Best 10 amp Solar Charge Controller Review
If you’re looking to set up a solar power system, then you’ve probably wondered how to choose a solar charge controller. If so, this article will teach you all you need to know about 10 amp solar charge controllers. You’ll also discover what to look for in a 10a charge controller and how to size one to match your system’s output. To help you make your decision, here are a few 10 Amp Units to consider when shopping for a solar charge controller.
what is a solar charge controller?
When building a solar-powered home, the most important part of the installation is the charge controller. The solar controller is essential for a variety of reasons. It controls how your battery is charged and ensures that it never goes into reverse charge. A good solar charge controller can protect your battery from damage and keep you from running out of power when you need it most. therefore, it is important to make sure you buy the right one for your system.
This device controls how much energy your battery is receiving from solar panels. A solar charge controller is an essential part of a solar power system, as panels often output higher voltages than their nominal voltage. For example, a solar panel that outputs 19 volts may only be able to accept 14-15 volts at any given time. Overcharging can damage your battery, so you should buy a proper solar charge controller that can handle this high voltage.
What is a 10 amp Solar Charge Controller?
When choosing a solar charge controller is the maximum current output, which is measured in amps. a 10 amp controller means that it can support a maximum of 10 amps of current processing when operating in a solar system, usually 10 amps of current corresponding to off-grid systems are relatively small and are mainly deployed for home and vehicle solar systems.
In the 10a controller family, there are both MPPT type controllers and PWM type controllers, their charging methods and efficiency are different, we recommend using the MPPT type based on our years of experience
How many watts can a 10 amp charge controller handling?
The recommended wattage for a 10 amp solar charge controller is between 130 to 150 watts. This is not sufficient for most systems, however. You’ll need a higher amp solar controller if you’re planning to install solar panels with a larger output. A 10A solar charge controller is enough for systems with a maximum output of about 150 watts.
In theory, a 10 amp controller can support up to 150W of solar panels if the system is 12V. and 24V systems, the controller can support up to 260W. even some unit can support 360W, The simple formula is current multiplied by voltage, in the case of a 12v system.
This is the capability of a conventional solar controller, we will also talk about another type of solar controller, the boost solar controller. With a special boost technology, it can handle up to 400W of solar panel input. we will also list and review some today.
What to look for when choosing a 10 amp controller
Charging technology: MPPT and PWM can be chosen based on the budget, as we experienced, we still recommend MPPT, in long-term operation, MPPT conversion efficiency is much higher than PWM.
Size: Generally, a 10 amp controllers are not large in size compared to those large amp controllers.
Heat dissipation: This is easy to ignore, but still very important, cheap 10 Amp controllers can be bought for no more than 20, they have no heat sink or just a piece, it’s easy to overheat and resulting in burnout. however, a good 10 amp controller with a specially designed heat sink module or even a built-in fan, can effectively drive away the heat generated during operation.
Besides that, There are many things to look for in a 10 amp solar charge controller before purchasing one. The most important thing to look for is the overall quality of the product. The materials used in making solar controllers should be high-quality and sturdy, and the best models are also equipped with safety features to protect the solar cells from damage.
Best 10a solar charge controller
We compared and review the best 10 amp solar charge controller based on our expertise and you may find one you really need after the review the article.
10A MPPT Charge Controller MPPT5010
The 10A MPPT Controller is a controller that supports 12V and 24V systems and automatically recognizes switching. It supports up to 50V solar panel voltage input. The controller is suitable for a variety of solar batteries including lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, Gel, lead-acid and AGM batteries.
The MPPT5010 was designed to maximize the usable energy from a 260W panel at 24 Volt. With Continuous Maximum Power Point Tracking, and night consumption of only 0.9mA, the MPPT5010 delivers results. In fact, the MPPT5010 is so effective at increasing panel output, it lowers your system cost (/W) compared to PWM controller and larger panel.
High-Speed MPPT: Always on Target
Not all Maximum Power Point Tracking controllers were created equally. Most use a sweep and sleep method that scans the entire voltage range every 30-60 seconds. That’s okay for a clear day, but traditional controllers are constantly off target during changing Cloud conditions – exactly when power is scarce and needs the most. MPPT5010 controllers adapt to changing light conditions 20 times every second. They are always on target, capturing every bit of available sunshine. Simply put, other controllers can’t keep up.
