts and amps ratio coming in from the solar panel to one more suitable for charging batteries. But a PWM regulator is not automatically an MPPT regulator.
So depending on the manufacturers confusing way of explaining their product they could be describing the same thing a different way. You need to look at what volts and amps the regulator claims it can handle coming in and what it claims it can put out to really compare.
Have a read of sirgallivants thread "powertech 3735 mppt controller".
