solar

[Matt S]

I just bought   3   305W solar panels---what is the best brand of mppt charge controller and if I want to hook an inverter directly to the panels---what size or brand/type is best

 

[Weight]

No inverter to hook directly to panels. MorningStar is best reasonably priced charge controller.

 

[DannyB1954]

The yype of inverter that will hook up to a set of panels is called a grid tie inverter. They are not usually used on vehicles because their purpose is to synchronize the power created by the panels and inverter to match the power grid that feeds a house. The solar panels on a house feeds power back into the grid and your home uses power from the grid when necessary. There is no battery in this type of system as you are using the power utility as your battery.

 

[Seminole Wind]

wrong thread sorry

 

[tripper]

You need a battery for the initial surge when using the inverter, and to keep the amps up when a cloud or person walking by temp drops the solar output, any normal grp 24 or 27 will do. With full sunlight on the panels the solar output will run the inverter. From my experience, on a very hot summer day (100+) with a constant heavy load for hours I can get a consistent 650 watts out of the 915 watt total system using a prowatt 1000 inverter; the heat on the panels and the inverter getting hot really reduces efficiency. On very cold sunny days it can get up to 960 watts of output.

My personal opinion is the Victron controllers (smart controllers with built in Bluetooth, not the older non Bluetooth models) are far more advanced than any other manufacturers controller, small in size, stay cool, and their prices are good and I have had great success with their reliability (I own 4 of them). I happen to have a 150/85 hooked up to 3x305 watt panels right now.

 

[John61CT]

Yes Victron is great.

As are Morningstar, Outback, Blue Sky and Midnight Solar.

There is no "best".

At the low end, Victron is best **value** for sure.