Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Tech Forums > Maintenance and Repair
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-19-2021, 10:58 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
New Solar Controller, best one?

I have been looking at 30AMP solar controllers and I find they range from $26.00 to $150.00. I am adding an additional 100W solar panel and two more batteries.

So can anyone tell me a good brand that will work without giving me problems.

It is going into my 2021 Magnitude XG32 that comes with a 10AMP controller.

I only want to do this one time.

__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2021, 11:04 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,769
THOR #20289
Renogy and Victron make good MPPT controllers.

David
__________________
DavidEM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2021, 11:49 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Brand: DRV
Model: Mobile Suites 36RSB3
State: Florida
Posts: 271
THOR #17449
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM View Post
Renogy and Victron make good MPPT controllers.

David
Two of the better ones out there
__________________
GTM41261 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2021, 11:53 PM   #4
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Does Zamp also make controllers?
__________________
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 12:21 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
ducksface's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,735
THOR #13932
My xantrex allowed for custom setups regarding solar input vs battery pull vs inverter vs shore power.(on a now sold vehicle]
Lots of info provided on its screen.

https://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-84-20...ntroll&sr=8-22

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LR...rb_top?ie=UTF8
__________________
Below is a link to most of my modifications either accomplished or pending.
https://www.thorforums.com/forums/f2...n-18996-3.html

Click on my pictures then click the pop-up for a full screen zoomable picture.
ducksface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 12:32 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,769
THOR #20289
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Does Zamp also make controllers?
Yes they do, but they are PWM types. These work ok on 12V panels but you lose about 15% of available power due to the PWM workings. MPPT types use about 98% of available power. And if you wire two panels in series to limit voltage drop, you absolutely have to use an MPPT type.

David
__________________
DavidEM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 04:19 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM View Post
Yes they do, but they are PWM types. These work ok on 12V panels but you lose about 15% of available power due to the PWM workings. MPPT types use about 98% of available power. And if you wire two panels in series to limit voltage drop, you absolutely have to use an MPPT type.

David
I noticed that the MPPT units cost more. I am not concerned about that. I just want it to work and not be a problem. So based on your recommendation I will buy that one. I don't know what the difference between the PWM and the MPPT. I will add a 100w solar panel to the existing 100w, and add 2 batteries. I was told in an earlier post that I should use 30A controller. So that is what I am going to do. Just have to find the right controller and get it ordered.
__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 06:52 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
Quote:
Originally Posted by GTM41261 View Post
Two of the better ones out there
Well I settled on an EPever 20amp MPPT controller on Amazon, It had decent ratings. Sadly the Renogy had a lot of out-of-the box failures. The reviews were pretty bad. The EPever also looked easier to use and a lot of features. I will add the other solar panel and this controller and two more batteries. Since it is already solar equipped it should just wire and play. Keeping my fingers crossed. My current controller doesn't have an AC output meter, so I read that I just ignore the wire connectors for that.

The big warning was, install battery wires before the solar panels, or it will be ruined. That was for any brand.
__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 11:32 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Judge's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,139
THOR #12751
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTRvs666 View Post
I have been looking at 30AMP solar controllers and I find they range from $26.00 to $150.00. I am adding an additional 100W solar panel and two more batteries.

So can anyone tell me a good brand that will work without giving me problems.

It is going into my 2021 Magnitude XG32 that comes with a 10AMP controller.

I only want to do this one time.
Personally.... I would save your money and spend it on something else.

I have a 2020 SV34 with the same 10A Go Power Solar Controller. The 2020 Magnitudes / Omnis were only solar prepped. I added two Renogy 160W flexible solar panels. I also added two Duracell 6V Deep Cycle Batteries.

The 10A would work just fine with two 100W panels and keeps the house and chassis batteries topped off if there is sun and no shore power.

I know the "experts" will say you need a bigger controller but when you look at it more closely and real performance versus theoretical performance, the 10A can do the job:

- Solar panels are not 100% efficient
- Solar panel performance degrades over time from the first time light hits them
- Unless you are tilting the panels directly to the sun at all times and have complete unobstructed sunshine you are not getting the full power generation of the panels
- Unless you are going up on your roof and cleaning your panels every week you are not getting the full power generation of the panels

After all of that real world consideration, I am probably luck to be pulling 10A from my panel generation.

