Solar Charge Controllers - MPPT & PWM

A solar charge controller regulates the voltage and current coming from your solar panels to your batteries, ensuring the batteries are charged properly and safely. It prevents overcharging, which can damage the batteries, and helps to extend their lifespan. Without a charge controller, your solar system could potentially overcharge or undercharge your batteries, leading to inefficiency or system failure.

There are two main types of solar charge controllers:

• PWM (Pulse Width Modulation): This type is typically more affordable and works by reducing the voltage from the solar panels to match the battery's charging requirements. It's best for smaller systems.
• MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking): This is a more advanced type of controller that optimizes the power output from the solar panels, offering higher efficiency, especially in larger systems. MPPT controllers adjust the panel’s output to match the battery's charging profile, maximizing energy harvest.

Read on MPPT VS PWM Charge Controller for more detailed information

LiTime solar charge controllers are compatible with a variety of battery types, including lithium (LiFePO4), AGM, Gel, and flooded lead-acid batteries. Ensure that your battery type is supported for optimal charging.

Some important features to consider when choosing a solar charge controller include:

• Battery type compatibility: Ensure the controller is compatible with your battery type (lead-acid, lithium, etc.).
• Current and voltage rating: Choose a controller that matches the output from your solar panels and is suitable for your battery bank.
• MPPT vs. PWM: Decide if you need an MPPT controller (for larger, more efficient systems) or a PWM controller (for smaller systems).
• Display/Monitoring: Some charge controllers come with digital displays or remote monitoring options to show the status of your battery and solar system in real-time.
• Temperature compensation: This feature adjusts charging parameters based on battery temperature, which is useful in hot or cold climates.
• Protection features: Look for protections against overcharge, over-discharge, reverse polarity, and short circuits.

Take the total watts of the solar array divided by the voltage of the battery bank. That will give you the output current of the soalr charge controller.

For example, a 1000W solar array ÷ 24V battery bank = 41.6A. The rating of the charge controller should be at least 40A.