Hi all,
I plan to dig out my old 30a PWM controller and try connecting it to test this, but here is my experience:
On my old campervan, I had a 2000w converter/charger wired into onboard converter. I had three 100w panels mounted on roof, a 30a controller, and 200ah gel battery (actually two 6v wired in series). I could charge the batts by plugging into shore power with 30-amp connector, or into genny with 20a adapter.
I swapped out the 30a PWM controller for a 40a MPPT controller and saw the expected efficiency charging through panels. Charging with 30a shore power also worked fine. However, plugging into genny with 20a, my AC power in the van worked fine, but the batts would NOT charge.
I now have a new Winnegabo Solis pocket, with a 170w Zamp panel mounted on roof, a triple port that I plug additional panels into, a 40a Zamp MPPT controller, 200ah AGM batts. I am noticing similar behavior to old system with the MPPT controller: Panels work fine. Plugged in with 30a connection is fine, charges batts. Plugged into genny with 20a adapter does NOT charge batts. Just tested plugging into pedestal with 20a outlet/adapter. Batts do not charge, though again, AC outlets work fine.
Does MPPT controller prevent 20a connection from charging batts? If so, why would this be?
Please and thanks!
I plan to dig out my old 30a PWM controller and try connecting it to test this, but here is my experience:
On my old campervan, I had a 2000w converter/charger wired into onboard converter. I had three 100w panels mounted on roof, a 30a controller, and 200ah gel battery (actually two 6v wired in series). I could charge the batts by plugging into shore power with 30-amp connector, or into genny with 20a adapter.
I swapped out the 30a PWM controller for a 40a MPPT controller and saw the expected efficiency charging through panels. Charging with 30a shore power also worked fine. However, plugging into genny with 20a, my AC power in the van worked fine, but the batts would NOT charge.
I now have a new Winnegabo Solis pocket, with a 170w Zamp panel mounted on roof, a triple port that I plug additional panels into, a 40a Zamp MPPT controller, 200ah AGM batts. I am noticing similar behavior to old system with the MPPT controller: Panels work fine. Plugged in with 30a connection is fine, charges batts. Plugged into genny with 20a adapter does NOT charge batts. Just tested plugging into pedestal with 20a outlet/adapter. Batts do not charge, though again, AC outlets work fine.
Does MPPT controller prevent 20a connection from charging batts? If so, why would this be?
Please and thanks!
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