Solar Charge Controllers

Charge Controllers are Important

A solar charge controller plays an important role in prolonging the life of your solar battery. Solar charge controllers protect batteries from the dangers of being overcharged and completely drained, both of which significantly reduce battery lifespan. Sustainable offer a range of solar charge controllers to prolong the life of your solar batteries and ensure that your household never lacks for solar power

What does a solar charge controller do?

Solar charge controllers, also known as solar charge regulators, monitor the condition of your battery according to the power generated by your solar panels. A solar charge controller will determine when to disconnect or reconnect your battery to its power source according to voltage readings. Many contain digital screens to keep you informed of the charge status of your battery.

Types of solar charge controllers:

  • Series solar charge controller: regulates battery charging by disconnecting solar panels from batteries.
  • Shunt solar controller: creates a feedback loop that diverts power back to solar panels rather than the battery.
  • Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) charge controller: more efficient that series solar charger controllers, PWM controllers reduce the charging current as soon as maximum voltage is reached, and keeps the charge low to prevent overheating.
  • Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controllers: maintain optimum power levels between solar panels and battery.  MPPT controllers are very efficient, particularly in cold weather, and come in a range of models.
  • Non-digital MPPTs are cheaper than digital solar controllers but not as efficient.
  • Micro-processor MPPT solar charge controllers are the most efficient of the MPPT line, as they minutely examine battery charger functioning and make adjustments accordingly.

Place your order now to protect your solar batteries and maximise the efficiency of your battery chargers with a solar charge controller from Sustainable.co.za.