LED or LCD Display on Controller

[Dollydagger]

I'm looking to buy a Morningstar contoller, ProStar 30, there is a choice of displays and I'm wondering what the difference is between the LED and LCD. Thanks.

[Strygaldwir]

Light Emitting Diode, Liquid Crystal Diode. LED use more power than LCD (okay, we are talking small amounts versus minuscule amounts). LED's tend to be more visible in extreme lighting conditions (lots of light, very dark) LCD's tend to have a longer life. The segments of an LCD tend to be bigger than the segments of an LED, so they may be easier to read in normal lighting conditions.

[Minggat]

If I got to choose again, I'd go for LED for the visability. Old eyes can't see the LCD without pushing the backlight button

[Dollydagger]

Thanks for the info,I picked the LED. Cant wait to get my solar going.

[colemj]

oops, too late for me to chime in, but here goes anyway for posterity...

Where the controller will be mounted is important to your decision. You will only need to look at your solar controller during the day, when LCD is pretty easy to see. If the controller is mounted somewhere in the open sight lines in the cabin, the LED readouts tend to be distracting (to me) at night. Strangely, I find the soft backlights on LCD displays to be less distracting than the bright red LED readouts.

But maybe that's just me...

Mark