Solar Battery Charge Controllers

Choosing the right Solar Battery Charge Controller

Solar Battery Charge Controllers make the difference!

Solar Battery Charge Controllers prevent solar panels from overcharging the battery. When battery voltage rises to a preset maximum, where the battery is completely charged, the controller automatically reduces or stops the solar charge.

In this article, we are stating that simple charge controllers are not the way to go. Maximum Power Point Tracking Controllers (MPPT) is what this story is all about.

Choosing the right Solar Battery Charge Controller may provide the increased electric power of an additional solar panel, maybe more! Rated for up to 60 amps of DC output current, the OutBack MX60 can be used with battery systems from 12 to 60 vdc. The MX60's setpoints are fully adjustable to allow use with virtually any battery type, chemistry, and charging profile.

Outback MX60 MPPT Charge Controller

How MPPT Works
When a solar panel is connected to a battery, the battery limits the voltage output of the panel. This limiting, is one of the reasons you see two voltages listed on the back of your solar panel.

One voltage is the open circuit voltage, this is the voltage output the panel will produce under full sun. As soon as batteries are connected to the solar panels, the voltage drops to the other listed voltage, the panel operating voltage.

An MPPT charge controller "fools" the panels into producing a higher voltage by "eliminating" their view of the batteries in the system. This allows more power to go into the batteries, up to 30% more power in some instances.

RVers who use or want to use Solar Power for electricity, should understand that the right Solar Battery Charge Controller may easily mean the difference between success or frustration with your solar electric system.

Blue Sky 6024 MPPT Controller

Note:
An MPPT controller should be rated at 25% MORE amperes than a non-boosted controller, in order to provide headroom for current boosting. This rating refers to the maximum output amperes to the battery, not input amps from the panels.