Solar panel controller

30boat

30boat

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I bought this little thinghie http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Cha...60684563165?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item53fa79aadd for my solar panel and installed it yesterday.However I was too quick to place the order because immediately after there was a discussion here on more sophisticated units for little more money.Could someone please point me in the right direction please?I'd like a decent regulator for two batteries.The solar panel is a 50W one and there are two 85AH batteries.
Once I get it I'll offer this one to anybody who wants it.
 
Ship's Cat 73 said:
We've been running a 40W solar panel all summer to charge 2 batteries and used it in conjunction with a dual solar charge regulator from Maplins. It was so easy to connect and we give it top marks for performance. (so far . . . :) )

Here's the link :- http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-16a-dual-solar-charge-regulator-n35hg
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Also a simple on off controller although with outputs for two batteries.

I think what the Op is looking for is a PWM or even an MPPT controller Dual output if the batteries are two separate batteries or single output if the two a parallel into a single bank
 
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vyv_cox said:
I have had a Sunworks DB1 for many years http://www.sunworks.co.uk/MotorhomesandBoats.html#DB1C_DB2C. It performs well, displays the voltage in each battery bank, the current being generated, and which bank is receiving the power. Usefully, when it developed a fault after about five years it was repaired promptly and cheaply.
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Thanks that one looks great but I was hoping to spend less,although it's not too expensive.
 
30boat said:
Thanks that one looks great but I was hoping to spend less,although it's not too expensive.
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I have that one - well, the Photonic Universe badged version - and it seems to work really well. For another £20-30 you can get a nice remote monitor for it as well.
 
I've been running one of those all summer to charge my single 110Ah battery from 2 x 20W panels and it has been working fine....


30boat said:
I bought this little thinghie http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solar-Cha...60684563165?pt=UK_Gadgets&hash=item53fa79aadd for my solar panel and installed it yesterday.However I was too quick to place the order because immediately after there was a discussion here on more sophisticated units for little more money.Could someone please point me in the right direction please?I'd like a decent regulator for two batteries.The solar panel is a 50W one and there are two 85AH batteries.
Once I get it I'll offer this one to anybody who wants it.
Click to expand...
 
30boat said:
My problem is that I have two batteries. I could connect them both to the controller but it's probably not a good idea.
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If your two batteries are connected together anyway it's no problem but if you have one for starting and one for domestics you can't do it. I just charge the domestics with my solar, the start battery is recharged every time you start if it's in decent condition. How about a dual sensing VSR?
 
ghostlymoron said:
If your two batteries are connected together anyway it's no problem but if you have one for starting and one for domestics you can't do it. I just charge the domestics with my solar, the start battery is recharged every time you start if it's in decent condition. How about a dual sensing VSR?
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VSRs aren't generally much good with the relatively puny output of solar panels. Battery 1 gets charged, voltage rises, VSR closes, battery 2 drags down voltage, VSR opens, rinse, lather repeat. Chatter chatter chatter. Not an issue with alternators because even a flattish battery will pull down an alternator output much.
 
With 80 watt solar panel and 2 x 2 banks of 110 amp batteries, my Maplin controller works very well for the last 3 years. It works by sending power to the first most discharged bank first, and stops charging at 14 volts.
I think it cost about £12 and is very well built
 
30 boat - I think your question has been well answered ,but if you don't wish to buy another you could use your existing controller by adding a changeover switch that directs the solar charge to either battery.Requires fuses on each leg and a suitably rated switch and of course some discipline in making the manual changeover.
I have used the neat Cherry switch RS 706-3994 to switch the trickle charge from a 20W panel between two 110ah batteries.(no fridge).
But for £33 you would get automatic control and an indication of battery/charge status so the type of solution suggested by vyv seems a 'no brainer' which I'll use next time around.
 
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bluerm166 said:
30 boat - I think your question has been well answered ,but if you don't wish to buy another you could use your existing controller by adding a changeover switch that directs the solar charge to either battery.Requires fuses on each leg and a suitably rated switch and of course some discipline in making the manual changeover.
I have used the neat Cherry switch RS 706-3994 to switch the trickle charge from a 20W panel between two 110ah batteries.(no fridge).
But for £33 you would get automatic control and an indication of battery/charge status so the type of solution suggested by vyv seems a 'no brainer' which I'll use next time around.
Click to expand...

I'll order a better regulator like the one mentioned here.At the moment I'm changing the wires between batteries but that's not the right way to do it .
 
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