Thanks. I'm really struggling with the issue of buying an MPPT contoller for more money and getting 10-30% better performance.....or buying a much less expensive non-MPPT controller and hoping it will perform good enough.
The nice thing about the MMPT controller is the fact it works best on cloudy winter days.....just the time when you would need the most performance.
The expensive route is to buy an MMPT controller and a brand name (like Sharp) panel. I'm really on the fence about which way to go.
To make matters worse....there is a dual battery controller that will charge the "house" battery and the starting battery.... Morningstar Sunsaver Duo with Remote Meter for $145.....which sounds really cool as you can choose what type batteries you have, and what percent to devote to the "house" battery and the starting battery (dip switches).....but the downside is that this is a non-MPPT controller:
http://www.solarblvd...oduct_info.html
I guess the real question is how important is the MPPT feature. Opinions????
I've decided that when I go solar, I'm going MPPT. You can get a smaller panel and the same performance, which saves weight and partially or wholly pays for the MPPT cost. In sum, less weight, same performance, half the difference more (if the MPPT is an extra $150, but the panel is $75 less, they MPPT is only $75 more for the same performance).
Brand name vs generic: tough call. Haven't decided myself yet either. One person posted their generic is great. Barko will let us know his experience soon enough. I'm seeing some evidence that generic is just as good. In many technologies (like PCs), the brand is an attempt to maintain margin in a commodity business as performance and quality are about equal while prices fall hard.
Not sure I see the need for charging the starter battery at all. Are you drawing off it except to start the truck?
