2 Battery Solar Charge Controller

[kas_1611]

Stumbled across a 20A 12v/24v twin bank solar charge controller on Amazon the other day and was wondering if anyone in the collective had any experience of these?

20Amp Dual Battery Solar Charge Controller

I'm not worried about my engine battery as it seems to survive quite happily just off the mains charge when we are in port (plus I have some big ass long jump leads - no I don't have a 1/2/Both switch) but I was thinking this would be an ideal way to keep my bow thruster batteries suitably happy when we are away by hooking them into the 2x 35watt panels we have on the deck.

Figured I'd pick the collective knowledge before shelling out my hard earned.

Cheers and cold beers

Keiron

[john61ct]

Likely POS.

Look at Victron. Their 75/15 should be reasonable even in the UK.

[kas_1611]

John,

The Victron 75/15 is a reasonable £80 (ish) via Amazon but it only charges a single battery bank. Thanks for the pointer though as I'll keep this in mind for future.

The Photonic one charges 2 banks, which is why it caught my eye. Admit I am skeptical about the quality myself but they do seem to get a pretty good rating and solid reviews on Amazon.

Cheers

Keiron

[john61ct]

Sorry, do you have two separate thruster banks? Why would you not parallel combine them into a single bank?

You did say you were not using solar for the starter.

These generic Chinese controllers usually don't last long even on land.

[kas_1611]

Sorry I didn't make it really clear in the original post, I have a House bank, currently connected to a standard 10amp charge controller, and a Thruster bank that I would like to also connect to my solar panels for maintenance charge whilst we are away from the boat. My starter battery is a third unit. All 3 batteries are totally independent and not interconnected in any way, shape or form (unless I use my jump leads).

Cheers

Keiron

[john61ct]

Morningstar SunSaver Duo

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Morningstar SunSaver Duo

+1. It's a pwm, I have one fitted to my boat and it has been great for years now.

[john61ct]

Here's an old Tracer model, they're OK

http://www.sunstore.co.uk/EP-Solar-D...2-24v-20A.html

[kas_1611]

Thanks for both the Morningstar (£83 on Amazon) and the EP Solar model, which I have bookmarked for reference.

Is it just me or does the EP Solar have a striking similarity to the Photonic Energy model?

Are there any other dual battery solar controllers out there?

Keiron

[GILow]

Votronic mmpt regulators have a second circuit for charging the engine bank which you could use for the bow thruster bank. A very decent piece of German equipment, mine has been happily managing our batteries for a few years now. The biggest regulator they make handles about 430 watts of panels, and they make a few smaller models. Good for most battery chemistries including lithium.

[kas_1611]

Votronic added to the list. Thanks for the heads up on these

[Sailsgood]

Another option is Western co.

5yrs warranty , Dual battery MPPT with bluetooth app. Dual Battery – Western Co – Electronic Equipments

If check on google you can find it easily. I did't find it on amazon

[john61ct]

Yes Votronic makes nice stuff.

Originally Posted by kas_1611

Is it just me or does the EP Solar have a striking similarity to the Photonic Energy model?

Could be a cheap imitation, or re-labeled as with Renogy.

Original Tracer/EP is cheap enough