Advanced Lithium Charging Algorithms
MPPT5010 Lithium charging algorithms draw from nine years of experience building Lithium battery packs for harsh environments. We’ve worked with every chemistry, and have tailored charge profiles to help you get more capacity and cycle life from your battery pack.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- Max 260W Solar Panel Input
- 24V 12V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: AGM Battery, Lifepo4 Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
10A MPPT Solar Charge Controller MT2410N10
the MT2410 is a 10A MPPT solar charge controller that helps you collect energy from your PV panels and store it in batteries. The MT2410N10 MPPT features allow you to maximize energy harvest and prolong the life of your battery.
Its MPPT technology monitors the voltage output of your PV panels to harvest as much power as possible. This feature comes in handy when the sky is partly cloudy or the light intensity is changing. This device also allows you to set specific charging rates and voltage levels for your batteries.
The 10A MPPT solar charge controller can be used for various kinds of batteries include Lithium ion,LIfepo4,AGM and Lead Acid.
This device features a high tracking efficiency and a maximum conversion efficiency of 97%. You can also customize its parameters, LED indicators, and more.
The MT2410 10A MPPT Solar Charge Controller is compatible with different deep cycle battery types. Its high-speed charging function and high standby energy saving features make it a great choice for home use.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- Max 260W Solar Panel Input
- 24V 12V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: AGM Battery, Lifepo4 Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
Waterproof Solar Charge Controller 10A
The waterproof solar charge controller features a waterproof design, it built with a waterproof shell with waterproof gel sealed, the waterproofing level can reach the IP68 rating.
The waterproof solar charge controller supports charging of a variety of batteries including lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries, Gel batteries, Flooded battery and Sealed Battery.
The waterproof controller uses led indicator light to display the real-time operation of the system. The indicator light can display the system charging condition, battery condition and load condition.
The waterproofing solar controller is 3 stage charge PWM charge controller with high conversion efficiency.
The controller has waterproof buttons that can be set in wet conditions.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- IP68 Waterproof
- 360W Solar Panel Input
- 24V 12V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: Lithium ion Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
MPT-7210A Boost MPPT Solar Charge Controller 10A
MPT-7210A MPPT Solar Controller is kind of boost MPPT Charge Controller which can charge 72V, 60V, 48V, 36V, and 24V battery System with Lower Voltage Solar Panel. it’s Real MPPT Charge Controller which has a 98% Tracking Efficiency and can be widely applied in off-grid solar power systems.
The MPT-7210A solar booster uses advanced software active algorithm for quickly and accurately tracking the maximum power point of photovoltaic panels module voltage, active tracking work at the maximum power point of the solar cell module in order to get more solar energy. Enhance the charging current and power generation.
This Solar Boost Charger adapts the step-up DC to DC Charging Technology enables you charge 72v 60v 48v 36v battery banks with 12v 24v solar panels, it’s list in the 7 best solar charger for golf cart of 2022.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- Boost Charge
- 600W Solar Panel Input
- 48V 36V 24V 12V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: Lithium ion Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
Buck Boost Solar Charge Controller BB01
the ZHCSolar BB01 is an advanced Multiple Voltage, 12 Amp MPPT Buck Boost solar charge controller and panel optimizer. It finds the TRUE MPPT or GLOBAL MPPT operating point and ignores the false maximum that occurs on partially shaded panels. This results in significant gains in charge current over competitors. Solar input operation extended from 24 to 72 volts regardless of battery voltage. it’s a great unit to charge solar drivered vehicles like solar golf carts and tribikes.
It can BOTH lower (Buck) and raise (Boost) Solar voltage to Battery voltage at very high efficiency over 99% peak.
Support Battery Type: Lithium-ion Battery, LiFePo4 Battery, Lead Acid Battery, Gel Battery, AGM Battery and etc.
