Monday, Jan 14, 2013 at 10:53
Agreed. There are traps for the unwary by considering only the open circuit voltage capability of the regulator.
"You are looking for a MPPT ( maximum power point tracking) regulator that specificaly specifies it will charge 12 volt batteries from a 24 volt source.
They do exist and will do the job
well...but not all MPPT regs will cope with the 24 volt pannels"
To make that perfectly clear (no disrespect, Bantam) perhaps that second sentence could read
"They do exist and will do the job
well...but not all MPPT regs CONNECTED TO A 12V SYSTEM will cope with the 24 volt pannels".
This regulator will accept panels up to 65V open circuit. In our caravan owners club there was some discussion about whether or not you could series up or use any panels to a max of 65V on that reg to charge a 12V system. A member asked Jaycar, who consulted the manufacturer and the answer was NO. You cannot mix and match. It is strictly 12V panels for a 12V system and 24V panels for a 24V system. I don't understand why, but that was the answer.
Subsequent investigations revealed it is a common restriction.
If you're looking for one of the exceptions, I have had excellent results with the Aussie-made GSL MPPT 30-2. It will take almost any panels in any series, parallel or series-parallel arrangement up to 95V and charge 12, 24 or 48 volt systems. See page 5
of this document.
(No connection, etc. Just a very satisfied user.)
Cheers
FollowupID:
778961