Is this solar panel wired correctly?

[Mike90250]

We have worked out I have been sold a 24v 200w solar panel ......
If I now purchase an MPPT regulator, will this be suitable for charging my 12v battery?

Here is the regulator I am looking at:

http://www.gsl.com.au/products/solar_regulators.html#product1

Model: MPPT12-1

Capable of 12A and my Isc of 7A, I believe it should be suitable?

Any input, as always, would be greatly appreciated!

I've never seen/heard of that before, so I have no idea if they are as good as they claim. Use a vendor that will refund if it does not work, or carries another line of controllers also. For this use, I'd look at the Morningstar 15A MPPT. I know them to be good. I don't know how the price compares, your GSL link has no price info.

Also, I'd look closely at the GSL output power spec: 200W at 29V | 150W at 14.5V

[rossco]

Hi Mike90250,

I've had look at the morningstar mppt controller but it's $300 compared to $140 for the GSL controller.

The spec does concern me in relation the 150w limit at 12v. Is that 150w limit on 12v input or output of 12v? I have emailed the supplier and asked the question too.

The panel will oly be used for camping trips at the moment. I had planned to purchase a 'proper' 12v panel to replace the dodgy one I received, but now hoping that with a suitable mppt controller, I can utilise the panel got.

I am also running out of time as leave on 3 week camping trip on 16th Dec!

[Mike90250]

GSL output power spec: 200W at 29V | 150W at 14.5V

The output power is what limits MPPT controllers, at a certain point the buck/boost transformer saturates, and you can't get more power without a larger transformer. And the active parts (Transistors/FET stages), but mostly, it transformer core.

I'm saying I KNOW the Morningstar, is the least expensive, real MPPT out there.
Other known good ones are
Rogue http://www.roguepowertech.com/products/mpt3024.htm
Blue Sky http://blueskyenergyinc.com/
Outback
Xantrex
and I've heard 3rd hand, Steca is likely OK too.
Many others, are simply rip-offs, either with bad MPPT algorithms, or some unscrupulous person places a MPPT sticker over a PWM controller label. One fellow, while testing, found a straight piece of wire (no controller at all) worked better than the PoS he was sold. Many people cannot test to confirm, how a controller is performing.
So your choice is buy the GSL, which is totally unknown to me, or buy a known good one.

[rossco]

Conclusion

Just a quick update and thanks to all the people who replied.

I have ordered the Morningstar 15a and it should be here early next week.

Managed to fit the panel on top of the toolbox of camper trailer.

All cable ran and currently testing on a Juta CM3024Z controller (ordered before all issues with panel). Getting 5.0A in peak sunlight and providing sufficient amps input to battery to run the Evakool 70l fridge.

Hopefully the mppt controller will increase the amps and give me a little extra to play with. The testing has been over last 2 days which have had good sunlight.

Thanks everyone for their help and look forward to utilising the suns power on our upcoming camper trip!

Cheers,

Ross

[Boater]

Wish i had known

Just a quick update and thanks to all the people who replied.

I have ordered the Morningstar 15a and it should be here early next week.

Managed to fit the panel on top of the toolbox of camper trailer.

All cable ran and currently testing on a Juta CM3024Z controller (ordered before all issues with panel). Getting 5.0A in peak sunlight and providing sufficient amps input to battery to run the Evakool 70l fridge.

Hopefully the mppt controller will increase the amps and give me a little extra to play with. The testing has been over last 2 days which have had good sunlight.

Thanks everyone for their help and look forward to utilising the suns power on our upcoming camper trip!

Cheers,

Ross

Bought something similar and was just looking for waysmto rewire the panel. Glad yours worked. Will look at the pics. Cheers