Charge controller for AGM Battery

[xyxoxy]

I tried to search for threads on this but apparently "AGM" is too short or too common a term. And searching "Controller" shows almost every thread.

So I'm wondering if anyone has experience/recommendations on an affordable charge controller that has a setting for AGM batteries. I know "affordable" is a relative term but this is a small system and a 10Amp / 12V controller should do nicely. I just want to protect my AGM's without breaking the bank. If it is MPPT all the better.

[Mike90250]

Morningstar SunSaver 15 Amp MPPT
has jumper and switches for 4 battery types, including AGM
Major name brand, trusted. You don't worry about it like the $30 version from ebay.

if it's too pricey at $250, you can hunt through the rest of the Morningstar line, or others, and view the manuals, before you buy.

If your solar panel Vpmax is under 20v or so, you don't NEED a MPPT, but the old school PWM will work well too. If your PV Vpmax is over 20V, you will see increased performance with MPPT.

I own the sunsaver MPPT, and have found no fault with it over the last 2 years. And I can expand up to 24V with it too

[xyxoxy]

Very helpful links... thank you.
The spec sheets are great.

Some of them say "Sealed/Flooded" battery select. I know that gel and AGM batteries are both sealed but they need to be charged differently. Do they use the term "sealed' to mean AGM or should the spec sheet specifically say "AGM" ?

[Mike90250]

you wil have to read the individual manuals for each, to be sure. If the only choice is sealed/flooded, it's often just a switch to disable the EQ cycle for sealed

[Sunking]

Some of them say "Sealed/Flooded" battery select. I know that gel and AGM batteries are both sealed but they need to be charged differently. Do they use the term "sealed' to mean AGM or should the spec sheet specifically say "AGM" ?

Sealed batteries cover a wide range which include AGM. Gel, and some flooded lead acid so called maintenance free batteries.

As a general rule of thumb

• Flooded Lead acid are constant current charged at the C/10 rate until they reach 2.45 Vpc.
• Gel are constant current charged at the C/20 until they reach 2.35 Vpc.
• AGM are constant current charged at as high as C/5 until they reach 2.35 Vpc

As always consult your battery manufacture for exact charging algorithm currents, and voltages as chemistry will alter from one manufacture to another.

[john p]

Sunking .Sealed batteries cover a wide range which include AGM. Gel, and some flooded lead acid so called maintenance free batteries.When I said some time ago that flooded lead acid batteries can be sealed you wouldnt agree .

[Sunking]

When I said some time ago that flooded lead acid batteries can be sealed you wouldnt agree .

John what I think I said is you will not find deep cycle FLA sealed up. The only FLA I see sealed are car and truck batteries. But if I said or implied otherwise my Bad.