Is this a legitimate MPPT Charge Controller?

[goombah111]

High voltage can't do anything for you if it can't provide current. In low light the voltage will only be high if there is no load on the panel. Current capability rises with more sun exposure.

what is load on a solar panel? The panel "charges" my batteries until the sun is basically gone but the amps go way down in low sun to the point where it might as well not be charging at all. I imagine it's wishful thinking to assume you can get more total watts with the same sun but i'm a dreamer.

If the controller ever puts out more current than the panels input, it is transforming
the power and most likely MPPT. Bruce Roe

Right, wondering if this will actually do that to any extent. Ended up getting an epever but still curious about this T20. It has an inductor unlike the other fakes by this brand. If I had more money I would buy it just to see.

[bcroe]

If the controller ever puts out more current than the panels input, it is transforming
the power and most likely MPPT. Bruce Roe

[sdold]

High voltage can't do anything for you if it can't provide current. In low light the voltage will only be high if there is no load on the panel. Current capability rises with more sun exposure.

A simple way to describe PWM vs MPPT is that PWM puts whatever current the panel is capable of into the battery, and the MPPT puts whatever power the panel is capable of into the battery.

See if this video helps. Amy used to be an active member here but I haven't seen her in a while. I thought her contributions were pretty good.

https://www.altestore.com/diy-solar-...e-controllers/

[goombah111]

I got an Epever 20a MPPT controller for 63$, will it convert volts to amps?

PWM takes high volts and converts to amps? I thought it didnt?

another question that brings up, my panels get full volts in super low sun but need full sun to get max amps. Sounds like high volts is the most effective route in this case, any issues with that theory?

[SunEagle]

Type CC?

Is this an MPPT?

image.png


It has an inductor but I can't find much info about it.

Does MPPT mean it converts Volts to Amps? I need a 46v panel to work with 12v setup without losing all those watts. I'm okay losing some efficiency.

Type CC = charge controller.

As Mike indicates most true MPPT type CC's are not cheap. And all CC's really don't convert volts to amps.

Although a true MPPT will use all of the WATTS coming in and convert them to amps and send them to the battery for charging. While a PWM CC will convert the amount of AMPS that the panels are rated for and send them to the battery. So if the panels are rated more than 17V DC then you lose about 33% of the amps going to the battery.

I got the two types of CC's mixed up and have corrected my post.

Simple rule of thumb: MPPT is Watts in = Watts out, and PWM is Amps in = Amps out.

[Mike90250]

the $64 controller does not appear to be a real MPPT controller . Sorry.

[goombah111]

Nope. It is not an MPPT type CC

Type CC?

Is this an MPPT?

image.png


It has an inductor but I can't find much info about it.

Does MPPT mean it converts Volts to Amps? I need a 46v panel to work with 12v setup without losing all those watts. I'm okay losing some efficiency.

[SunEagle]

Nope. It is not an MPPT type CC

[goombah111]

image.png






EDIT: I found that it PROBABLY ISN'T! AVOID!!!