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Solar Controller
Having been an electrician for 50 years, I thought installing solar on our 24' Nash bumper pull would be simple. Boy, have I been schooled in a rough manner?
First off, since I was installing solar (24 panels) in my garage, I would just get two extra panels for me and my daughter's 5th wheel. That all went well, as I found an adjustable brackets that fit the contours of the roof. We installed a DC beaker immediately below the roof after we came down inside.
Since I bought the $180 controller that the RV dealer recommended several months before I got my panels I didn't know how the voltages would match. Well the controller immediately went into alarm.!!!
The controller can only handle 26 volts and my residential panel puts out 39 Volts. The two just won't play together. I covered up most of the panel temporary to get the voltage down.
I then ordered some $20 dollar controllers that could handle the voltage but it will only allow about 4 amps charging current and only goes up to 12.4 volts.
I hooked up the inverter I got and it works great for a short time till the batteries drop to 11.5. volts then it shuts off and goes into alarm. I am appalled at the junk Amazon and Ebay will allow to be sold without ever checking the accuracy of their specs. One of the controllers stated they were 100 amp and you can't fit a toothpick into the terminal and need a micro screwdriver to tighten it.
(MOD EDIT)
I have a larger Litime 30 amp MPPT controller on the way that has a beefy build and metal cooling fins. I will report how it works out When I get it installed.
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Linear Mode
