diy solar

diy solar

What controller to charge battery first

5thElefant

New Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2022
Messages
2
I've built a couple of cheap and simple DIY solar systems. One running pumps and fans in a greenhouse, another running an automatic door in a hen house.

I'm going to build a 24' dome greenhouse this year and want solar power again.

This time I want the system to charge the batteries first.
The batteries will only run pumps, solenoid valves and linear actuators for windows (a few minutes a day).
Once the batteries are charged I want to then use the solar power to run fans.
If there is no power to run the fans then that doesn't matter as the fans won't be needed.

This may be a normal requirement, but the cheap controllers I've used to date don't appear to do this.
So... can someone point me at controllers that can be configured to make excess power available on one circuit and battery power on another?
 
I believe that Victron charge controllers have a loads output that could possibly be configured for this.
 
Another option is to use a battery monitor that has a relay for controlling loads according to SOC.
 
Thanks, I'll check out Victron.

A battery monitor circuit is a good idea. I've used those in other applications but it didn't occur to me for this.
That would be a good plan B.
 
Back
Top