How to select and size a solar charge controller

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2022
  • Learn how to select and size a solar charge controller for your battery-integrated solar electric system. See how charge controllers work and explore the differences in PWM and MPPT controllers
    ⏱️Timestamps:
    0:06 Intro
    0:40 Why are charge controllers needed?
    1:05 --- Nominal battery voltage
    3:15 --- Battery charging stages
    4:12 Types of controllers
    4:21 --- PWM controllers
    5:43 --- MPPT controllers
    7:15 --- Comparing PWM & MPPT output
    8:10 --- Advantages of MPPT
    9:49 --- Additional Features
    10:28 Sizing a charge controller
    10:37 --- Max voltage input
    11:41 --- Min output current
    13:45 Other videos and resources
    For more information, visit: go.umd.edu/FarmSolar

ความคิดเห็น • 65

  • @robthomas3488
    @robthomas3488 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I wish I had a teacher like this, I instead am lucky TH-cam has guys like Drew doing videos. Good easy to understand info. Thanks and keep up the good work

  • @immanuelimmanuel4812
    @immanuelimmanuel4812 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I'm new to solar systems and i'm already loving your breakdowns

  • @malachygallagher4936
    @malachygallagher4936 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Hi Drew! Your videos are excellent!
    I am an installer in ireland & I have watched lots of videos but none as good as yours!
    I would have loved to have you as my teacher in my last life!
    Thanks mg.

  • @franmtt4461
    @franmtt4461 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    By miles the most comprehensive and still not too long to watch video! And I watched a lot

  • @citizengkar7824
    @citizengkar7824 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I have just found your channel. The 2 videos I have watched so far are easily the best presented, in both easy-to-understand language, as well as explanation.
    I bet you are an excellent teacher. Thanks. I can't understand why you don't have far more subs: well, you have one more 👍

  • @imnottellingyoumyname3050
    @imnottellingyoumyname3050 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wonderful video. Clearly explains a concept assuming the viewer knows nothing, which is great for people like me who indeed know nothing!
    Thanks so much for making this.

  • @Justin-ne2xo
    @Justin-ne2xo 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This should be the first video someone should see when setting up a solar system! Very easy to understand with the pictures provided. I wish I had found this a week ago.
    I bought muliple solar set ups for my farms water pumps without knowing anything about solar, and assumed theres nothing to it. I got very lucky that all of my panels, controllers, and wiring work together. 😅

  • @tysondundas1947
    @tysondundas1947 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you. This is the first video I've watched on the solar subject that whilst guiding us through the subject has not spoke at 100mph or assumed we already understand it all in full.

  • @chigozieogbonnaya8713
    @chigozieogbonnaya8713 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Your a good teacher in a clear way

  • @elizabethbigley1596
    @elizabethbigley1596 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Perfect thanks for breaking it down with your simple examples.

  • @vishaladityaganguly2889
    @vishaladityaganguly2889 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    One of the best videos that explains the difference between MPPT and PWM. This helped me a lot to understand. Thanks 🙏🏻👍🏻

  • @hinternsaubachel5109
    @hinternsaubachel5109 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome video. Very Informative. Thanks!

  • @mikect05
    @mikect05 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Awesome information! Thank you!

  • @joshuapitong899
    @joshuapitong899 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Amazing discussion. Thanks a lot Sir

  • @aaron092000
    @aaron092000 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for the info

  • @CollinBaillie
    @CollinBaillie ปีที่แล้ว

    Surely the amps during cold temperature adjustment isn't vital? The VoC I understand. The controller will only pass what current it can, and excess is bonus for poor production days.
    Amps would be an important consideration for cabling and fusing between panels and controller however.
    Thanks for your comprehensive video. I found the info I was looking for (those adjustment factors) 👍

  • @BenEdwards754
    @BenEdwards754 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great explaination. In another video, could you please explain specifying a battery charge Current. As if you have a 1kw pv array. You would surely not just charge 1 12v battery with it? thank you

  • @bawatechreview2168
    @bawatechreview2168 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A wonderful and an educative video I have been searching for.
    I have a question.
    If my solar panles are 420watts /36v connected in parallel to get 840watts\36v can I use a 60A mppt charge controller to charge a 12v 200a battery?

  • @gijbuis
    @gijbuis ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This video refers to charging a battery using DC. A PV panel produces DC but most existing PV systems use inverter(s) to convert the DC from the panels into AC for powering the electrical appliances in the home, such as lighting, electrical cookers, washing machines, heat pumps, etc. If you later then decide to add a battery to store surplus energy generated by your existing PV system during daylight hours you would probably install an AC-coupled battery. The AC current from the home network which goes into the battery will first of all have to be converted back into DC. I don't know if the DC would then go through a solar charge controller before it is stored in the battery? That is probably the case, but perhaps Drew should mention this?

