Budget solar controllers

[ghostlymoron]

I've installed small solar installations on several boats 20w panel and cheap pwm controller. They've all been satisfactory and kept my batteries nicely topped up. I'm not a live aboard and no refrigeration.
What would I gain by using a well known controller such as Victron or Bluesolar?

 

[Bobc]

Not a lot. You would be better-off buying a bigger panel rather than an MPPT controller.

 

[noelex]

The gain in power from MPPT technology is only slight and the self consumption inherent in the technology can be a significant problem with very small panels such as this (although the self consumption is low on the smaller Victron models).

Many of the cheaper controllers do not have finely adjustable battery set points like the Victron, but with such a small panel the set points are not as critical. Finally cheap controllers are not very reliable, but non MPPT controllers (PWM) controllers are simpler so are more likely to have a reasonable life if you are lucky.

So if you have an existing PWM controller that is working well and the set points are reasonable I would not change. If starting from scratch the slight extra cost of the Victron is probably worthwhile, but the real justification for better controllers will come with more than 20w of solar.

 

[PaulRainbow]

I've installed small solar installations on several boats 20w panel and cheap pwm controller. They've all been satisfactory and kept my batteries nicely topped up. I'm not a live aboard and no refrigeration.
What would I gain by using a well known controller such as Victron or Bluesolar?

With a 20w panel, nothing, keep your money.