Standard (that is, all but the MPPT types), will often work with high voltage panels if the maximum input voltage of the charge controller is not exceeded. What happens when you use a standard controller Some are standard 24-volt panels, but most are not. Voltages on grid tie panels vary quite a bit, usually from 21 to 60 volts or so. Nearly all PV panels rated over 140 watts are NOT standard 12-volt panels, and cannot (or at least should not) be used with standard charge controllers. Using High Voltage (grid tie) Panels With Batteries (see complete info on battery voltages in our battery section). This voltage will vary from about 10.5 to 14.6, depending on the state of charge of the battery, the type of battery, in what mode the controller is in, and temperature. The charge controller regulates this 16 to 20 volts output of the panel down to what the battery needs at the time. Roughly, a panel rated at 100 watts at room temperature will be an 83 watt panel at 110 degrees.ĭetailed information on MPPT charge controllers.
*Contrary to intuition, solar panels work best at cooler temperatures. A fully charged "12-volt" battery is around 12.7 volts at rest (around 13.6 to 14.4 under charge), so the panel has to put out at least that much under worst-case conditions. The panels need to provide some extra voltage so that when the sun is low in the sky, or you have heavy haze, cloud cover, or high temperatures*, you still get some output from the panel. This is not something you can count on in most places.
Solar charge controller full#
The reason is that if you do that, the panels will provide power only when cool, under perfect conditions, and full sun. The obvious question then comes up - "why aren't panels just made to put out 12 volts". If you are maintaining AGM deep cycle batteries, such as the Concorde Sun Xtender then you can use a smaller 2 to 2-watt panel. The popular 5-watt panels are close enough, and will not need a controller.
Solar charge controller series#
So to keep up a series pair of them (12 volts) just for maintenance or storage, you would want a panel that is around 4.2 watts. A rough rule is that if the panel puts out about 2 watts or less for each 50 battery amp-hours, then you don't need one.įor example, a standard flooded golf car battery is around 210 amp-hours. Generally, there is no need for a charge controller with the small maintenance, or trickle charge panels, such as the 1 to 5-watt panels. Most batteries need around 14 to 14.5 volts to get fully charged. Most "12 volt" panels put out about 16 to 20 volts, so if there is no regulation the batteries will be damaged from overcharging. It regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels going to the battery. What is a Solar Charge Controller?Ī charge controller or charge regulator is basically a voltage and/or current regulator to keep batteries from overcharging. Shop our selection of Solar Charge Controllers here. Pump Installation Equipment & Accessories.Solar Pump Installation Equipment & Accessories.Solar Pump Controllers & Current Boosters.
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