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electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking

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electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking [2019/05/09 21:09]
frater_secessus [battery: maintain a higher state of charge]
electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking [2021/06/26 11:46]
frater_secessus [the controller's achilles heel]
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-===== the controller's achilles heel =====+===== PWM's achilles heel =====
  
 During charging with a PWM controller **the solar panel will be running at the voltage of the battery bank**.  Unfortunately, this is almost never the voltage at which the panel makes its rated power (Vmp).  The panel will make less and less power when battery voltage is low.   During charging with a PWM controller **the solar panel will be running at the voltage of the battery bank**.  Unfortunately, this is almost never the voltage at which the panel makes its rated power (Vmp).  The panel will make less and less power when battery voltage is low.  
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 Since the panels make more power at higher voltages((up to Vmp)) cranking up Vabs and Vfloat to higher-but-still-sane levels will result in more power being harvested.  Since the panels make more power at higher voltages((up to Vmp)) cranking up Vabs and Vfloat to higher-but-still-sane levels will result in more power being harvested. 
 +
 +Using the above panel as an example, Vabs of 14.7v will yield 3.5% more power than a Vabs of 14.1v.  Vfloat of 13.8v will yield 4.5% more power than a Vfloat of 13.2v. \\
 +Note:  consult the battery manufacturer's recommendations for the actual maximum voltages.  Controller presets often are set too low by the factory since they don't know what battery you will use it with. Better safe than sorry, say their lawyers. 
 +
 +DO invest in the $10 temperature probe option.
 ==== battery: maintain a higher state of charge ==== ==== battery: maintain a higher state of charge ====
  
electrical/solar/pwm_tweaking.txt ยท Last modified: 2023/11/19 16:18 by frater_secessus