Comparing MPPT vs PWM charge controllers with a 24V panel and 12V battery

A common situation with DIY solar systems is that someone gets a 20V or 24V solar panel, and then needs to use it to charge a 12V battery bank. We demonstrate why an MPPT solar charge controller is needed to convert the voltage down and increase the current to maximize the power out of the solar panel. While a PWM solar charge controller could be used, you will lose at least half of the potential power, so MPPT is a much better solution.

[donnymontreano]

01:10 this is what im looking for all my life... when volts down, amps down -pwm-
thank you very much 🙏

[johnconrad]

first person who explained the difference between the pwm and the MPPT. thanks

[CraquedEggs]

Thanks for creating this video. It was useful for what I'm doing. I plan on using an ac to dc constant power supply with a pwm CC to charge a 50ah lifepo4 battery that will supply power to my surveillance system when the power goes out. I haven't figured out if I want to use an inverter or a 12v to 12v converter to supply current directly to the unit, but it's a fun project.

[pirate]

This is one of the most complete "informed" presentations that I've seen. You're in good company, very good company. When I go to solar, I'm gong to shop and ask advise from the Boxborough, MA store completely. I'd like to add that you have one of the most "complete" series of telling about solar energy and the particulars. I have a suggestion: if you have a community college nearby, you may want to consider giving a class on this stuff - it's that good.

[noahh]

Great video! It is worth noting that to my understanding your gains with MPPT in this situation are based off of the incoming voltage being considerably higher than your battery bank. Everything she said is accurate and helpful, but I just want everyone to understand that an MPPT controller isn't going to give current gains like this if we aren't talking specifically about a higher voltage solar panel on a lower voltage battery. The pwm controller only has the capability of acting as a restriction and burning energy off to match the voltage of the battery bank, while the MPPT controller is capable of actually converting the energy into the voltage and current appropriate, without just wasting a massive amount of the energy through heat generation. In short, if you have a panel rated for 12v and you have a 12v battery bank, a pwm controller is fine and will have minimal, if any, changes in power delivery. In most conditions the difference would be less than what the mppt controller consumes in energy during operation.

[Ram-ex]

Excellent, short, crisp and informative

[sirajhussain]

Very good practical comparison b/w PWM and MPPT Charge Controller (It is a Buck Converter).

[ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Great explanation. I direct my subs to your AltE channel because you explain it better and more thoroughly. Most don't understand that MPPT + high PV volts/lower current maximizes efficiency and power going into a battery/inverter. And cable size. And so on and so forth. Well done.

[OmarAlvi]

thank you very much for such informative content. It was a mystery for me but now it's clear.
thank you once again.

[victorrios]

Great video and very heplfull for us as a biegginer in solar system...

[garyenwards]

Amy I'm really learning a lot and I wanted to thank you

[SagarDass]

Finally I got the answer... That I was searching for 1 month ! 😁

[steveaubinofangers]

Second of your videos I've seen now thank soo much.

[parthibanparthiban]

You done a such a wonderfull job, its a perffect video i ever seen in mppt vs pwm technic comparison . super, fantastic video .

[RikHaanen]

In case you use a PWM controller with pannels and battary that acttualy match voltage and then compare efficiency and cost with the mppt you might find that for the price diffence you could buy an extra pannel and have more power per dollar.

[GavinSeim]

5:27... "using a PWM pretty much cuts your solar power in half"

This is 100% false. She just used 24v panel with a controller that does not convert 24V to 12V system like the MPPT.

This kind of bad info from a solar store is concerning.

An MPPT absolutely will not double your power output any more than a PWM will halve it. Either one, if it is designed for your panel and system voltage will work fine. But most battery systems are 12V. The advantage of an MPPT is computerized controls, charging modes and more acceptance of higher voltage with auto conversion to your batteries charge voltage. It's not that you gain with an MPPT. She just used the wrong controller for the panel and lost power because it was not designed to convert from 24 to 12V.

[MorningstarCorporation]

67W vs 37W is a big difference. Good video.

[thefaeryman]

Thanks, I was wondering about this exact topic just a few days ago.

[Joshuatreelocal]

it was a nice video thank you but it would be nice if you covered which one is a better option for a small beginner setup, which one is more expensive, which one's more reliable, which is newer technology, and so on it was a lot of technical jargon and not much else.

[Naeemkhan-olrt]

Nice discuss on charge controller. I like it.