PWM Charge Controller

PWM solar charge controllers are the standard type of charge controller available. They are simpler than MPPT controllers, and thus generally less expensive. PWM controllers work by slowly reducing the amount of power going into your battery as it approaches capacity. When your battery is full, PWM controllers maintain a state of “trickle”, which means they supply a tiny amount of power constantly to keep the battery topped off.

With a PWM controller, your solar panel system and your home battery need to have matching voltages. In larger solar panel systems designed to power your whole home, panel and battery voltage aren’t typically the same. As a result, PWM controllers are more suited for small DIY solar systems with a couple of low voltage panels and a small battery.

MPPT Charge Controller

MPPT solar charge controllers are a more expensive and complex charge controller option. They provide the same switch-like protection that a PWM controller does, and will reduce the power flowing to your home battery as it nears capacity.

Unlike PWM controllers, MPPT charge controllers can pair non-matching voltages from panels and batteries. MPPT controllers adjust their input to bring in the maximum power possible from your solar array, and can also vary their output power to match the attached battery. This means that MPPT charge controllers are more efficient than PWM controllers, and more effectively utilize the full power of your solar panels to charge a home battery system.battery.

Features of Our Charge Controllers

  • Draws the Maximum Power available from the solar panel.
  • Properly controls the variation from the solar panel.
  • Saves your money in any type of damage caused by voltage fluctuations to your equipment.
  • Battery reverse polarity, over-charge and overdischarge protections.
  • System over-temperature and ambient light detection capabilities.
  • 94% efficiency in 12-V systems and 96% efficiency in 24-V systems.

Confused ??? Don't Worry. We are Here to Help You

If you are installing a small off-grid solar energy system with battery backup, you might need to look into a charge controller to ensure that your battery is safely charged. For relatively small batteries paired with low-output 5-10 Watt solar panels, a PWM charge controller should do the job. For more complex solar projects with higher output panels, you may want to consider a MPPT charge controller.

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