So unless you intend to install 5 or 6 panels, the 10A Controller can do the job. With 320W of "potential" power generation on my roof, my controller and wiring does not get hot, I have not blown the fuse and my four (and sometimes 6 batteries when the BIM160 latches to charge the chassis batteries as well) get topped off just fine.


Also....

PWM Controllers are cheaper and older technology. They are less efficient but still a good option for maby basic solar implementations. They are unable to limit their current output so they just use the array current. So if the solar array can produce 20 amps of current and the charge controller you’re using is only rated to 10 amps, the controller could be damaged. It is also limited to 25V - 50V max so wiring panels in series is generally not a good practice with this controller.

The bottom line is PWM controllers supply a tiny amount of power to keep batteries full. PWM controllers are best for small scale applications because the solar panel system and batteries have to have matching voltages.

The Go Power is a PWM Controller and again.... I have had no issues after a year of using it with two 160W panels in parrallel and it does the job for keeping the batteries topped off. If it fails eventually, then I will likely replace it with a 20A or 30A PWM or MPPT controller.

MPPT Controllers are typically used with larger and more complicated systems but they still can be used for an RV application. An MPPT controller will decrease the amount of current drawn in order to maintain a desirable voltage at the output of the panel. When it becomes sunny again, the MPPT controller will allow more current from the solar panel once again. They also limit their output so you can make a solar array as large as you want and the controller will limit that output. However, this means your system isn’t as efficient as it could be since you have panels that aren’t being properly utilized. Even if your panels could produce 50A of current, a 30A MPPT Controller would only allow 30A to be used.

An MPPT Controller can accept 100 volts of input, which means you can wire the panels in series. The resulting higher voltage can mean lower currents but if one panel's performance degrades (it gets dirty, starts fialing, etc.), it takes the performance of the entire system down with it. You can still wire the panels in parallel as well.

The 10A Go Power Controller Thor uses is only available to RV OEM's. It has the following features:

-3 Battery Charging profiles: Gel, AGM, Flooded, and Lithium
-4 Stage Charging: Bulk, Float, Absorption and Equalize
-Monthly Equalize option
-Reverse Polarity protected
-Accepts up to 190 watts of solar at 12 volts (so it really could handle two 200W panels when you factor in my real world parameters above)
- Accepts up to 25V input
- Has over-current and over-temp protection (neither of which have I ever had happen with two 160W panels)
__________________
Judge is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 12:45 PM   #10
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Judge,
Thanks for the explanation of the differences between controller types.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 03:49 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge View Post
Personally.... I would save your money and spend it on something else.

I have a 2020 SV34 with the same 10A Go Power Solar Controller. The 2020 Magnitudes / Omnis were only solar prepped. I added two Renogy 160W flexible solar panels. I also added two Duracell 6V Deep Cycle Batteries.

The 10A would work just fine with two 100W panels and keeps the house and chassis batteries topped off if there is sun and no shore power.

I know the "experts" will say you need a bigger controller but when you look at it more closely and real performance versus theoretical performance, the 10A can do the job:

- Solar panels are not 100% efficient
- Solar panel performance degrades over time from the first time light hits them
- Unless you are tilting the panels directly to the sun at all times and have complete unobstructed sunshine you are not getting the full power generation of the panels
- Unless you are going up on your roof and cleaning your panels every week you are not getting the full power generation of the panels

After all of that real world consideration, I am probably luck to be pulling 10A from my panel generation.

So unless you intend to install 5 or 6 panels, the 10A Controller can do the job. With 320W of "potential" power generation on my roof, my controller and wiring does not get hot, I have not blown the fuse and my four (and sometimes 6 batteries when the BIM160 latches to charge the chassis batteries as well) get topped off just fine.


Also....

PWM Controllers are cheaper and older technology. They are less efficient but still a good option for maby basic solar implementations. They are unable to limit their current output so they just use the array current. So if the solar array can produce 20 amps of current and the charge controller you’re using is only rated to 10 amps, the controller could be damaged. It is also limited to 25V - 50V max so wiring panels in series is generally not a good practice with this controller.

