I’m thinking that a better solar panel controller than the standard fit sargent unit might give me a petter performance from my panel . I have been told that the MPPT type are much more efficient . Can anyone expand on this and maybe recommend a reliable installer ?
Pwm or mppt solar panel controllers. Which and who fits them ?
- Thread starter Apache
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what makes you suspect your panel is under performing? and what are you getting now and from what size of panel?
DBK
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The difference between PWM and MPPT is the former draws the panel voltage down to the battery voltage. With MPPT the solar panel can run at the voltage where it produces most power, typically about 18 volts when it will also be producing only slightly less current than it does at say 12 volts. The MPPT controller converts the 18 volts down to the correct charging voltage and increases the charging current pro rata.
I'm fairly sure the Sargent isn't MPPT.
I'm fairly sure the Sargent isn't MPPT.
Lenny HB
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A decent MPPT regulator will give around 25%plus output over an average day they are particularly good on cloudy days and lower sun angles.
My favourite it the Votronic MPP duo range, Victron are also good. A lot of the cheap ones on eBay are not true MPPT regulators.
My favourite it the Votronic MPP duo range, Victron are also good. A lot of the cheap ones on eBay are not true MPPT regulators.
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How big are your panels? Do you need to use them in winter?
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OP
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Apache
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I only ever seem to get 0.4 to 1.0 amps charge showing on the Sargent display above the habitation door , even on hot summer days and I’ve seen others on this forum talk of significantly higher values for the same size solar panel . I’ve read a little about the better type regulators and am considering whether it would be worth investing in one ( Professionally fitted )
My van is an Autotrail Apache 700 with factory fitted 100 watt panel feeding into the integral regulator which I believe is inside the Sargent unit.
I have had a couple of occasions in the last few months when the engine battery has been flat and I suspect either the level of sunshine in the autumn months or a failing engine battery. This hasn’t been a problem in the last 3 years when the van has been parked for similar lengths of time . I thought maybe if I could improve the charge going in it might help
My van is an Autotrail Apache 700 with factory fitted 100 watt panel feeding into the integral regulator which I believe is inside the Sargent unit.
I have had a couple of occasions in the last few months when the engine battery has been flat and I suspect either the level of sunshine in the autumn months or a failing engine battery. This hasn’t been a problem in the last 3 years when the van has been parked for similar lengths of time . I thought maybe if I could improve the charge going in it might help
DBK
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The engine battery is probably not being charged by the solar. This isn't a fault, it's just how the system has been designed.
To get engine battery charging you need to either fit a controller which has an output for the engine battery or fit a Battery Master (or similar device) which will trickle a small current into the engine battery.
Lenny HB
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An hour or two either side of midday in mid June you should get 5-6 amps but it will reduce as the batteries charge. No good measuring it with the batteries charged.
I have the Sargent system including their latest 10 Amp control which failed me last week. I simply reconnected to the existing factory fitted sargent PMR controler and everything is working again. However, I have now purchased this which is an MPPT controller and will fit myself in a few days, just waiting for some 10 Amp twin core cable to arrive in post to connect to the battery side of the controller.
One thing I have found out about this controller is it can be bought cheaper elsewhere and is sold under a few different names. All made by the same company though and is rated as one of the best 10 Amp MPPT controllers in the market place. Some good reviews on U tube and one expert thought it was extremely well built with high quality components. The one from Photonic Universe is back-lite as some of the other's are not for some reason.
One thing I have found out about this controller is it can be bought cheaper elsewhere and is sold under a few different names. All made by the same company though and is rated as one of the best 10 Amp MPPT controllers in the market place. Some good reviews on U tube and one expert thought it was extremely well built with high quality components. The one from Photonic Universe is back-lite as some of the other's are not for some reason.
12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
12V solar panel solar charging kits for motorhome caravan boat campervan yacht marine off-grid
www.photonicuniverse.com
1 amp is abysmal in the summer. First thing I'd do is go up on the roof and look at the solar panel. Is it damaged, cracked? Old looking? If so scrap the lot and buy a Votronic duo controller and 150w monocrystalline panel.
The Votronic also sends 1 amp to the starter battery to keep it topped up, which means you can use the van's radio when parked up.
If the solar panel looks OK I would bypass the controller for a few seconds and see what it shoves into the battery. I've seen over 9 amps from our 150w panel in the summer so you should see a good few amps from yours if it's working ?
The Votronic also sends 1 amp to the starter battery to keep it topped up, which means you can use the van's radio when parked up.
If the solar panel looks OK I would bypass the controller for a few seconds and see what it shoves into the battery. I've seen over 9 amps from our 150w panel in the summer so you should see a good few amps from yours if it's working ?
