we bought a 30amp pwm controller form another place, but it does not show battery state, does this one truly show it????? we need for a remote barn
489298
I bought one of these from someplace on Amazon. It does show volt level and it I believe it did show amps coming in from the panel.HOWever, I am sorry to report that this item quit all by itself in about a month. I called Amazon and they arranged for me to send it back and they refunded my credit card. I am now using a cheaper charge controller that at least works but no display other than lights.I really liked this item, but I need it to work properly and for a really long time.
489299
Yes it shows the battery voltage but mine displayed .3 volts low. This effected the charging function. I worked with the engerineering departed and we found a design error. I was refunded. My suggestion is to buy a MPPT30 it cost a little more ($80 from AMAZON) but so far the controller works well. It displays volts, Amps, hours of output, battery %. You can program the outputs just like Reorgy.
489300
This charge controller will show you the battery status through a bar indicator. If you follow this link to our manual it will show you exactly what it displays and you can judge to see if it suits your needs. http://renogy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PWM30LCD-Manual.pdf
752586
I had 4 on it it worked until I replaced it with a mppt controler. Look at the mppt controllers you can get up to 30 percent more power from the same pannels
1886952
This was a failed project for me, one of my 2 controllers died, There were times one of 2 lights worked. I might have my controller on one side of my 220 line and the sockets on the other side. What I can tell you is that manually turning the lights on with the switch in the garage, they don't come on. I think "Francois" has answered the question for us. If I saw his thoughtful answer before I started to respond, I might not have replied. Thank you Francois.
765123
I also wanted to add that battery tender makes quality products. In your searching for controllers you should also look for "solar light controllers" (an older form of simple 12v lighting controllers) you may be able to find some cheap from the big names like morningstar, xantrex etc. that make top notch solar electrical stuff.
649909
I need more information than you are supplying to help. In short 40 amp is about 400 watts give or take. I use this controller and have had very good results, however I chose to change my legacy system to 24 volt rather than stay 12 as it provides several advantages. By reducing the number of batteries in series it allows for a better electron flow assisting in keeping the batteries balanced. My Solar array consists of 3 250 watt 30 volt black panels I got from Amazon, they are in series feeding this controller. I have 8 390AH flooded 6 volt batteries, they are configured 4 in series with two banks of 24 volts in parallel. This configuration allows for a more even charge all my batteries are now testing at full charge. When I bought this place the previous owner had 6 batteries in a 12 volt configuration and I found that only 2 to four of the 6 were getting fully charged. The batteries at the negative end were absorbing properly but the farther down the battery array the batteries never fully charged. It also increased the amperage so I have now have more available power. I also have a 850 watt wind generator tied in parallel to my solar array running to this charge controller. Since I went to this configuration I have not run out of power once, making my bride happier. I can now run my welder and other power tools life is good. If you feel you truly need to add a second controller you simply parallel the output of the controllers together. Hope this helps.
1326813
I don't remember now, it's been a while. I did not have any problem. I drew a wiring diagram based on the circuit diagram that came with the controller.
34730
I have six 100 watt Renogy panels wired for 24 volts. The meter that came with this controller reads almost 40 volts. It varies from 30-40 volts depending on battery state of charge (I am using six deep cycle batteries...12v). It works great. Additionally, I have pulled 34 amps down from the high sun which equates to around 815 watts. My unit has NEVER shut itself off. When the batteries are fully charged it will still provide power to your accessories. I am using an DC-AC inverter...so, it really doesn't matter.
1969171
Yes- I have connected a 240w panel (30V @ 8amps) and also two 135w panels (total 35V @ 3.8amps each) and it works fine. The limiting factor that may cause the confusion is that the maximum output is 240watts (12V @ 20amps) if you are connected to 12V batteries. In my case, I was connected to a 24V battery bank and was dumping about 17amps at 26volts into the batteries when I had all panels connected (the 240W + 2x130w). For the money the controller works well. If you connect to 12V battery; 240w is maximum; if you connect to 24v battery you can get 480w. It doesn't support over 32 volts, so you can't use a 48V battery bank. Yes- I have connected a 240w panel (30V @ 8amps) and also two 135w panels (total 35V @ 3.8amps each) and it works fine. The limiting factor that may cause the confusion is that the maximum output is 240watts (12V @ 20amps) if you are connected to 12V batteries. In my case, I was connected to a 24V battery bank and was dumping about 17amps at 26volts into the batteries when I had all panels connected (the 240W + 2x130w). For the money the controller works well. If you connect to 12V battery; 240w is maximum; if you connect to 24v battery you can get 480w. It doesn't support over 32 volts, so... » Read More Yes- I have connected a 240w panel (30V @ 8amps) and also two 135w panels (total 35V @ 3.8amps each) and it works fine. The limiting factor that may cause the confusion is that the maximum output is 240watts (12V @ 20amps) if you are connected to 12V batteries. In my case, I was connected to a 24V battery bank and was dumping about 17amps at 26volts into the batteries when I had all panels connected (the 240W + 2x130w). For the money the controller works well. If you connect to 12V battery; 240w is maximum; if you connect to 24v battery you can get 480w. It doesn't support over 32 volts, so you can't use a 48V battery bank. « Show Less
2171698
I can only tell you what I did. I have a 400W inverter and a 12V car battery. I use this in my small horse barn that I wired for three bulbs and an outlet. There are 3 small watt bulbs. The panel keeps the battery at full charge with no problem. I don't use the electric all the time, and for only short periods when I do, so I don't know how long the charge will last.
