Solar Controller

[DumfriesDik]

Can anyone tell me if this is a PWM or MTTP controller? If it is the former, is it worth changing to MTTP?? Thanks

 

[Two on Tour]

Your solar charge controller is PWM.
https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Solar-Technology/Dual-Battery-Solar-Charge-Controller/WJD


Normally a good MTTP solar charge controller will be 20% - 25% more efficient than a PWM controller

 

[Reallyretired]

Can't be certain, but most mppt controllers have that fairly prominently displayed so probably pwm.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yep, that is a cheap PWM well worth changing.

 

[Geo]

Unless you are prepared to buy quality recomended controller
Dont bother E bay and the likes are awash with fake controllers fully labeled as MPPT
Take advice from members recomendatios
Buy once buy right its cheaper despite the cost

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[Wh05apk]

I'm considering changing from pwm to mppt we have 420w of solar and 246ah battery, we are predominantly off grid, at the moment spring to autumn is no problem, but winter time is where the problem is, will even an mppt controller make any worthwhile difference this time of year?

 

[Two on Tour]

I'm considering changing from pwm to mppt we have 420w of solar and 246ah battery, we are predominantly off grid, at the moment spring to autumn is no problem, but winter time is where the problem is, will even an mppt controller make any worthwhile difference this time of year?

Depends on your definition of worthwhile really, but certainly replacing with MTTP will improve your solar harvesting in all lighting conditions.

 

[Jake Royd]

I think the same company now do a MPPPT controller.
I have the same PWM controller you have.
It works fine. I have 200w of solar.
I have not tried my system off grid due to Covid this year so i don't know if I need the extra efficiency.
The advantage of their product, for me, is that the wiring is in the same sequence and position. I have relatively stiff 6mm2 cable so I can easily fit it.
it's here

15A MPPT Dual Battery Charge Controller

The PV Logic MPPT Pro charge controller has been designed to deliver the highest possible power from any 12v or 24v solar panel into a 12v or 24v battery

www.solartechnology.co.uk

You will find the other PWM controllers on their site are the same ones we currently have but the front panel has been revised but it's only a visual restyle.

 

[Neil S]

I also have the same MPPT controller as
Jake Royd and it definitely outperforms the standard PWM that was originally fitted to my Pilote
Also have the remote display

 

[Jake Royd]

I also have the same MPPT controller as
Jake Royd and it definitely outperforms the standard PWM that was originally fitted to my Pilote
Also have the remote display View attachment 447808

Interesting , the one I found has an integral bluetooth transmitter and an app.

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[Lenny HB]

I'm considering changing from pwm to mppt we have 420w of solar and 246ah battery, we are predominantly off grid, at the moment spring to autumn is no problem, but winter time is where the problem is, will even an mppt controller make any worthwhile difference this time of year?

It will give you 25-30% more overall with the greatest advantage at this time of year but that still won't be a lot. For a couple of hundred quid, I would say worth it.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you go for an MPPT regulator make sure you get one that is a multi-stage charger with bulk, absorbtion & float charging.

Two of the best for motorhomes are either the Victron or Votronic, the Votronic has the edge as it has dual output to charge the starter battery & an AES output for the fridge.

 

[Neil S]

Interesting , the one I found has an integral bluetooth transmitter and an app.

The MPPT controller featured in your original post is the same as I have fitted
It also has a connection for the remote display as well as a Bluetooth link to your smart phone

 

[autorouter]

In strong sunlight, when the weather is hot and the panel heats up, a PWM performs about the same as an MPPT. In weak sunlight, and/or when the panel is cooler, or the weather is cloudy, an MPPT can yield up to 30% more. So it depends on your usage. If you're a summertime/South of Spain camper, then not much benefit, but spring/autumn, or UK summer an MPPT is better. More info here:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/White-paper-Which-solar-charge-controller-PWM-or-MPPT.pdf

In winter, solar is pretty hopeless. Some days even the 4kW array on my house roof hardly produces anything. And a motorhome panel is usually flat horizontal on the roof, so that's even worse. In a UK winter there's a case for mounting vertically south-facing rather than horizontally. An MPPT would make it slightly less hopeless

 

[Wh05apk]

It will give you 25-30% more overall with the greatest advantage at this time of year but that still won't be a lot. For a couple of hundred quid, I would say worth it.

20-30% extra of not a lot is still not a lot though, if I had to replace I would go mppt without a doubt, but for a couple of hundred struggle to see how many "extra nights" we would actually benefit from, probably better to find a hook up every 4-5 days during winter.

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[Shaun929]

I have a Pwm charger fitted to my 200w solar system, is it just a matter of switching the wires and fitting a mppt charger ?

 

[Two on Tour]

I have a Pwm charger fitted to my 200w solar system, is it just a matter of switching the wires and fitting a mppt charger ?

Yes

 

[Phil 748]

I also have the same MPPT controller as
Jake Royd and it definitely outperforms the standard PWM that was originally fitted to my Pilote
Also have the remote display View attachment 447808

Hi how does the cable fit into the display?

 

[Neil S]

Hi how does the cable fit into the display?

Similar to this but a bit smaller

 

[Phil 748]

View attachment 447862Similar to this but a bit smaller

Hi does it connect into the bottom of the display or to rear of the unit

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[Neil S]

Hi does it connect into the bottom of the display or to rear of the unit

pretty sure its the bottom of the remote display I think and a 3.5mm jackplug to the solar controller , unfortunately my motorhome is in inside storage 60 mile from home otherwise I'd checked

 

[DumfriesDik]

Sorry for my naivety, I think I have two leisure batteries and one vehicle battery (Fiat Ducato) somewhere else.

The output on the controller has an output for battery 1 and battery2. I had assumed that was one out put for each of the leisure batteries - might it be 1 is for leisure and 2 for vehicle?

With the inverter - is it best to turn it off when not in use?

 

[Lenny HB]

Sorry for my naivety, I think I have two leisure batteries and one vehicle battery (Fiat Ducato) somewhere else.

The output on the controller has an output for battery 1 and battery2. I had assumed that was one out put for each of the leisure batteries - might it be 1 is for leisure and 2 for vehicle?

With the inverter - is it best to turn it off when not in use?

On your controller normally battery one is the leisure battery and you can set the percentage of charge that goes to the starter battery normally 10%.

Yes turn the inverter off when not in use as they can draw a couple of amps in standby.

 

[SallyJ]

On your controller normally battery one is the leisure battery and you can set the percentage of charge that goes to the starter battery normally 10%.

Yes turn the inverter off when not in use as they can draw a couple of amps in standby.

I think it’s worth noting (as I learned to my cost) that this specific dual controller cannot adjust the amount of charge. The first battery gets 100% of the charge until it’s 75% full. Only then does it change, and both batteries get an equal amount of the charge.

You cannot change those settings, they can’t be adjusted. So if like me your leaisure battery is not great, or it’s low and there’s no real solar charge, then your other battery will never get any charge at all.

 

[DumfriesDik]

So if like me your leaisure battery is not great

Thanks for your post and all the information, very helpful. I will leave my solar system as it is for now and see how it works when used in the summer months. Both leisure batteries will be replaced once the charger has been checked its not overcharging.