What size charge controller should I get?

What Size Charge Controller do I Need? Take the number of panels x watts to get the total watts of the solar array. You then divide it by the voltage of your battery bank to get amps, add 25\% to allow for cold temperatures and as always, round up.

What happens if you overload a solar panel?

Having your solar panel overload isn’t a bad thing though. In fact, you want the panel to be able to take on a greater amount of energy than what the inverter can handle. The worst that will happen is the panel stops working and slows down power dispersed throughout the system.

What size charge controller do I need for a 200w solar panel?

For example, if the solar panel is 200-watt and you want to charge a 12-volt battery, you would divide 200 by 12 to get 16.6 amps. Charge controllers are usually rated in multiples of 30 amps, so you’d get a charge controller rated for 30 amps (source).

How many amps does a solar charge controller use?

Solar charge controllers are rated and sized by the solar module array current and system voltage. Most common are 12, 24, and 48-volt controllers. Amperage ratings normally run from 1 amp to 80 amps, voltages from 6-600 volts.

Should I get a larger or smaller charge controller?

There is no problem going with a larger controller, other than the additional cost. This would allow you to expand the size of your system later on down the road if your load demands change or you find you need a little more power. Top: Schneider Electric’s Conext MPPT 60 150 Charge Controller

Why do I need a charge controller for my battery?

Batteries are almost always installed with a charge controller. The controller helps to protect the batteries from all kinds of issues, including overcharging, current leaking back to the solar panel during the night, the prevention of Undervoltage and it helps to monitor the status of the batteries. How do Charge Controllers work?

Can I use an MPPT charge controller with a solar module?

Because MPPT charge controllers can handle a higher input voltage from the solar module array than the battery bank’s voltage, you can also use these charge controllers with solar modules that have voltages that don’t match your typical system voltage (i.e. 12, 24 or 48V).