Good company for solar regulators and panels needed!

C

cliffdale

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I bought cheap and got a plastic mppt regulator. I know, 'you get what you pay for'! I think the regulator is knackered already, probably has never worked but only now have I tested it by anchoring away from the mains!

Can anyone recommend a good company to go for sound advice. I'm looking to replace the regulator and probaly the cheap ebay solar panel I bought.

Often I read recommendation for solar but I can not find it on searches.

Has anyone got suggestions where to go please.
Thanks
 
hello Cliff - saw your previous post, nothing to add unfortunately.
I installed a 50W BP monocrystal solar panel last year (gifted to me - so I can't recommend a supplier). I "marinised it" - sealing the frame both sides - belt and braces. The BP panel is well built - the ali frame is more than adequate.

I can recommend this German regulator. It's basic but very well built again. I'm using the dual option to charge 2 x 100Ah. I over spec'd it on purpose, should I need to add another panel sometime. So far, very happy.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/dual-16a-solar-charge-regulator-266145

rgds
c

PS - I'm planning to install a net flow Ammeter at some point to complement the engine panel's volts guage - I'm not a huge fan of battery monitors - the value for money is just not apparent to me.
 
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Morningstar for the cheapest regulators that still work
Gensun are the best small regulators.
Rogue the best medium sized regulators.
Outback the best large array regulators.
 
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I have cheapo 80 watt Ebay panel linked to Maplin German regulator and it works very well.
600 amp of battery all at 14.0 volts on cutoff by the regulator.
In depths of winter the lowest was about 12.5 volts, so all the abtteries were nearly fully charged.
P.S. What is mains electrikery.. never needed it?
 
cimo said:
hello Cliff - saw your previous post, nothing to add unfortunately.
I installed a 50W BP monocrystal solar panel last year (gifted to me - so I can't recommend a supplier). I "marinised it" - sealing the frame both sides - belt and braces. The BP panel is well built - the ali frame is more than adequate.

I can recommend this German regulator. It's basic but very well built again. I'm using the dual option to charge 2 x 100Ah. I over spec'd it on purpose, should I need to add another panel sometime. So far, very happy.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/dual-16a-solar-charge-regulator-266145

rgds
c

PS - I'm planning to install a net flow Ammeter at some point to complement the engine panel's volts guage - I'm not a huge fan of battery monitors - the value for money is just not apparent to me.
Click to expand...

It is as you say just a basic on/off regulator.
Not an MPPT regulator that will/ should/ might just squeeze that bit extra out of a solar panel.
Not a PWM regulator either.
 
VicS said:
It is as you say just a basic on/off regulator.
Not an MPPT regulator that will/ should/ might just squeeze that bit extra out of a solar panel.
Not a PWM regulator either.
Click to expand...

correct, I find it ubber reliable & excellent value for money though.

noelex said:
The on / off solar regulators waste a lot of power and are rarely a sensible choice.
Click to expand...

The mppt & pwm regs can be more effecient at conversion (I don't have the sums at hand now).
Being a simple type, I have too much input for my needs as is, on/off was a deliberate decision, so I wouldn't necessarily agree with the last bit. With regards to budget - I'd advocate throwing the money at the panel.
 
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Thanks for the replies.

I would like to go for the best mppt.

Maplins has been mentioned, I'll have a look at the site now.

I didnt mention, I'm looking for a semi flexible around 100 watt. Also, I am planning to have one or two panels stored in the cabin that can be used when needed. I'm going to fit a deck plug fitting that will connect in parallel to the semi flexible that is permanently in place. The ones in the cabin can will be on flex leads and can be moved around to point to the sun.

Company names to phone will be helpful.

Cliff
 
The problem with on / off regulators is that a lot of power is wasted and the regulation voltages are such that the battery never reaches 100% charge. Attaining a 100% charging, least occasionally, is a big help in extending battery life.
Rather than getting an on / off regulator, a smaller panel without a regulator, or the same panel with a PVM regulator is generally a better choice. The former will be less expensive the later slightly more expensive, but the battery life will be better and depending on the circumstances generally one of these two options are usually a wiser choice.
 
