What is a Charge Controller and Why Do I Need One?

by SPL Admin January 27, 2023

A Solar Charge Controller is like a bodyguard for your battery. It prevents overcharging and overdischarging to keep your battery safe and healthy.
When the sun is shining bright, the Charge Controller stops the flow of incoming current to prevent the battery from blowing up or exploding.
When it's cloudy and your battery is running low, the Charge Controller prevents the battery from discharging fully which is bad for the battery's health.
A Charge Controller is an extra layer of protection, safety, and security for all of your off-grid equipment.

Which Charge Controller Should You Choose?

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Charge Controller:
- Good for smaller systems like RVs
- Less expensive but less efficient
- Make sure the voltages match across the board
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) Charge Controller:
- Good for larger systems like solar-powered off-grid cabins
- Most efficient type of Charge Controller
- The best option if the voltages of the solar panels are greater than the batteries being used
In short, if you're just weekend warrior-ing with your solar system, a PWM will do the trick. But if you're planning to go full-on off-grid, an MPPT is the way to go for maximum efficiency and protection.

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