australia:solar_regulators
Table of Contents
solar regulator / controllers for solar panels for camping
see also:
- I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective
Introduction
- in order for a solar panel to safely charge your battery system, you need to have a voltage regulator that will output the appropriate voltage to your battery
- if you are using lithium batteries, this regulator needs to be compatible with lithium batteries (many are NOT compatible, especially those which come with a solar panel as a kit)
- these will generally require additional input/output power cables such as cables with Anderson plugs
- consider using yellow plugs for the solar input circuit (athough some solar panels already are pre-wired with grey Anderson plugs or MC4 connectors) and standard grey plugs for the output to the battery circuit so you don't get them mixed up
- yellow Anderson plugs will not plug into grey Anderson plugs!
- there are two main options in solar regulators:
- DC-DC chargers designed for charging battery from car alternator but which also have a solar regulator
- stand-alone solar regulators
- additional considerations:
- MPPT design is around 10% more efficient than the older style PWM devices and will make better use of the solar panel
- maximum current:
- a 20A controller is adequate for 260W / 12V or 520W / 24V solar and for lithium batteries >= 20Ah; (AGM batteries must be >= 100Ah);
- a 40A controller is adequate for 520W / 12V or 1040W / 24V solar and for lithium batteries >= 40Ah; (AGM batteries must be >= 200Ah);
- maximum input voltage
- the solar controller input max current should be at least 20% higher than the panel's short-circuit current
- the solar controller input max voltage should be at least 4% higher than the panel's open circuit voltage.
- size, weight and cost
- ability to monitor battery temperature and reduce output if getting too hot
- ability to send information via Bluetooth to smartphone or a remote meter
- weathersealing
Stand alone MPPT solar regulator / controller for lithium and lead acid batteries
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- 158x217x57mm; 390W on 12V; temp sensor; 2 Anderson plugs fitted; $149
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- 3m temp probe, opt. BT module (kit $AU139 incl. BT)
- up to 75V input; operating temperature -35℃ to +45℃; IP32 (NOT waterproof); 1.4kg; 210*151*59.5mm
- for lithium batteries >= 20Ah; (AGM batteries must be >= 100Ah);
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- 3m temp probe, opt. BT module (kit $AU209 incl. BT)
- up to 75V input; operating temperature -35℃ to +45℃; IP32 (NOT waterproof); 2kg; 238*173*72.5mm
- for lithium batteries >= 40Ah; (AGM batteries must be >= 200Ah);
- iTechworld 40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- 40A; 1.3kg; Li; 50A 6AWG cables needed;
- Renogy Rover Li 40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- 40A; Max. PV Input Power: 12V/520W, 24V/1040W; Max. PV Input Voltage: 100 VDC;
- 2kg; IP32; $AU211 opt. Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module
- Victron Smart Solar 75/15 MPPT Solar Controller - In-built Bluetooth
- max PV open circuit voltage 75V / 15A PV short circuit current; for 12V/24V batteries;
- PV terminals 6mm2 / AWG10; Battery terminals - 35mm2 / AWG2; IP43 (electronic components), IP22 (connection area) 0.5kg $AU210
- VICTRON SMART SOLAR MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER 100/30
- 30A Nominal PV Power: 12V - 440W | 24V - 880W;
- 1.3kg; $AU399
- opt. Bluetooth-pairing with a LoRaWAN (long-range wide area network) device
- Victron Energy BlueSolar MPPT 150/60-MC4 Solar Charge Controller
- for home solar mainly as 60A max and compatible with 12/24/36/48V battery systems
- Max. PV short circuit current: 50A; Maximum PV open circuit voltage: 150 V;
- PV terminals are MC4 connectors
- $AU840
DC-DC chargers with MPPT solar regulator for lithium and lead acid
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- suitable for solar panels up to 300-350W combined output $AU634
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- for lithium batteries 50-250Ah (AGM batteries must be 75-300Ah); new 3pin Anderson plug with ignition wire; $AU549
- suitable for solar panels up to 300-350W combined output
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- opt. Bluetooth module
- Itechworld DCDC40
- 40A, MPPT solar; Li; 950g;
optional DC-DC / solar hubs
- these are boxes with separate colour coded Anderson plugs for main car battery system, solar input, auxiliary battery and show the voltages of the two battery systems
- these then connect to the DC-DC charger but you will still need a wire to the car's ignition wiring
- eg. AtemPower VABGHUB-AP-HUM
- a better solution is for DC-DC chargers to have Anderson plugs built in, but no such devices are available at present
australia/solar_regulators.txt · Last modified: 2023/03/27 09:17 by gary1