![]() The “MPPT” is the more popular with boondockers because it allows solar panels to deliver their maximum power possible. Solar charge controllers come in “MPPT” and “PWM” varieties.Make sure it will let you adjust the amperage and voltage for a battery’s “bulk”, “absorption”, and “float” modes. A good solar charge controller is programmable to accommodate any brand or type of battery.How to Find a Good Solar Charge Controller Spend the extra money to get a high quality solar charge controller. This is where you don’t want to go cheap. The industry is filled with cheap, Chinese-made solar charge controllers. Charging your batteries too much causes them to overheat and catch on fire.Ī controller also decides how to charge your batteries properly by changing the flow of amps and voltage rate based on the battery manufacturer’s recommended specifications. ![]() ![]() The controller makes sure your batteries don’t get “over charged”. The solar charge controller is a device that sits between your solar panels and your batteries. What matters is that you have a good solar charge controller to marry the two together. It doesn’t really matter what solar panels you have nor what batteries you have. What Matters the Most is the Solar Charge Controller This means, you can return the batteries in the 11th month, and get a new set for free. Costco sells these batteries cheaper than any other store, and gives you a 12 month warranty, with no questions asked. Costco sells batteries made by Interstate. Tip: Many boondockers buy their batteries from Costco. However, lithium batteries are very sensitive to cold they cannot be recharged once temperature reaches 32 degrees F. Lithium phosphate batteries have their advantage in much lighter weight, about 30 pounds versus 60 pounds for flooded cell or AGM, and being able to sustain voltage all the way down to 0% state of charge. AGM batteries also charge more quickly, and they also get about 50% more life span. AGM batteries are popular with van dwellers for this reason. Thus, it can be stored inside your living space. The only real advantage of the AGM battery is that it does not produce any toxic fumes. A 12 volt, 100 AH lithium phosphate battery will cost between $800.00 to $1,000.00.A 12 volt, deep cycle, 100 AH AGM battery will cost $250.00 on average.A 12 volt, deep cycle, 100 AH flooded cell battery will cost $120.00 on average.On the other hand, if you’re the type who’d rather “set it and forget it”, using cheap, flooded cell batteries are your best option. If you buy expensive batteries, then you will want to spend more time (and money) managing those batteries to maximize their life span. Specifically, they use flooded-cell batteries (the kind you pour water into) because these batteries are cheap enough to replace every 12 to 24 months.Īll batteries have to be replaced at some point, and thus the cheaper the better. Most boondockers use lead-acid batteries with their solar panels. The BoonDoctor installing an Interstate 6 volt golf cart battery into a trailer What Kind of Batteries Do You Use for Solar Panels? What matters the most is the solar charge controller. You can use lithium-phosphate batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, flooded cell or AGM. Solar panels don’t care what batteries they are charging, and batteries don’t care what solar panels are being used. You can use any kind of batteries with solar panels.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |