If i have a solar panel that outputs 24 volts, can i charge a 12v battery using this controller?
1123835
I agree with most all said here before. Get 2 12v batteries in series = 24v, or 4 6v and hook up in series but controller is best way to go to match your solar panel. Most quality solar panels will charge 12v and 24v. Get a volt meter and check it out as you go. A fuse is a must. Good luck
1123836
Is this a 24volt panel that is not outputting full power? If you hook the panel to the charge controller that is first connected to the battery and you get green light I would go for it.
1123837
A test you can make is to directly connect the panel to the battery, correct polarity important or you will fry things. If the voltage is 17 volts or under you are good to go. If it is still over 18 volts you will be over current and ruin the battery. You cannot have the controller set to 24 volts for your 12volt battery!
1123838
Yes, the charge controller will automatically bind to the single 12 volt battery, with appropriate charge from a 24 volt panel.
1233769
I believe you will need two panels connected in a series for a 24 V system. My panel puts out 18.99 volts max, not enough for a 24 volt battery. hope this helps.
984700
Yes, but you must wire two batteries together in series to put the unit in 24V mode where it can handle 260 watts. If not, you will exceed its 130 watt capacity in 12V mode. So you can charge one battery with one panel at a time or charge 2 batteries at a time with two panels. Nice setup!
1258373
this controller doesn't care if it is 12 or 24 volts,, not very many watts though,, it will take a while to much charge in that battery
1918070
For a 24V system this would be acceptable. The problem with this controller is with in the loading of it. The out put to a load (lights, inverter, etc.) comes on after there is no light to the panel.
1004019
Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are great for a single 50-watt panel. Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are... » Read More Yes. Volts are like "pushing power". Your 18 volts can push into your 12-volt battery. The question is, how does your battery stop the pushing once it's full? That's what the charge controller is for -- once your battery is full, the controller steps off or cuts off the voltage. Just make sure that you pick a controller that can handle the amps -- a controller rated at 10 amps would be a poor choice for a solar panel or panels over 110-120 watts. (To figure out how many amps you need, divide the watts by roughly 11 and give yourself a safety margin.) These smaller controllers are great for a single 50-watt panel. « Show Less
2048060
Yes as long as you don't exceed the controllers maximum current output. This unit at 12vdc draws 560milliamps
2284815
You are more likely to over charge the battery with a 12 volt unit. Just ensure the whole solar array is in the sunlight for optimal charging.
1509042
The panel puts out 12V DC, so charging the 12V starting battery is no problem. I wouldn't charge a 24V system with a 12V panel, but if you disconnect each of the 2 12V batteries for the trolling motor and charge them separately, that would work.
1318350
The instructions doesn't give enough explanation. I called the company for my inverter and asked if solar is compatible with their inverter hooked up to the charge controller. They said to keep the inverter connected to the battery. The only thing I can think of is using a 12 volt light or a small apliance could be connected directly to it instead of using the battery power. If a 12 volt light is connected directly you are taking advantage of the solar imediatly. If the same light was connected to the battery instead, the charge controller doesn't let the solar charge the battery until it drops to a certain voltage. So solar panel isn't being used to its full advantage.
2223561
No, I think the generator inside the unit is set to generate 12V. The controller that goes with this system is also 12V so unless there is a controller that can convert to 24V, then you may need to find another way to convert the charge. I 24V system is more expensive though? FYI.
31482
I have had four one hundred watt panels hooked up to this same charge controller for nearly a year and it works fine. At first, I had them hooked up with the panels at 12v and the battery bank at 12v, then I switched the hookup to two sets of two panels in series to put the panels at 24v with the battery bank remaining at 12v. I get a little more power out of the panels this way because a lower amperage means a smaller voltage drop between the panels and charge controller, even though the wattage from the panels is the same. It works fine. With an MPPT controller, the voltage of the panels is not dumped directly into the batteries so you can hook it up either way. If you hook the panels in sets to reach 24v, then your only limit is the 30 amps to the battery bank. Anything above that is simply lost.
243758
I use this solar panel to charge two 12V batteries connected in series to produce 24V. my boat has two 12V batteries, but they are connected in parallel which is likely the case for your boat. Also, I believe that you should be looking for a 12V Solar panel, not 24V. Hope this helps.
933674
You need to buy a 12 regulator they sell for solar panels so it will not over charge your 12 volt batteries.
2070265
yes that is correct. If you connect two 12v batteries in series end result will be one battery bank of 24v. When charging batteries - use of a charge controller is highly recommended.
2031213
Yes, it should work. You'd honestly be better off getting a second solar panel and wiring them in series to produce 24v.
1476805
Yes, you can connect directly to a 12 volt battery. No charge controller is needed.