Controller issue / replacement

[Rjcamper]

My controller came with the 100w panel kit (eco-worthy) All charging ok but the switch for the additional supply out (current running usbs and TV) although display says off, it still gives power, so unless I pull the additional supply fuses they stay on.

Pain as I turn off overnight and when in storage to prevent power drain.

Which controller is the best for a limited budget and would be a direct replacement. Looked at Victron but they come back at £140+ but might be looking at the wrong one.

 

[autorouter]

Victron do a complete range of solar controllers, from small inexpensive PWMs to huge MPPTs suitable for a solar farm. The name contains two numbers, like 75/15 or 450/100. The first is the voltage it can withstand. The second is the output current in amps.

Your 100W panel will probably have a max voltage of about 28V, and all the controllers can easily handle that. 100W input into the controller will give an output of about 8 amps, and that's in ideal conditions - bright sunshine, sun overhead etc. Most days you're lucky to get 6A.

So their smallest MPPT controller, the 75/10, would be fine. It's a bit confusing. Their BlueSolar range is a bit cheaper, and has no inbuilt Bluetooth capability. The SmartSolar range has Bluetooth built in.

The PWM controllers are a bit cheaper than the MPPT ones, but the MPPT ones give you a bit more yield, especially at lower light levels and when cloudy, so worth it if you are going to the trouble of upgrading anyway.

When you say you are using the 'additional supply' I take it you mean the 'Load' terminals of the controller. These are not normally used in motorhomes, usually all circuits are taken from the leisure battery, and all the solar goes into the leisure battery.

 

[Rjcamper]

Thanks, yes the load terminals, has a bulb on it, was originally for a usb, but when I checked it was ok for small additional?? Have used a separate small fuse board rather than have multiple cables into controller and inline fuses.

I will have another search now I know what to look for