Hank the Tanks Dodgy battery and solar system

[merl]

Thanks but not sure how that would work as presumably the current panel only has one set of wires coming into the current controller. I don't think ill over complicate it at this stage. I think the one Trev linked to had outputs for both but again. Ill see how it performs as is with a second battery.

You just link the input to the 2nd controller from the 1st and connect your hab battery to the new controller output, then swap the cab battery wires into the old hab battery connection point. Not hard Baz.

 

[barryd]

You just link the input to the 2nd controller from the 1st and connect your hab battery to the new controller output, then swap the cab battery wires into the old hab battery connection point. Not hard Baz.

There would be no need to do anything with the cab battery wires though as they are already connected to the original controller. There are two sets of outputs. Battery 1 and battery 2. I suppose it would be straight forward, I'm just not convinced there would be much benefit and it adds another variable to the system which we are still not that familiar with.

 

[merl]

There would be no need to do anything with the cab battery wires though as they are already connected to the original controller. There are two sets of outputs. Battery 1 and battery 2.

You could well be correct with that notion Baz but IF the outputs is designated 'main' and the other is 'subordinate' then if you were using a single battery only then you'd typically connect that to the 'main' output and leave the subordinate unconnected, so that's why I suggested swapping it over
Yeh, I get the feeling you're not convinced re going MPPT but your existing PWM really is the weak link in the chain, swapping to MPPT is an easy way to get an extra 20% ish more solar and Trevs favourite Votronic is excellent for sure but I just thought I'd show you a very cheap way of achieving much the same outcome.

 

[barryd]

You could well be correct with that notion Baz but IF the outputs is designated 'main' and the other is 'subordinate' then if you were using a single battery only then you'd typically connect that to the 'main' output and leave the subordinate unconnected, so that's why I suggested swapping it over
Yeh, I get the feeling you're not convinced re going MPPT but your existing PWM really is the weak link in the chain, swapping to MPPT is an easy way to get an extra 20% ish more solar and Trevs favourite Votronic is excellent for sure but I just thought I'd show you a very cheap way of achieving much the same outcome.

Im not sure they are. I don't think its that clever. Just battery 1 and battery 2. I guess the cab battery never takes much as its rarely used apart from the time we had the Glastonbury stream linked up to the cab stereo . I was always absolutely convinced MPPT was the best when I had my old one that Kev put up earlier with the screen and all the info on it. I loved it. This one though charges pretty quick though and seemed on a par with my old one but the main issue was holding onto that power when there was no solar. Maybe an MPPT might have made a difference then I dont know. If I was going to change it I would rather get one that just charged both batteries rather than stick two up there.

I googled it and AI Google came up with this.

No, MPPT controllers are not always better than PWM controllers. Both Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) controllers are effective at charging batteries and preventing damage, but they work best in different conditions. When choosing between the two, you should consider factors like:

• System size
  MPPT controllers are better for larger solar systems, while PWM controllers are better for smaller systems.
  
  
  
• Climate
  PWM controllers work best in strong sunshine, while MPPT controllers can provide more power in colder temperatures.
  
  
  
• Budget
  MPPT controllers are generally more expensive than PWM controllers.
  
  
  
• System complexity
  The complexity of your system and any extra features you need can help determine which controller is best.

 

[Nabsim]

I would have said PWM on big installations like solar farms, house roofs etc, MPPT on vans, boats.

Not sure if its the same now but big solar always used to use PWM