Victron Solar Equipment

[Andrewgw]

I would very much appreciate any comments in regards to the solar panels (12VDC 80W) and charge controllers (Blue Solar Duo 12/24V-20A) manufactured by Victron Energy.

[colemj]

They are not sold in the US, if that is a factor.

Mark

[Cotemar]

Andrewgw,

It's much more efficient to get solar panels that put out a higher voltage than your battieries require and use the controller to to bring it to 14.4 charge voltage.

[OceanPlanet]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Andrewgw,

It's much more efficient to get solar panels that put out a higher voltage than your battieries require and use the controller to to bring it to 14.4 charge voltage.

Fyi, MPPT "boost" controllers are also available for smaller, low-voltage panels. So not mandatory to put low-voltage panels in series to charge 14V or 28V batteries.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by OceanPlanet

Fyi, MPPT "boost" controllers are also available for smaller, low-voltage panels. So not mandatory to put low-voltage panels in series to charge 14V or 28V batteries.

I guess I should have but "more efficient" in bold.

With higher voltage panels its like pooring 2 gallons into a one gallon container and having some left over.

With low voltage panels its like pooring 1/2 gallon into a one gallon container and then looking for more to fill the gallon

[OceanPlanet]

Sorta true...if you have two 8V panels and put them in series then to one MPPT controller, that will be better in matched conditions (no shading).

However, if you have any shading of one or both panels, then it's better to use two separate small MPPT boost controllers.