Sompor will help you understand the difference between pwm or pulse width modulation and mppt or multi point power tracking charge controllers and when to use each.
Difference between pwm and mppt solar charge controller.
The crux of the difference is.
When choosing between a controller it is important to gauge the size of the system.
Mppt controllers have the capacity to handle more than pwm controllers and can go up to 80 amps and allow for more expansion within the system.
The pulse width modulation controller was the original charge controller used and are simpler and less expensive than mppt controllers.
Pwm controllers regulate the flow of energy to the battery by reducing the current gradually called pulse width modulation.
Before go further we want to go over a quick reminder of power calculations.
The pwm charge controller is a good low cost solution for small systems only when solar cell temperature is moderate to high between 45 c and 75 c.
The main drawback is that mppt charge controllers are much more expensive than pwm controllers.
While pwm is essentially a switch that connects a solar array to the battery the mppt is more sophisticated since it will adjust its input voltage to harvest the maximum power from the solar array and then transform this power to supply the varying voltage requirement of.
Mppt to fully exploit the potential of the mppt controller the array voltage should be substantially higher than the battery voltage.
For mppt charge controller and the utilization rate or the ability to turn solar into electricity of the module is about 90.
With a pwm charge controller used with 12v batteries the voltage from the solar panel to the charge controller typically has to be 18v.
Solar panels are rated by their actual output when connected to a load.
Bulk boost charge absorb charge float etc.
Pwm charge controller is usually cheaper while mppt costs more for.
Pulse width modulation charge controllers.
The pwm charge controller can be considered as an electric switch between the solar panel and battery packs.
With a pwm controller the current is drawn out of the panel at just above the battery voltage whereas.
The two main types of solar charge controllers are the pwm and the mppt.
The key difference between pwm and mppt are the price and efficiency.
Using an mppt controller allows much higher voltages in the cables from the panels to the solar charge controller.
Whereas mppt solar charge controller would be more effective if the weather is going to be cloudy rainy and you require flexibility within your system.
The difference between pwm and mppt solar charge controllers.
Ideally if your solar panel is smaller and to be installed in a low to the humid climatic region you can go for pwm solar charge controllers.