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noelex said:
The problem with on / off regulators is that a lot of power is wasted and the battery never reaches 100% charge. Attaining a 100% charge at least occasionally is a big help in extending battery life.
Rather than getting an on / off regulator, a smaller panel without a regulator, or the same panel with a PVM regulator is generally a better choice. The former will be less expensive the later slightly more expensive, but depending on the circumstances generally one of these two options are better.
Click to expand...

Is there a difference between a PVM and the Mppt chargers?
I dont mind what I go for as long as they are good. I have just had my fingers burnt by going cheap!
 
cliffdale said:
Is there a difference between a PVM and the Mppt chargers?
I dont mind what I go for as long as they are good. I have just had my fingers burnt by going cheap!
Click to expand...
PWM ( pulse width modulation) controls the charging rate ...reducing it as the battery charges.

MPPT ( maximum powerpoint tracking ) controls the load on the panel so that it is operating at its maximum power output... The specs for a panel should tell you the terminal volts at which that occurs but typically around 16 volts. The electronics then convert the power at this voltage to power at the normal battery charging voltage 14 volts or whatever.

A bit of Googling and reading of the info on the manufacturers websites should find you a more detailed ( and accurate) explanation
 
cliffdale said:
Is there a difference between a PVM and the Mppt chargers?
I dont mind what I go for as long as they are good. I have just had my fingers burnt by going cheap!
Click to expand...

There are three different types of solar regulators.

1. On/off. These turn on till the battery voltage reaches say 14.4v they then turn off the solar panels completely untill the voltage drops to say 13.4 v

2. PWM these turn on till say the battery voltage reaches say 14.4v they then maintain this voltage for say 2 hours. They keep the voltage at this constant level. When the time is expired the voltage is reduced to the float voltage say 13.7v and kept at this voltage.

3. MPPT these are really MPPT and PWM. They are the same as 2., but also do some voltage conversion to extract a little more power out of the panels.

The difference between 1and 2 in terms of power extracted and battery life is large. There is only a small extra gain between 2and 3.

With regulators 2 and 3 the better ones have adjustable voltages and some have meter etc.
MPPT need to have good circuitry to perform well so cheap MPPT do a poor job of energy extraction and are not worth buying.

Generally for boat systems MPPT is only worthwhile on larger systems, but PWM is generally always worthwhile (or no regulator) over simple on /off regulators.

There is no need to scared of good quality PWM regulators, like the morningstar range. Moving up to Gensun or Rogue MPPT will get you more control and energy, but for your system it is probably not worth the difference unless you want to extract the most power out of a limited area.
 
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VicS said:
PWM ( pulse width modulation) controls the charging rate ...reducing it as the battery charges.

MPPT ( maximum powerpoint tracking ) controls the load on the panel so that it is operating at its maximum power output... The specs for a panel should tell you the terminal volts at which that occurs but typically around 16 volts. The electronics then convert the power at this voltage to power at the normal battery charging voltage 14 volts or whatever.

A bit of Googling and reading of the info on the manufacturers websites should find you a more detailed ( and accurate) explanation
Click to expand...

Thanks

The way forward is to go for MPPT. I have been googling for a company but I do not want to buy from ebay again.

Any suggestions where to get a good quality one from?

Thanks
 
I bought super cheap stuff off ebay direct from china - pleased with it! western european retailers get their high margin stuff from the same place by the way :)
 
noelex said:
The problem with on / off regulators is that a lot of power is wasted and the regulation voltages are such that the battery never reaches 100% charge. Attaining a 100% charging, least occasionally, is a big help in extending battery life.
Rather than getting an on / off regulator, a smaller panel without a regulator, or the same panel with a PVM regulator is generally a better choice. The former will be less expensive the later slightly more expensive, but the battery life will be better and depending on the circumstances generally one of these two options are usually a wiser choice.
Click to expand...
I have a simple on/off regulator which works well and protects the battery from boiling. Most sailors use the engine quite often which will charge more quickly. If you are never going to use the engine and you spend long periods at anchor, a more sophisticated charge regulator/controller would be justified IMHO.
 
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