12v Solar Charge Controller Buyers Guide - Beginner Friendly!

*Table of Contents*
Names/Prices of Charge Controllers in the Video: 1:30
Features you need to look for: 2:03
2 Charge Controllers Myth Disproven: 11:38

Power Output Test: 12:06
PWM vs. MPPT: 15:18
Conclusions: 17:33

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!

*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*

*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*

*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,

[WillProwse]

*Table of Contents*
Names/Prices of Charge Controllers in the Video: 1:30
Features you need to look for: 2:03
2 Charge Controllers Myth Disproven: 11:38

Power Output Test: 12:06
PWM vs. MPPT: 15:18
Conclusions: 17:33




Whenever I post products, they seem to go out of stock, but here are the links:




Other things I did not mention in the video:
-night time, or stand by consumption, was .4-.6 watts for all the charge controllers, so I didn't mention it. The results were non conclusive and consistent for all of them.
-the ability to overpanel is a huge feature! I wish I talked about this in the video. What it means is that if you exceed the power input rating, current wise, you will not destroy your controller. It will just produce whatever amperage its rated for. So lets say it has enough power to create 60 amps but its rated for only 40 amps, well it will only output 40 amps, and it will not be destroyed. I really like this feature and its in my BN series "favorite charge controller" listed above.

Corrections:
16:14 I switched the two numbers. I said the right numbers, but I didn't list them properly.

*Does off-grid solar confuse you?*
Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more!

*Join our DIY solar community*
#1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike:

*Check out my Book*
Best-selling and beginner-friendly guide to 12V off-grid solar!



*My DIY Solar Equipment Recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):*








*My Favorite Online Stores for DIY Solar Products:*

*Signature Solar*
Offgrid One-Stop-Shop. Best Value 48V LiFePO4, Victron and Offgrid Specific Heat Pumps:

*Current Connected*
SOK, Victron, Mr.Cool Heatpumps and High Quality Components. Fantastic customer support:

*Litime*
My favorite 12V budget battery!:

*Epoch Batteries*
My favorite high-quality 12V battery:

*Renogy*
A classic 12V solar store that has been around for ages! DC to DC Chargers and more!

*Rich Solar*
Renogy's biggest competitor! Similar products, but at a better price:

*Battery Hookup*
Cheap cell deals
5% off code: diysolar

*Contact Information:*


*FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:*
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)

DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[desertcandle]

I am a 60 plus old woman trying to learn how to do solar. Your videos are giving me the confidence to start assembling and using a small system. I so appreciate your thorough explanations. You don't use a lot of hype and you don't give just a high level overview. I don't totally understand everything yet but I am so very grateful to your channel. I am hoping that soon I will be traveling around the country using my solar panels to power up where ever I end up camping.

[falcundo]

Thanks for not having cheesy openings and closings to your videos. Right to the point. 👍🏻

[jamsessionrecordshop]

The companies don't like your videos because you give honest reviews. That's probably why you have nearly 900, 000 subscribers.

[fightswithspirits]

My Aspergers enjoys how you always get right to the point. No words are wasted. Articulate. Knowledgeable. Such incredible efficienct message delivery. A true gift.

[shawnwhite]

I don't know what your background is, Will, But you are by far the best reviewer I've seen for these products so far. Great job! I work in the power industry and like what you are doing. Honest reviews like yours will eventually force manufacturers to up their game and produce quality products instead some of the trash I see out there.

[rsassine]

The beginning got me hooked instantly. (No intro music. No BS.)

[KellerDidThat]

Will, your content is absolutely top notch. Please keep doing this for as long as you can, you have helped so many people!

[warplanner]

You are, young man, one of the most motivated and enthusiastic individuals in the realm. You will go far, pilgrim!

[tassiemclennan]

Finding Will Prowse was truly great. Being a complete novice with no prior knowledge of anything electric related, Will's videos are so very understandable. Thank you Will for taking your time, effort to educate we who are interested in living off grid.

[sbollmeyer]

Amazing! You stated and displayed your test Lab. You test and compared all charge controllers to each other. You stated which charge controllers should be used based on battery chemistry. You mentioned how to achieve optimal value for your dollar. Excellent, Will. Thank you. And you did all that in twenty minutes!

[teelamorissette]

Thank you, sir. I love the multiple product review. Don't let them change you. I feel like it shows that they don't have enough confidence in their product to be able to have it compared to others. Regardless, you can tell that you really know your stuff. Conveyed by the fact that you're not having to read off of notes, while still being able to relay the information concisely. So much knowledge in one video. Thanks!

[nansfavs]

Wow Will, you are a diamond in the YT world! EXACTLY what I needed to fill in the gaps of my base. You're a natural teacher, very enthusiastic, and thanks for no crappy music! 5 stars! Buying from your website for all my solar stuff!

[dangeraghty]

Thank you for your "out of pocket" review. Glad you didn't cave to the single unit comparison. Honesty & Integrity are hard to find these days. Kudos to ya :)

[bobcat]

Simple: I see objective reviewing, I subscribe. and when they stay that way I stay subscribed.

[billboyd]

I'm 67 years old embarking on my first van conversion. I'm a retired funeral director with no knowledge in solar energy. I'm learning everything I can on YouTube. You provide the most informative videos of all YouTubers. Thank you for making it easy to understand and having the integrity to provide information that I strongly feel can be trusted.

[thetinysideoftiny]

AWESOME VIDEO...Came in knowing NOTHING...left with a rock solid decision on the right charge controller for my project. Will, I really appreciate your hard work and dedication to solar testing and education. You make it look so easy and it gives me a lot of confidence. THANK YOU!

[kaylor]

My gawd dude, this video is absolutely amazing! From the moment I clicked and started watching, listening to you talk and explain the setup and everything, I could just tell that we were gearing up for a really great, really honest, and very thorough review. I'm now 6 minutes in, and just couldn't resist pausing for a second and giving you some praise man! I wish all guides on youtube could be this educated and well put together. I've been building some 18650 battery packs lately and I'm starting to dive into the realm of solar charging; I'm definitely going to subscribe and will be looking your way for any future Solar needs :) Thanks so much!!

[outdoorsmanb]

One of the best solar energy components video I have ever seen. Clear pricing and objective data

[neilgallier]

WELL DONE! Your videos are absolutely fantastic! I have been wanting solar since I was 14. I am 68 now. We bought a system for our home in Sydney ten years. We are now in Tasmania on a small property. The Tas' house already had solar when we moved in. I am building solar systems for sheds around the place and your videos have been a HUGE help! THANK YOU!