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electrical:solar:charge_controller [2022/04/30 17:21]
frater_secessus [specs]
electrical:solar:charge_controller [2022/08/03 19:58]
frater_secessus [positive ground controllers]
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 **MPPT is effectively required** when: **MPPT is effectively required** when:
-  * using panels with nominal voltages higher than 12v ((more precisely, when panel nominal voltage exceeds house bank nominal voltage)).   To be fair, [[http://mouse.mousetrap.net/blog/2021-07-09-solar-back-online-.html#pwm-spare-saved-my-bacon|one really can use higher-voltage panels with PWM and 12v banks]] -- they just end up running at about half power.    +  * using panels with nominal voltages higher than the battery bank voltage, like 24v panels with a 12v bank.   To be fair, [[http://mouse.mousetrap.net/blog/2021-07-09-solar-back-online-.html#pwm-spare-saved-my-bacon|one really can use higher-voltage panels with PWM and 12v banks]] -- they just end up running at about half power.    
   * space available for panels is limited, as on a sailboat or small vehicle   * space available for panels is limited, as on a sailboat or small vehicle
   * daytime loads are hampered by [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|PWM Vbatt hobbling]]   * daytime loads are hampered by [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking|PWM Vbatt hobbling]]
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 Note:  in wind and hydro power applications the output can be sequenced so that LOAD is activated only when batteries are fully charged.  This is called a "dump load" because those power sources need to be able to "dump" excess current to prevent damage to themselves.  Dump loads are not necessary in solar because panels can be open- or short-circuited without damage. Note:  in wind and hydro power applications the output can be sequenced so that LOAD is activated only when batteries are fully charged.  This is called a "dump load" because those power sources need to be able to "dump" excess current to prevent damage to themselves.  Dump loads are not necessary in solar because panels can be open- or short-circuited without damage.
 +
 +
 +==== connection order ====
 +
 +Solar charge controllers use the battery bank to provide a reference voltage for operation.  For this reason **the battery should always be present when solar panels are connected**.  This suggests a particular order for connection/disconnection/resetting:
 +
 +  - disconnect solar panels
 +  - disconnect battery
 +  - wait a moment
 +  - connect battery, wait for controller to power on
 +  - connect solar panels
 +
 +
 +
  
  
electrical/solar/charge_controller.txt ยท Last modified: 2024/04/16 20:28 by frater_secessus