Solar Controller recommendation.

[MMonty]

Hi all!
Looking to add solar to my 2015 Autotrail Imala 720. I won’t be going for full off grid capabilities , mainly for spending a few days at THS or CL and keeping batteries topped up in storage.
I will be fitting myself But doesn’t really seem to be a kit available to buy complete, that suits my needs. So looking to buy each part separate. Can get a 160W panel, wiring, plastic mounts ( to stick on ) and wiring entry box all ok, but the controller seems to be a sticking point. I am looking to do my leisure and vehicle battery so will need a dual controller, also from my digging about a MPPT would be best to get as much power as possible in the normally grey cloudy Scottish days.
only decent looking controller that ticks most of the boxes is the Votronic. But when added to the optional display will be around the £200 area, and only seems to be a small 1 amp trickle to the Vehicle battery.
Can anyone in the know advise if there is any other choices out there, or if I even need a MPPT controller. been advised by one company that it is a waste of money as I only want 1 panel, but seems to contradict everything that I read.
Sorry for long post, and hope someone can advise.

Thanks,

 

[PhilandMena]

This may be useful.
<Broken link removed>

 

[Stealaway]

I have the non 20A MPPT dual battery with the MeTer -- works well on my 225W panels

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=302456110923

 

[Richard n Ann]

I fitted the Votronic duo 250 on our van. 1 amp to the vehicle starter battery should be plenty unless you're using the battery for something. Since I fitted ours we can use the van radio and the starter battery is fine

 

[MMonty]

I fitted the Votronic duo 250 on our van. 1 amp to the vehicle starter battery should be plenty unless you're using the battery for something. Since I fitted ours we can use the van radio and the starter battery is fine

It was the 250 I was going to get. Didn’t like the idea of a 160w panel on the 165. Do u have the added display?

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[Figaro]

Votronic 250 duo with display for me as well. Recommended by @lennyhb and plus others do that'll do for me.
The display is not essential but more useful really. Mines a more mature van so I thought the display would give a bit more accuracy to information.

 

[funflair]

I had two Votronic controllers on the last van both MPPT and well worth going that way IMO one had the solar computer connected and tells you some nice to know stuff but not the end of the world if you want to save £80.

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

I use a Votronic as well I have the MPP 350 but I have 300 watts of solar. The 1 amp to keep the starter battery topped up should be fine but I don't use it myself as I happened to have a CBE solar split charge relay lying around that gives up 4 amps to the starter battery.
Try it if the 1 amp is not enough the CBE relay is less than £25.
I also make use of the AES output to run the fridge when I have plenty of solar.
A monitor is not really essential the voltage on your control panel will give you an idea to the state of charge but being a nerd I have a Victron battery monitor.

 

[Richard n Ann]

It was the 250 I was going to get. Didn’t like the idea of a 160w panel on the 165. Do u have the added display?

No I went for the BM1 battery monitor because it tells you everything rather than just what the solar is doing. It's very good quality, but it's another £100

 

[Ninjabob]

I think the Votronic is unusual for a MPPT controller in that it has that useful 1 amp cab battery port. This seems to be enough power to overcome battery drain from alarms etc. You could probably manage with a MPP 165 Duo Digital but if you decided to extend your arrays at a later date the MPP 250 would make more sense. The display is overpriced and not really necessary - I have one and the only useful readout is the amperage that the unit is producing but that is only useful if you have the batteries under load. You can rely on the controller to do it's thing without it.

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[Manic]

I’ve got a Votronic 250duo and pleased with it.
If you do go for the Votronic be careful where you put it because one of the green led’s flash at night.

 

[Lenny HB]

I’ve got a Votronic 250duo and pleased with it.
If you do go for the Votronic be careful where you put it because one of the green led’s flash at night.

Mine is under the double floor near the batteries no way can I see the LED's even if I wanted to.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Votronic and the 1amp vehicle battery feed works well on ours which has an alarm.

 

[mrh74]

Fitted the Votronic Duo 250 yesterday, only one day with it, but seems to be working better than the old controller, I will be wiring the feed to the van battery once the bits arrive to do it with.

 

[Off da Grid]

I have the Votronic 350 due mppt. It really is a fit and forget solution.
I did buy the display as said by others it’s not necessary, unless your really interested in what you panels are producing.

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[autorouter]

only decent looking controller that ticks most of the boxes is the Votronic. But when added to the optional display will be around the £200 area, and only seems to be a small 1 amp trickle to the Vehicle battery.

1 amp is probably all you need. Usually you arrive at the site or at home after a long drive, and the vehicle battery is fully charged. If it's getting up to 1 amp for the daylight hours that's more than enough to keep it charged, even with an alarm and tracker to be powered.

The only exception is if you are powering the radio/sound system from the vehicle battery while parked. In that case it's best to mod the wiring so it runs off the leisure battery, with a manual or ignition-controlled switchover if you prefer.