Solar Charge Controllers

Do I need a solar charge controller?

A solar charge controller is needed to safely charge your 12V battery using solar panles by regulating voltage and stopping overcharge that can damag your battery. When you’re out camping, It’s extremely handy to have a 12V solar panel to power your auxiliary battery and 12V appliances on the go. However, you’ll also need a solar charge controller to effectively & safely charge your battery with solar power. Due to a number of factors, the voltage that solar panels provide will fluctuate - which can easily overcharge and damage your battery if linked directly. This is why a solar controller is needed.

What does a solar regulator do?

A solar controller acts as a buffer by turning incoming voltage into safe & manageable levels of charge. The average 12V solar panel can produce up to 18 volts in the right conditions, which would overcharge and damage a battery if transferred directly into the battery. Solar regulators are installed in line between your solar panel and battery, and are essential for any solar system setup to maintain voltage levels and prevent any damage to your battery.

MPPT vs PWM Solar Charge Controller

There are two main types of solar controllers you can buy for your 12V system. These regulators are both used widely, can last for years, and work great. Learn the differece between PWM and MPPT solar charge controllers below:

PWM Solar Charge Controller (Pulse Width Modulation) 

With a PWM solar regulator, the current is drawn out of the panel at just above the battery voltage. Although not as efficient as an MPPT charge controller, a PWM regulator is still a great low-cost option that will work great for smaller systems and for when the efficiency of the system is not critical.

MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Maximum Power Point Tracking) 

With an MPPT solar charge controller, the current is drawn out of the panel at the panels ‘Maximum Power Voltage’ which in most cases is a lot higher than the battery voltage. MPPT controllers are more efficient than PWM controllers, and are best for larger systems & when the solar voltage maximum is much higher than the battery voltage. KickAss products have hihgly efficient MPPT charge Controlers at both 20 amp and 40 amp to suit your 12V solar setup.

How do I choose the right solar panel regulator?

When you’re choosing your solar panel controller, you’ll need to determine the size of the regulator required for your panels. This calculation is different for PWM & MPPT solar charge controllers.

- For MPPT regulators, you can do this by getting the combined wattage of your solar system, and dividing it by your battery charge voltage - which is usually 14.4 for a 12v system. This will give you the minimum size charge controller you will need.

- For PWM controllers, you’ll need to get your combined wattage of your solar system, and divide this by the max power voltage of your solar system, which is 18v for a 12v panel.

What MPPT solar charge controller do I need for my system?
 

Example 1.
 

- 200W Solar Panel

- 12V 120ah AGM battery

Combined Wattage of solar system / Battery Charge Voltage = Maximum Current (A)

200 / 14.4 = 13.88

You’ll need a MPPT charge controller that is at least 14amps, such as our 20amp MPPT solar regulator.

Example 2.
 

 - 2 x 150W Solar Panels

- 12V 170ah AGM battery

Combined Wattage of solar system / Battery Charge Voltage = Maximum Current (A)

300 / 14.4 = 20.83

You’ll need a MPPT charge controller that is at least 21 amps, such as our 40amp MPPT solar regulator.

What PWM Solar Regulator do I need for my system?

Example 1
 

- 200W Solar Panel

- 12V 120ah AGM battery

Combined Wattage of solar system / Max Power Voltage of solar system = Maximum Current (A)

200 / 18V = 11.11

You’ll need a PWM controller that is at least 12 amps.

Example 2
 

- 300W Solar Panel

- 12V 170ah AGM battery

Combined Wattage of solar system / Max Power Voltage of solar system = Maximum Current (A)

300 / 18V = 16.66

You’ll need a PWM controller that is at least 17 amps.

When choosing which solar regulator to buy, you should also factor in whether you want to upgrade your solar system in the future. You may only require a 20 amp MPPT solar controller for your 200W solar panel, but if you want to upgrade your system to a 300W panel in the future it would save you buying a whole new MPPT regulator if you just bought the larger one in the first place.

Why buy a 12V solar regulator from KickAss?

At KickAss, we’ve been working with 12 volt gear for over 12 years, so we understand the difference between good and bad products. We’ve worked with many different suppliers and manufacturers, and built connections with some of the best partners within the industry. Because of our experience and connections within the industry, we’re able to provide the best quality solar regulators and 12V products at very competitive prices. We also have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to 12 volt gear, so we can answer your questions aboutany charge controllers or related products.