The bottom line is PWM controllers supply a tiny amount of power to keep batteries full. PWM controllers are best for small scale applications because the solar panel system and batteries have to have matching voltages.

The Go Power is a PWM Controller and again.... I have had no issues after a year of using it with two 160W panels in parrallel and it does the job for keeping the batteries topped off. If it fails eventually, then I will likely replace it with a 20A or 30A PWM or MPPT controller.

MPPT Controllers are typically used with larger and more complicated systems but they still can be used for an RV application. An MPPT controller will decrease the amount of current drawn in order to maintain a desirable voltage at the output of the panel. When it becomes sunny again, the MPPT controller will allow more current from the solar panel once again. They also limit their output so you can make a solar array as large as you want and the controller will limit that output. However, this means your system isn’t as efficient as it could be since you have panels that aren’t being properly utilized. Even if your panels could produce 50A of current, a 30A MPPT Controller would only allow 30A to be used.

An MPPT Controller can accept 100 volts of input, which means you can wire the panels in series. The resulting higher voltage can mean lower currents but if one panel's performance degrades (it gets dirty, starts fialing, etc.), it takes the performance of the entire system down with it. You can still wire the panels in parallel as well.

The 10A Go Power Controller Thor uses is only available to RV OEM's. It has the following features:

-3 Battery Charging profiles: Gel, AGM, Flooded, and Lithium
-4 Stage Charging: Bulk, Float, Absorption and Equalize
-Monthly Equalize option
-Reverse Polarity protected
-Accepts up to 190 watts of solar at 12 volts (so it really could handle two 200W panels when you factor in my real world parameters above)
- Accepts up to 25V input
- Has over-current and over-temp protection (neither of which have I ever had happen with two 160W panels)
Judge, between you and Bob Denman I get the best advice. So thank you.

I wish I would have read this before I punched the ticket for the new one, but since it is on the way I will go ahead and install it with the new solar panel and two batteries. It was only $80.00.

I just think the biggest difference will be the speed of the recharge. It is pretty sunny here in So Utah where we basically have the same weather as Las Vegas.
__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 04:25 PM   #12
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTRvs666 View Post
...I just think the biggest difference will be the speed of the recharge. It is pretty sunny here in So Utah where we basically have the same weather as Las Vegas.
Minus the hungover gamblers...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 06:05 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Minus the hungover gamblers...
We are plagued with Snowbirders that drive under the speed limit. The days of the white buicks with embroidered kleenex boxes in the back window are over. Now it is white Prius'. I'll take the hangovers.
__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 07:13 PM   #14
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Well I'm not a snowbird...
I'm just an Olphart that drives under the speed limit...
In my defense: I sell insurance for a living.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2021, 07:57 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor Magnitude XG32 4x4,
State: Utah
Posts: 190
THOR #19682
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
Well I'm not a snowbird...
I'm just an Olphart that drives under the speed limit...
In my defense: I sell insurance for a living.
I can defend driving under the speed limit in a motorhome. I just need one of those train horns to wake em up.
__________________
CTRvs666 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 07:26 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 25.4
State: California
Posts: 225
THOR #7440
I have the Renogy 40 amp Rover controller and 4 100 watt panels and 4 100ah gel cells, you can set the display on the controller to read the amps and mine has been trouble free except for one of the in line 40 am fuses, they were poor quality and would loosen up on the connections, I replace the hardware on the fuse holder to 5/16 brass bolt and brass nuts with stainless steel shake proof washers and that took care of the problem, the newer controllers have a app you down load on your phone an you can monitor volts, amps and watts, good system so far.
__________________
BASSMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2021, 08:55 PM   #17
Member
 
puppygeo's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau V25
State: California
Posts: 75
THOR #19470
Last summer I installed a Newpowa 200W Solar Panel
Xantrex Freedom XC 2000w 80A Pure Sine Inverter/Charger
EPEVER 40A Tracer MPPT Controller w/Temperature Sensor

I may have gone a bit overboard for my little Class C, but I'm very happy with the performance!
__________________
Jeff & Naomi & Ryu
2019 Thor Chateau V25
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
puppygeo is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 11:35 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2