  • @IesKorpershoek
    @IesKorpershoek 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just found this video, could you give some info on the MPPT charging controller that was shown in this video!!

  • @h2oboi531
    @h2oboi531 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for this, I have been trying to find more about this.
    My question is if I wanted to directly want to go from solar panels directly to using an appliance that is plugged into ac/wall plug. Do I go from solar panels linked to charge controller to inverter?
    Thank you and subscribed

  • @uroskovac2212
    @uroskovac2212 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have an 80W pannel, should I use 10A PWM regulator? If understood this correctly.

  • @dannykzx7360
    @dannykzx7360 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hy, can i connect a 18 A Solar pannel to a 16 A inverter? if i respect de voltage (voc) does the Amperage, in this case the the remain 2 A "remain in the air" or damages the inverter?

  • @zzbear317
    @zzbear317 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Have a rv with zamp connector and also have a small Bluetti power station. The rv has an 190W panel installed. I purchased a Rockpals 120W portable solar panel without a controller so I could use it with the Bluetti (for both emergencies at home and for camping). I've been researching getting a solar controller to mount inside the camper for the zamp "solar on the side" connector. The RV has 2 12v Lead Acid batteries, 88 amp hrs each.
    My questions are...
    The Panel is 18v, therefore 6.7A, so even if I buy a second, I could get by with a 15A controller. I want to mount the controller on a panel near the "solar on the side" connector, easily accessible. We boondock rarely, maybe a week or 2 a year, but I do have a 12v fridge and would prefer not using a gas generator. Don't think I need an MPPT for the limited usage, but have heard that PWM controllers may draw from the battery when not in use. Even if that's true, couldn't I just have a toggle switch or 12v breaker to disable the connection when not in use? I'm leaning toward an inexpensive PWM 15 to 30A controller. Any suggestions?

    • @keishadholmes9796
      @keishadholmes9796 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What will be the fasted way to charge a car battery using solar panels and how many watts of a solar panel do i need to fully charge a car battery ?

  • @zygmuntkuzminski8312
    @zygmuntkuzminski8312 ปีที่แล้ว

    Solar batteries have build in diode that prevent discharge at night not having charge controller-is that right?

  • @hughburton9021
    @hughburton9021 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Correct me if I’m wrong but i thought solar panels have a built in mechanism to stop reveres flow from battery. You’ve stated at least 2x there can be reverse flow back to panels,draining a battery without a controller.

  • @johndoe-uf9pu
    @johndoe-uf9pu ปีที่แล้ว +2

    maybe after I get a doctorate in electrical engineering I'll review this again. geez

  • @salutekiller300
    @salutekiller300 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have a 3w lights and 1 - 7V/1.5W small water pump which I want to purchase a solar pane and regulator .I have a 12v motorbike battery connected.how big solar panel and regulator do you think I need to run all of them?

  • @sumarianson
    @sumarianson 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Does the type of battery make a difference to the MPPT controller ( LiFe PO, Lead Acid, Lithium )? Do I have to buy a controller to suit the battery??

  • @christopheranderson8275
    @christopheranderson8275 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Question. Does it matter if your solar panels are in series or parallel coming into a MPPT charge controller that's connected to a 12 volt battery system as long as that voltage is within the specs of the controller? For example can I wire 2 solar panels in series to the controller and have that charge 2 batteries wired in parallel if that controller's input voltage is 24 volts?

  • @basilkasimi2646
    @basilkasimi2646 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    How many watts can Pwm 30A solar charge controller can handle at max? Can it handle 540 watt panel 12v or 460 watt panel 12v?

  • @rodneyalberta2020
    @rodneyalberta2020 ปีที่แล้ว

    i have solar panel built in pwm can i change it to mppt

  • @keishadholmes9796
    @keishadholmes9796 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What will be the fasted way to charge a car battery using solar panels and how many watts of a solar panel do i need to fully charge a car battery ?

  • @crazycrab8578
    @crazycrab8578 ปีที่แล้ว

    hears one, if I had a 13v zener diode, would that charge the batt, thats if my controller blow up on me, plus it would not discharge,

  • @jacobfirst2365
    @jacobfirst2365 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have 3 new 350w 12v panels what gauge wire and mppt do I need? Must it take a 1050w input? I have a solar controller that is 40amps but it only takes 550watt input and 1100watt at 24 volts. I'm confused I need a bigger controller?

  • @user-ky8kk7sw9y
    @user-ky8kk7sw9y 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Hi i have 30ah controller how many watts panel can I use

  • @WiSeNhEiMeR-1369
    @WiSeNhEiMeR-1369 ปีที่แล้ว

    HOWdy E-UME,
    Thanks
    COOP
    ...

  • @edsonmoralessantamaria5183
    @edsonmoralessantamaria5183 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    It is a really good video, amazing explanation, but I have a doubt, when you are calculating the current for the mppt controller in the first example, you divided 100w/12v, but you have 2 panels and in some internet pages, they sum the power of all the panels they have in the array, so you would have to use 200w instead of 100w, is that incorrect?