Support Battery Voltage: 24V, 36V, 48V, 60V, 72V
Solar Panel Optimal Working Voltage: 15V-50V
The boost solar controller with OLED display function can clearly show the charging current, voltage, working temperature, and battery voltage of the solar system to keep track of the system operation.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- Boost Charge
- 450W Solar Panel Input
- 88V 72V 60V 48V 36V 24V 12V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: Lithium ion Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
10 Amp Solar Charger for Golf Cart
This 10 Amp solar charger for Golf Cart features MPPT technology to protect batteries and prolong their lifespan. It can automatically detect the type of battery you have and adjust the voltage to suit. The boost solar charge controller can also prevent short circuits and overcharging. It has LED indicator, self-diagnostics, and electronic protection functions to protect your system. It works well with lead acid batteries, including gel. It also has a three-stage battery charging system.
The boost controller is a charger with built-in MPPT function, which ensures that the controller has the best solar energy conversion efficiency.
The controller can be used to charge the 48V 60V 72V battery system with 18V or 36V panels, which is suitable for electric vehicles that can only mount small panels.
the solar booster is one of the best 48 volt charge controller for solar powered golf carts and ebikes.
it’s a great choice when you want to convert the golf cart to solar powered but has tight budget.
- 10 Amp charge current handling
- Boost Charge
- 360W Solar Panel Input
- 48V 60V 72V Battery Bank Charge
- Supports various types of battery charging: Lithium ion Battery, Gel, lead acid
- Multiple Protection
Conclusion
I have listed the above 10A controller comparison for you to choose, I believe you must have the one you want after reading, if there are still questions, you can contact us for more recommended news.
How to Set Up Your 1st Solar Panel System
Just so you know, this page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, at no extra cost to you I may earn a small commission.
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you exactly how to set up your first solar panel system, step by step.
These are the same steps I used to make my own solar power system.
Materials Tools
Materials
Main components:
To connect charge controller to battery:
- Option 1: Make your own battery cables (this is what I did)
- 10 gauge copper wire
- 12-10 ring terminal and butt splice connectors
- Littelfuse inline fuse holder
- 20A blade fuse
- Heat shrink tubing
- 10 gauge 8 ft battery to charge controller tray cables
- 20A ANL fuse
To connect inverter to battery:
To connect solar panel to charge controller:
Note: You can copy my solar panel setup as is or adjust the sizes of the various components and wiring products for your energy needs.
Tools
Only needed if making your own battery cables:
Step 1: Understand the Solar Wiring Diagram
Here’s the solar panel wiring diagram for this system:
Here are the main points to understand about it:
- A basic solar panel setup consists of 4 main components. These are a battery, solar panel, charge controller, and inverter.
- Don’t connect the solar panel directly to the battery. Doing so can damage the battery. You need to instead connect both to a charge controller that regulates the incoming solar energy to safely charge the battery. Most charge controllers require you to connect the battery first and then the solar panel (and reverse this order when doing disconnections). Consult your controller’s manual for the recommended installation order.
- Protect your system with a fuse between each connection. Place a fuse between the battery and charge controller, battery and inverter, and solar panel and charge controller (on the positive wires of each connection).
- Don’t overdischarge the battery. Some batteries, such as lead acid batteries, don’t have a built-in BMS to protect against overdischarge. Give yourself some cushion when sizing your battery, and monitor your battery’s voltage through the LED indicators on your charge controller.
Step 2: Connect the Inverter and Charge Controller to the Battery
Now that you know how the system works…
If you decided to make your own battery cables, follow Step 2 in my tutorial on connecting a solar panel to a battery to learn how to make them.
If you decided to buy pre-made battery cables, bolt the ANL fuse to the positive battery cable.
Next, plug the Bestek inverter’s 12V plug into the 12V socket on the NOCO GC018.
Now we’re going to be connecting the ring terminal connectors on the battery cables and NOCO GC018 cables to the terminals on the battery.
Connect the positive cables from the inverter and battery cables to the positive terminal on the battery. (I just tightened the terminal bolts by hand. You can use a ratchet if needed.)
Connect the negative cables to the negative battery terminal. (Make sure the stripped ends on the charge controller cables don’t touch and short the battery!)
Here’s what my system looked like at this point:
Once you connect both sets of cables, your inverter is connected to your battery. Most inverters will have an LED indicator light up when it’s properly connected to let you know it’s on. For instance, a green light lit up on mine.
Before moving on, I decided to test the inverter by plugging in my wireless headphones first into the AC outlet using a wall adapter. When I did, the red light on my headphones lit up to let me know they were charging.
