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electrical:solar:charge_controller [2021/10/04 21:10] frater_secessus [USB converters] |
electrical:solar:charge_controller [2022/04/30 17:03] frater_secessus [shunt] |
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Charge controllers are generally **rated by the amount of output they can provide**. This output is shared by charging circuits and [[# | Charge controllers are generally **rated by the amount of output they can provide**. This output is shared by charging circuits and [[# | ||
Controllers operate based on [[electrical: | Controllers operate based on [[electrical: | ||
- | ===== types of charge controllers ===== | + | ===== specs ===== |
+ | |||
+ | Regardless of type, controllers will have several specifications in common. | ||
+ | |||
+ | * **rating (or " | ||
+ | * **Maximum input voltage** - the highest voltage the controller should ever see from the solar array.((it is common to leave ~20% margin)) | ||
+ | * **12v/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Types of charge controllers ===== | ||
[note from frater secessus: PWM vs. MPPT debates can get overheated in forums and comments. It's your money and your build so do it the way that meets your needs.] | [note from frater secessus: PWM vs. MPPT debates can get overheated in forums and comments. It's your money and your build so do it the way that meets your needs.] | ||
+ | |||
+ | === The quick and dirty === | ||
+ | |||
+ | **PWM** is a lot cheaper, but less gives less power (50-60% of panel input can be used). **MPPT** is more expensive, but gives more power (80-90% of panel input can be used) | ||
==== PWM ==== | ==== PWM ==== | ||
[[http:// | [[http:// | ||
Line 65: | Line 78: | ||
> If your charge controller only holds [absorption] voltage for an hour or two, that is likely not enough time. As long as [there is a load] and you cycle the battery daily, you could set float voltage to 14.8v [to match absorption] without worry. Only when you stop cycling the battery do you need to return float voltage to more regular 13.2v levels. Premature application of float voltage by automatic charging sources is a battery killer.((http:// | > If your charge controller only holds [absorption] voltage for an hour or two, that is likely not enough time. As long as [there is a load] and you cycle the battery daily, you could set float voltage to 14.8v [to match absorption] without worry. Only when you stop cycling the battery do you need to return float voltage to more regular 13.2v levels. Premature application of float voltage by automatic charging sources is a battery killer.((http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Also see [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | > ....a rather inexpensive piece of equipment but it doesn’t do a terrible job of being a basic solar charge controller. On the whole, it behaves as one may expect – protecting the battery from excessive voltage and overdischarge, | ||
==== USB converters ==== | ==== USB converters ==== | ||
[[https:// | [[https:// | ||
- | These aren't controllers in the normal sense, but there are [[https:// | + | These aren't controllers in the normal sense, but there are [[https:// |
If you only need 5v USB power up to 2.5A per port this may be a workable solution. | If you only need 5v USB power up to 2.5A per port this may be a workable solution. | ||
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this section [[electrical: | this section [[electrical: | ||
===== Using LOAD output ===== | ===== Using LOAD output ===== | ||
- | It is common for charge controllers to have a LOAD output for powering (or switching) loads. | ||
- | > The load outputs take power from the battery terminals.... the only advantage in using the load terminals | + | It is common for charge controllers |
- | Not all types of loads should | + | ==== historical use ==== |
+ | |||
+ | LOAD terminals were originally used to control nighttime lighting, like pathway or garden lights. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== present use ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | In practice the LOAD terminals typically are either ignored((some well-respected controllers don't have them anymore)) or used as [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | One benefit to doing this is you can define a [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== why loads aren't powered from LOAD terminals | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | > The load outputs take power from the battery terminals.... the only advantage in using the load terminals is displayed info and the ability to disconnect the load at programmable voltage levels. -- mikefitz((https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Some loads are inappropriate for the LOAD output. Morningstar says: | ||
> Heavily inductive or capacitive loads such as **pumps, motors, compressors, | > Heavily inductive or capacitive loads such as **pumps, motors, compressors, |