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====== Tweaking a configurable shunt controller ======
[ [[http://amzn.to/2mU84Hi|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mQeQpy7tL._SY90_.jpg?150}}]]
Note: this article was written by secessus about the [[http://amzn.to/2mU84Hi|type of controller seen on the right]].  They are called CMTD among other names. ]

A configurable [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#shunt|shunt]] (single stage) controller can be a very good deal, sometimes less than $10 shipped.  While they share the same lower-yield issues with PWM and for the same reason((Vpanel == Vbatt)) they can be tweaked for better performance.  

There are three [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|setpoints]] that interest us:  charging setpoint, low voltage disconnect, and low voltage reconnect.

The **charging setpoint**, called PV OFF on the screen, is the highest voltage you want your battery to see.  There are no separate Absorption voltage (Vabs) or Float voltage (Vfloat) settings, just the one PV OFF setpoint.  So you have to pick a compromise.    There are a couple reasons to [[electrical:solar:pwm_tweaking#the_controller_s_achilles_heel|use a higher-than-usual voltage]]:  the battery will be able to run the panels at a higher voltage where they make more power (closer to Vmp).  This means you can also run bigger loads without affecting the battery much or [[electrical:solar:offthepanel|even at all]].

So if you are deep cycling the batteries daily and can check water levels one can use something quite high like 14.7v((Trebor English reminds us to fiddle the voltage per season since these devices don't have temp compensation)) or as high as your battery manufacturer allows for Absorption.  Check your water levels!  \
If you are deep cycling but //can't// check water levels (maintenance free or AGM batts) Something like 14.2v.  If you are using the battery each night but not deeply, you might set it to a high float-like voltage like 13.8v.  If the batteries are just being maintained and not used consider dropping to a normal 13.2v float voltage.

**Low Voltage Disconnect**, called LOAD OFF on the screen, should be set no lower than 12.2v for actual deep cycle batteries.  If you are using "marine" or wally world 12v "deep cycle" batteries 12.4v will keep the battery in a healthier 25% depth of discharge zone.

**Low Voltage reconnect**, called LOAD ON on the screen,  should be set high enough that the panel is making meaningful power before the load is applied again.  Maybe 13.4v, no lower than 13v.
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