Then I plugged the headphones directly into the inverter’s USB outlet. Once again, the red charging light lit up.
Now to finish connecting the charge controller.
To do so, first locate the battery terminals on your charge controller. Most charge controllers, like mine, indicate them with a battery icon.
Insert the stripped end of the negative battery cable into the negative battery terminal on the charge controller. Tighten the screw terminal shut with a screwdriver.
Note: In my experience, order doesn’t matter here. You could also connect the positive battery cable first. I just arbitrarily chose to connect the negative cable first.
Give the battery cable a little tug to make sure it doesn’t come out. It should be in there tight.
I completed the connection from battery to charge controller by repeating this process for the positive battery cable. I inserted its stripped end into the positive battery terminal on the charge controller and tightened the terminal shut with a screwdriver.
At this point, your charge controller and inverter should both be on. Two LED indicators lit up on my charge controller to indicate it was properly connected to the battery. And, as we saw before, a green light lit up on my inverter.
Consult your controller’s manual for instructions on how to program it for your battery type and voltage.
On my controller, the Wanderer 30A, I held the grey button until the LED started flashing. Then I pressed the button until the LED turned the color code for my sealed lead acid battery. Then I held the button until the flashing stopped.
Inverter, charge controller, and battery are now all connected!
Now there’s only one last thing to connect:
Step 3: Connect the Solar Panel to the Charge Controller
Place your solar panel face down on the ground (on top of a towel or cushioned surface to prevent scratches). Doing so gives you better access to the panel’s cables and limits your chance of getting shocked.
Locate the positive solar cable on your solar panel. I found it on mine from the small plus sign on the junction box on the back of the panel.
You can also usually find it by looking for the male MC4 connector, which has a red rubber ring around it and occasionally a small plus sign on the connector body. (The male connector is on the positive wire on every solar panel I’ve worked with.)
Connect the MC4 inline fuse to the positive solar panel cable.
Connect the positive solar cable, positive solar extension cable (if using) and charge controller adapter cable like so:
Repeat the process for the negative solar cable (excluding the fuse). So for my setup, I connected the solar panel cable, extension cable, and adapter cable like so:
And here’s what they looked like when connected:
Now your solar panel is ready to be connected to your solar charge controller!
Locate the solar panel (PV) terminals on your charge controller. Mine has an icon of a solar panel indicating which ones they are.
Insert the stripped end of the negative solar cable in the screw terminal and use a screwdriver to screw it shut.
Do the same for the stripped end of the positive solar cable.
As you can see, once I inserted the positive solar cable, the PV indicator light on my charge controller turned on, telling me the solar panel was properly connected.
It held a steady green, which — according to the instruction manual — means the solar panel was not yet charging the battery. (This is expected because my solar panel was face down on the ground.)
To get your solar panel to start charging your battery, you just need to put it out in the sun.
Step 4: Test Your Solar Panel Setup
Take your solar panel outside and place it in direct sunlight.
Now look at your charge controller for an indication that the battery is charging. The PV light on mine started flashing green to let me know that the solar panel was charging the battery.
Here’s a video walkthrough of my complete solar panel setup:
Like I said, the green blinking light means my solar panel is charging my battery. Nice!
And here’s one final look at all the connections:
And that’s it — you now know how to set up your first solar panel system!
This system is a great beginner solar power project because it’s cheap, you learn a lot, and it can be used as is or expanded in countless ways.
How to Mount and Use This Solar Power System
Mount the solar panel at the best tilt angle for your location. You can use our solar panel angle calculator (or browse our list of the best solar panel angles by zip code) to find yours and mount it wherever you want — on the ground, on your roof, on a wall. One option is to use our simple DIY solar panel stand.
Mount the battery, inverter, and solar charge controller indoors, such as in a utility closet or cabinet. Ideally they are placed somewhere with AC to maximize the battery’s lifespan.
Plug your devices into the inverter. You can plug your phone charger, for example, directly into a USB outlet. You can plug some lights or a laptop charger into the AC outlet. Calculate the combined wattage of all your devices before connecting them to make sure you don’t overload the inverter.
That’s it! The solar panel will collect free solar energy during the day and store it in the battery for you to use whenever you want.