1784691
You don't need a controller because this unit does not supply enough amps to overcharge a regular sized (car, boat, etc.) battery. If you test the voltage under no load it may scare you because it's too high, but if you apply ohm's law and understand that the current is limited by the capacity of the unit, you'll find that the voltage under load is only a couple of tenths of a volt higher than the battery in its disconnected state.
1283050
Just a note these controllers wont do zip when the input amps are below 15. The two Panels most likely will not enough to fire is up. DM 145 Watt panel crank out on;y 7.7 each amps on a good day. I Bought this CC and had an electrician (Who Wasnt Cheep) confirm this about the CC. Dont get me wrone thee CC will work but you will need to put three 124 watt panels on it. If you want a CC controller that will do the two with ease. Check out the HF CC 30 amp 500 watt CC by thunderbolt. Its about the same amout of cash on amazon. Good luck on your decision.PS If you go with this one the manual stinks. Learn chinese Just a note these controllers wont do zip when the input amps are below 15. The two Panels most likely will not enough to fire is up. DM 145 Watt panel crank out on;y 7.7 each amps on a good day. I Bought this CC and had an electrician (Who Wasnt Cheep) confirm this about the CC. Dont get me wrone thee CC will work but you will need to put three 124 watt panels on it. If you want a CC controller that will do the two with ease. Check out the HF CC 30 amp 500 watt CC by thunderbolt. Its about the same amout of cash on amazon. Good luck on your decision.PS If you go with this one the... » Read More Just a note these controllers wont do zip when the input amps are below 15. The two Panels most likely will not enough to fire is up. DM 145 Watt panel crank out on;y 7.7 each amps on a good day. I Bought this CC and had an electrician (Who Wasnt Cheep) confirm this about the CC. Dont get me wrone thee CC will work but you will need to put three 124 watt panels on it. If you want a CC controller that will do the two with ease. Check out the HF CC 30 amp 500 watt CC by thunderbolt. Its about the same amout of cash on amazon. Good luck on your decision.PS If you go with this one the manual stinks. Learn chinese « Show Less
705215
Yes, normal household outlet power, (115VAC 60Hz,) will work fine for this controller. That is precisely how I am using the one in my control system.
1998853
I really don't know. Is the controller putting out the proper voltage? Could be a defective controller. Are all batteries properly connected? Are you using the correct fuses? Best of luck!
707713
I don't believe you'll have a significant reduction in current unless you start talking hundreds of feet. The specs on this say it has 3 foot cables, but on mine the cables from the panel to the controller are 10 or 15 feet long. (Maybe they changed the cables, maybe they're talking about the cables that go from controller to battery, I'm not sure). The wires are made of copper, so resistance is low. You might have to splice cables together to make the distance, but as long as you do that correctly, it should work fine. Another option would be to solder your own longer cables directly to the panel, which I think would work better.
1969172
Yes- I have connected a 240w panel (30V @ 8amps) and also two 135w panels (total 35V @ 3.8amps each) and it works fine. The limiting factor that may cause the confusion is that the maximum output is 240watts (12V @ 20amps) if you are connected to 12V batteries. In my case, I was connected to a 24V battery bank and was dumping about 17amps at 26volts into the batteries when I had all panels connected (the 240W + 2x130w). For the money the controller works well. If you connect to 12V battery; 240w is maximum; if you connect to 24v battery you can get 480w. It doesn't support over 32 volts, so you can't use a 48V battery bank.
311604
The people who answered my question said that if you buy this the only thing you need is a battery (and an inverter if you are using DC power). Also, I looked at the "frequently bought together" section and it said that controller was for 12V use only. I'm new at this, so this is only from what I understand so far.
369108
PWM - if you look at the photo of the Controller is says PWM right on it. IF you watch the video, there is text saying the controller is PWM.....open your eyes.Thanks to jimtownmike's answer I've decided to buy my Go Power directly from a Dealer instead of through amazon.com BECAUSE, the Solar Controller is warranted for 3 years IF you buy directly from a Dealer. And the shipping is FREE. Only the panels are warranted for 25 years.