Solar Charge Controllers
Over the years I have had numerous manufacturers send me boxes of various charge controllers and I have found them to be complete junk, over-priced or missing key features. This is a scary problem because if a solar charge controller fails, your vehicle can be burned to ashes. Due to faulty quality control issues, cheap materials and bad designs, many solar charge controllers are a danger to use.
The Solar Epic Tracer MPPT Solar Charge Controller is what I love the most. It has the best features at a great price, and will last you for years. I have tried all of the popular charge controllers and this is the only one I use now because it has everything I need.
Key features:
You will love this controller but you must buy the usb cable/thermometer/mt-50 screen if you want full functionality. Also, download the manual on the manufacturers website: Click here to see the manual
The Solar Epic Tracer MPPT Solar Charge Controller is what I love the most. It has the best features at a great price, and will last you for years. I have tried all of the popular charge controllers and this is the only one I use now because it has everything I need.
Key features:
- It is a true MPPT Controller which will deliver 99% efficiency
- Can be used for over-paneling (which means you can add more panels than what it is rated for). This feature is very hard to find
- Temperature Compensation- This increases the life of your batteries
- Manual charge profiles (charge any type of battery). Lithium, sealed, gel, flooded etc.
- Large and strong input terminal that can accommodate large wire gauges (very hard to find)
- Great reviews and super cheap! I have not found a better alternative (please let me know if you do)
- I use this controller to manually charge my tesla battery. Works great!
You will love this controller but you must buy the usb cable/thermometer/mt-50 screen if you want full functionality. Also, download the manual on the manufacturers website: Click here to see the manual
40 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
(My current favorite)
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Max. Solar Input Power:
520W (12V battery) 1040W (24V battery) This charger has over-current protection which means that the figures above can be doubled! It will simply output only 40 amps, even if it is producing 60 amps. 40 Amp MPPT Charge Controller kit: Click Here for a cheap price If the link above is out of stock, you can buy the same controller here: Alternative Option 1 Click Here Alternative Option 2 Click Here |
20 Amp Solar Charge Controller
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Max. Solar Input Power:
260W (12V battery) 520W (24V battery) This charger has over-current protection which means that the figures above can be doubled! 20 Amp MPPT Charge Controller: Click Here |
10 amp Solar Charge Controller
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Max. Solar Input Power:
130W (12V battery) 260W (24V battery) This charger has over-current protection which means that the figures above can be doubled! 10 Amp MPPT Charge Controller: Click Here |
Accessories
If you buy the 40 amp solar charge controller above, it will come with all required accessories. If you buy the 10/20 amp charge controller, you will need to buy them separate. These accessories are in my opinion, required. They take less than a minute to install (you just need to plug them into the solar charge controller) and will expand the functionality and ease of use instantly. I cannot recommend them more!
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MT-50 Display Interface: This will allow you to change most settings on the solar charge controller such as battery type, size and load settings. The most useful feature of this screen is that it shows real time information of your solar charge controller such as total power being generated by your solar panels and how much power is charging the battery. There are many other features of this screen and I see it as a requirement to have if you use the solar charge controllers above.
Buy the MT-50 by clicking here |
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Battery Temperature Sensing Unit: This will allow the solar charge controller to determine a safe charging rate considering the temperature of the batteries. If you want your batteries to last a long time or wish for your system to work at a high efficiency, you will need this!
USB Interface Cable: This will allow the charge controller to connect to your computer. This will allow you to see how much power your system has generated over the course of weeks to years. You can also manually change any setting, which is especially useful when using a custom battery. If you have a lithium battery, you will need to input the safe charging voltage here. The hardest aspect of using this usb cable is downloading the software and drivers. It can be difficult and you must open the file that comes with the sofware and follow all of the instructions (there is a special setting in your computer that you must change before your charge controller can communicate with your computer. Just read the instructions and you will be good to go). Click here to buy both for a cheap price |