frontpage Posted by Probedude ā¢ Nov 8, 2023
Nov 8, 2023 3:42 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
frontpage Posted by Probedude ā¢ Nov 8, 2023
Nov 8, 2023 3:42 PM
Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 150/45 Charge Controller
& More + Free S&H$218
$363
39% offAmazon
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12/24/36/48 is pack voltage.
What I've seen is charge controllers are amp limited. So going to higher battery voltage will allow the controller to deliver higher watts vs lower battery pack voltage.
High PV input voltage allows you to series connect panels and not have to use high gauge wire between the panels and controller
Work backwards from the voltage of your house battery system (12v/24v/35v/48v), then if you have a general idea of how many watts you want (or can fit) on the RV roof, then that'll roughly give you your amps by dividing your desired watts by the battery voltage - for instance 800 watts divided by 24v battery system = 33.3amps, so you'd likely want a 30a or higher Victron unit. Then the first number in these model names is max solar panel input voltage into the charge controller (i.e. 100V, 150V - the higher the number, the more panels you can put in series - reducing gauge/cost of PV wire, but you can always compromise and run a series & parallel config to kind of get a medium voltage).
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Really depends, what voltage are you planning on running your battery bank at? 12V?
Appreciate the reply.
I'd just buy the highest amp controller you can, or you can actually run 2 lower amp controllers onto the same batteries - that might be cheaper and more flexible. Look up the VOC of your 200W panels as that's (roughly) the max they will output, and I would likely suggest a combined series/parallel configuration for a middling voltage or 50-100V, which will save you on gauge of PV wire, especially if panels are far from your controller. I think you can only parallel 4 or 5 panels with MC4 combiners, but you can combine with series and get good results. 12V vs 24v battery is a tough call, since you already own 12V inverters, probably best to just stick with them, but that means you'll need a higher amp charge controller.
Edit: Also, for those reading this thread who want to get a good, basic, easy-to-understand guide to these types of systems, I highly recommend Will Prowse's book in paperback - not affiliated or anything, but the book helped me a lot and his youtube videos as well: https://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Sol...154656711
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Vout is 14V or 24V; Iout is 45A
https://www.victronener
Notice the row - Nominal PV power 1a, b)
and also the row: Max. PV short circuit current 2)
1a) If more PV power is connected, the controller will limit input power.
1b) The PV voltage must exceed Vbat + 5 V for the controller to start. Thereafter the minimum PV voltage is Vbat + 1 V.
2) A PV array with a higher short circuit current may damage the controller
Thanks.
Thanks.
If using 12v battery, you'd need around 83A,
24V battery, ~42A
36V battery, ~28A
48V battery, ~21A
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