How to choose RV solar charge controller?

What is RV solar charge controller?

The full name of the RV solar charger controller is the solar charge and discharge controller. It is a smart solar charge controller used in a solar power generation system to control the multi-channel solar battery array to charge the battery and the battery to supply power to the solar inverter load. It regulates and controls the charging and discharging conditions of the battery, and controls the power output of the solar cell components and the battery to the load according to the power demand of the load. It is the core control part of the entire photovoltaic power supply system. The controller's charge control and load control voltages are fully adjustable and can display battery voltage, load voltage, solar array voltage, charge current and load current. Almost all solar power generation systems powered by batteries are in great need of a solar charge and discharge controller. The role of the solar charge and discharge controller is to regulate the power delivered from the solar panel to the battery. Battery overcharging, at least significantly reduces battery life, from damaging the battery at worst to the point where it cannot be used normally.

What’s the function of RV solar charge controller?

1. Power adjustment function;

2. Communication function: simple indication function or protocol communication function such as RS485 Ethernet, wireless and other forms of background management;

3. Perfect protection function: electrical protection for reverse polarity, short circuit, over-current and so on.

How to choose RV solar charge controller?

RV solar charge controller can be divided into two types, one is PWM charge controller, the other is MPPT charge controller. PWM charge controller is the second generation technology, which occupies the large part of the market for more affordable price. The working method is PWM control. Compared with ordinary solar controllers, it has improved a lot. It is 75-80%, but the solar panels are not fully utilized.

MPPT charge controller is the third generation technology, the most high-end solar controller. MPPT charge controller refers to a solar controller with the function of "Maximum Power Point Tracking" (Maximum Power Point Tracking). It is an upgraded product of PWM charge controller. Power (P=U*I), so that the system always charges the battery with the maximum power, the MPPT tracking efficiency is 99%, the power generation efficiency of the whole system is as high as 99%, and the battery has excellent management, divided into MPPT charging, constant Voltage average charging and constant voltage floating charging. With the advancement of technology and energy conservation, the trend of MPPT charge controller replacing traditional PWM charge controller is irreversible.

To conclude, if you are not care about efficiency, PWM charge controller is a good choice with a low price.