    • @sheldon_co0per
      @sheldon_co0per ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm wondering the same, should he not have put a ×2 in there?

    • @leesahcage3297
      @leesahcage3297 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      No the second example is using the panels in parallel so so the voltage is the same but the amps increase.

    • @LexMasita
      @LexMasita ปีที่แล้ว

      I am stumped on this too. At around 13 minutes into the video the panels appear to be in series and also since the division is in watts/voltage, it does not matter if it is in parallel or series since the overall power must double. Perhaps someone can clarify this.

    • @keishadholmes9796
      @keishadholmes9796 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What will be the fasted way to charge a car battery using solar panels and how many watts of a solar panel do i need to fully charge a car battery ?

  • @douglaswindsor120
    @douglaswindsor120 ปีที่แล้ว

    Unfortunately I bought a 30 amp Colman pwm solar charge controller I also have a smaller one that came with a Colman portable 75 watt solar panel I have also found out from RVER videos the proper charging parameters for sealed lead acid batteries confirmed by tearing apart and old black and decker booster pack with an inverter built in 12 volt battery is a no longer 12 volts but needs charging at 14.8 settling down to 14.4 and should be kept between 13.4 and 14.8 and anytime its discharged below 13.4 it reduces the life of the battery and below 12.2 it will severely decrease the life of the battery that's why booster packs usually have a one year life before the battery is dead they also don't charge them above 12 volts so sulphation starts immediately after they're built although the everstart booster pack charges to 13.1 it too will die in about a year but I did get an extra year properly charging it with a good charger through the booster cables

  • @rayberger2694
    @rayberger2694 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am not sure if I agree with you about your statement that without a charge controller your batter would loose its stored power back through the attached solar panel, Time stamp .45 seconds, I am pretty sure that most if not all solar panels have built in diodes that prevent this, Just look in that little black box on the back of each panel.

  • @yingjie3857
    @yingjie3857 ปีที่แล้ว

    for the calculation at 13:35, shouldn't the 1.21 factor be multiplied with 12V inside the bracket?

    • @LexMasita
      @LexMasita ปีที่แล้ว

      I believe in math, how you arrange the multiplications and divisions does not matter and the final calculations will always end up the same. But when you bring in additions and subtractions into the mix with multiplications and divisions, then bracketing and performing calculations based on that will have different results which is why in that case bracketing becomes important.

  • @markedtky
    @markedtky 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    0:59
    When the battery starts discharging into the solar panel where is that energy going?

  • @tcheko5095
    @tcheko5095 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I have 4 solar panel with 400 watt each.What is the best controller Am i can buy for my system?Thank you

    • @luckydubeinrc5165
      @luckydubeinrc5165 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      4x400w = 1600watt devide by voltage = amps so 24v = 66amps 48v = 33 amps 12v = 132 amps! so choose carefully

  • @Sam-hj5ok
    @Sam-hj5ok 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Since the panels are two, shouldn't the power be a total of 200W?

  • @SolarPunk80
    @SolarPunk80 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’m new to all this, but I thought it was interesting, and I probably misunderstood the concept, but I didn’t think that under any circumstances, regulated unregulated, that the batteries stored power would actually go anywhere much less through a specific exit channel such as at night or when not charging…. In my ignorance and curiosity, and letting my imagination do it’s thing, I can’t help but see that as a potential, automatic, nighttime heating or lighting source? Is this a thing in any way, is it really a useless trait or has it been refined by anyone/products at all?

  • @agbapaschal2514
    @agbapaschal2514 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    how can I increase my charging amp

  • @Seeykulatahy
    @Seeykulatahy 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Are batteries series or parallel? Please double check your drawings. That could be a typo.

  • @mooseunit2711
    @mooseunit2711 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I always thought that most solar panels came with diodes, preventing the discharge of a battery.

  • @sajjadchiniotielectricstor5239
    @sajjadchiniotielectricstor5239 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Assalamualaikum

  • @corkystephan5073
    @corkystephan5073 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I hate these idiots who stand there and trying to give us a big history lesson instead of getting straight to the details I paused this to put my piece in and now I’m out of here .

  • @laryangel4082
    @laryangel4082 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tt

  • @hayzersolar
    @hayzersolar 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    OMG this is so difficult i just have 1 200w panel this is why we dont get into solar. is there any short answer to this question without a math class.

  • @corkystephan5073
    @corkystephan5073 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    He has got the polarity wrong the polarity goes from negative to positive.

  • @RareAvoTrees
    @RareAvoTrees 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Did not like this not usefull in the real world telling what size to buy for a 18 panel array

  • @J-Ball
    @J-Ball 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Blah Blah Blah. Good grief.