I'm looking to build a small "ammo can" battery box; max 2/100 watt panels and sealed lead acid batteries that will fit in the can. Any favorite cheap PWM charge controllers you like? I was thinking about 20-30 amps. I have been looking at that little blue unbranded unit that shows up everywhere on Amazon and Walmart ... for $15 will it blow up my panels or batteries?
Favorite cheap charge controller
- Thread starter TomTilly
- Start date
It won't blow anything. The question is will it even charge your batteries. I tried a few of these with no luck at all early on. For 15 bucks though it is worth a shot.
Not too much discussion of PWM controllers here, I have no input, and personally am not and have never considered PWM, but I'm curious to learn what brands/models are trusted, and if there is much variation between low and high quality PWM controllers.
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Bob142
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I've got a couple of the cheap 10A Renogy Wanderers that I use for landscape lighting and other little tinkering projects. The only reason I bought those those over the no-names is that I got a free Bluetooth dongle from one of the other forum members and it is compatible even with the little PWMs. That lets me use Renogy's app to monitor them. Other than that I suspect all of the under-$20 PWMs are basically the same.
This is a bit off-topic, but the coolest PWM I've seen on the market is this one (but it's not cheap at $88):
Midnite Solar Brat 30A PWM Solar Charge Controller
Midnite Solar's Brat is a finely-tuned solar PWM Charge Controller. It's a 20A charger with 10A load control, and 30A charger without load control. MNBRAT
www.altestore.com
Bob142
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Sure would. I just really like the enclosure and the reputation of the company.
Yeah, that enclosure looks real robust, and its IP55 rated.
I've also heard good things about Bogart Engineering controllers.
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