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Truly naïve/ignorant question: is there a big difference in wiring required to change controller from PWM to MPPT?
We've got a MWP controller for our 120w panel. If I wanted to change to a MPPT I don't suppose it's simply a question of using the same wiring to the MPPT control?
We've got a MWP controller for our 120w panel. If I wanted to change to a MPPT I don't suppose it's simply a question of using the same wiring to the MPPT control?
MY Sargent system (2011) charges both cab and habitation batteries and you may want to check your manual as your's may well do the same. I had read that some of the AutoTrail factory fitted solar panels were not performing well because of where they were positioned and the T.V. Ariel partially blocked sunlight getting to the panel resulting in poor performance ? Also, if your batteries are almost full or you are on hook up with the charger on, the Solar Panel is either going to be producing very little current into the batteries or none at all and this could account for why you are seeing very little on your display above the door. What you could do though is get a volt meter onto the solar panel connections going into your controller when the sun is out and see what voltage is going into your controller, this would help you establish if the panel is working as it should.
Nothing wrong with members raising any questions what-so-ever. One of the reasons why this is such a great forum. Same cable will be fine providing it was correct in the first place and the controllers are of the same rating.
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Not Naive at all
As long as the wiring was done correctly first time the just re-wire identically
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I can also recommend this controller. A remote display is available if the controller is in an innaccessible place.
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I have a cheap pwm controller and a 80 panel most output has been 6.5 .
Jaws
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Time for a brag
Regularly see 18+ amps in good weather after watching telly for several hours the night before
Regularly see 18+ amps in good weather after watching telly for several hours the night before
OP
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Apache
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What set up have you got ?Time for a brag
Regularly see 18+ amps in good weather after watching telly for several hours the night before
Jaws
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360 watts worth of panels and a rather posh, rather large controller
Next time I am in the van I will get the make, but it is a big aly finned thing with digital read out that autodetects battery type and was over £200 .. bought in a made moment when I was at a show and happened to have cash on the hip
Jaws
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It is an Atersa Leo 10, 35 amp jobby
Just found that Atera do sell them for 204 €
Just found that Atera do sell them for 204 €
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Are you on the sun !
What year is your van and what PSU and control panel do you have? On my 2013 Mohawk you can configure the charging regime for solar and EHU, you can set it to charge just the hab or vehicle batts or set it to smartcharge and it decides which needs it the most, having said mine mine needs a look at as it seems to have got it's knickers in a twist, probably just needs resetting.
Jaws
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No idea.. I know it works very well and I am afraid my Spanish does not stretch much further than a few words !
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Some manufacturers rate very conservatively, to give good output when the panels get hot. If the panel is cold but in strong sun (Atlas Mountains, for example), you can get 100% of rated output, or even more on occasion. The voltage is higher when cold, too, so you need to watch out if the panels get cold and they are in series, near the voltage limit of the controller.
I once had a free standing one on the bike rack, because the sun was also reflected off the back of the van I got more that it's rated output too ?
Jaws
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Found a brit version of the sheet.. it is indeed a pulse width modulation type
Thanks for this! From what I have seen on the various U-Tube video's I have been watching recently, the very cheap PWM do a job ? and the ones at the other end of the scale are very good indeed with very little difference in performance when compared to a MPPT controller if the batteries are only partially discharged. As an aside, you said in an earlier post you regularly get 18 Amps plus from your controller after watching several hours of telly. Is this an indication that your Leisure battery capacity is falling, if there calling for 18 Amps from the solar controller. My understanding is that if the batteries are only partially discharged the controller will not put maximum amps available into the batteries but measure state of charge and top up as resulting in only a few amps going in, even on a very bright day. The charging profile of the controller seems to be a major factor.
Jaws
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We have a 32" telly in the van, rated at 3.2 amps and it is often on from about 5pm until gone midnight..and the Sky box is always on..... Plus lights, pumps, various chargers etc we are heavy elektrickery users
An average days use is proly 50aH+ when we are plotted up, so yes, the leisure batteries do fall ( though I cannot remember them going below 12,.3v, as I have an alarm set to trigger at 12.2v ) and are replenished during the day
Although I have a small inverter it has NEVER been used.. In fact one day I really must try it !
We have 3 x 110aH batteries ( so a realistic usable capacity of about 150aH ) which I replace every two years, selling off the used ones at half price or less
Maybe get to go on hook up a few days a year..
When in Spain for winter you will usually find us plugged in but rarely have the mains switched on except washing day ( for the twin tub )
Even the microwave is used so rarely its main function it to gather dust !
Our leccy bill for two months in 2018 was ( from memory ) 6€ ( which went I went to pay it the chap said not to worry ! ), this year it was 12€
So we use a lot of battery, and rely on a lot of solar
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