Add-ons and Upgrades
Add LED lighting. LED lights are bright and energy efficient. They’re the perfect choice for solar panel systems. You can plug them into the inverter or connect them directly to the battery like I do in my tutorial on how to solar power LED lights.
Add a battery temperature sensor. The Renogy Wanderer 30A used in this tutorial has a port for a battery temperature sensor whose probe you can tape to the battery for a more accurate battery temperature reading. This helps the charge controller maximize your battery’s lifespan by adjusting its charging parameters based on battery temperature.
Add Bluetooth monitoring. If using a compatible Renogy charge controller, you can remotely monitor your solar system from your phone with the Renogy BT-1 Bluetooth Module. Plug it in to your charge controller and connect your phone to it via the Renogy DC Home app. The app lets you monitor real-time system specs such as battery voltage, charging current, and more.
How To Use Solar Panels With A RV/Trailer/Fifth Wheel Pre-wired With A Furrion Solar Port
Solar panels have become popular among campers that do a lot of dry camping, also known as boondocking. RV and trailer manufacturers noticed this a couple of years ago and have put pre-wired ports on new models. Large brands like Grand Design and Forest River are two manufacturers that have done it.
These ports make it easy not only to recharge your RV house batteries when you are out camping but also when your trailer is in storage and you want to trickle charge the batteries.
I have been to a couple of RV dealerships that have tried to sell me solar panels that are compatible with these Furrion ports, but the fact is that you can connect any compatible third-party solar panel.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to use a solar panel with the Furrion solar port, I recommend the Acopower 100W solar panel (click to view on Amazon), paired with the Acopower Furrion adapter.
The panel above is compatible with the Furrion port as long as you also get the Furrion adapter.
I also recommend using an Acopower extension cable. That’s all you need, and most people don’t need more than 100W to charge their RV batteries. A 100W panel like this won’t output more than 10A, and is safe to use with the Furrion solar port.
To make your boondocking experience even better, I highly recommend getting a portable power station. For example, the Ecoflow River that has an expandable 288Wh battery capacity, three AC outlets, USB A and C ports, among other features.
The River can be charged with the Acopower panel above as long as you connect the included MC4 to XT60 adapter to the built-in bypass which doesn’t go through the charge controller.
Today I’ll show you how to use the Furrion solar port and share my solar panel recommendations.
The Adapter You’ll Need To Connect Third-Party Solar Panels To Furrion Solar Ports
The Furrion solar port is a rare 2 pin port, not found on most solar panels. You can probably imagine why they would do this (hint: they make proprietary solar panels that use this port).
Most solar panels nowadays come with MC4 connectors, so what we need is an adapter that will turn these MC4 connectors into the 2 pin connector used by Furrion.
Note that the female MC4 connector is the positive (red) wire, and the male connector is negative (black). This is compatible with most third-party panels from companies like Renogy, HQST, Newpowa, etc. It’s important that you buy the right adapter for your solar panel.
If you have a solar panel that has a positive female MC4 connector, and a negative male MC4 connector, the adapter you’ll need is the CNLEIFU MC4 to 2 Pin adapter.
What Makes A Solar Panel Compatible With The Furrion Solar Port
The Furrion ports I have seen (yours might be newer and different) have a 10A limit. 10A is 120W, so we want to stay below that to not blow a fuse.
Another thing you must know is that the Furrion pre-wiring is basically just an electrical wire going to your batteries with a fuse on it, nothing more. So you need to use a solar panel with a solar charge controller to prevent overcharging.
The Furrion solar port on your trailer will be the same no matter if you have a Grand Design or a Forest River RV.
Is There An Official Furrion Solar Panel?
Yes, Furrion has now released a 100W panel that includes a charge controller and the Furrion connector, so you don’t need to buy additional adapters.
Solar Panel Recommendations Compatible With The Furrion Solar Port
Now, let’s look at a couple of good solar panel options that come with a built-in solar charge controller. Paired with the Lixin MC4 to 2 Pin, you’ll be able to plug these panels into the Furrion port.
The links below take you to the product page on Amazon.com.
Renogy 100W Portable Foldable Monocrystalline Solar Panel – I have two of these, one with and one without a solar charge controller. I use them with my power station, but it’s also a great choice to charge RV batteries with. The adjustable kickstand makes it easy to angle the panels towards the sun, and the included protective case keeps it protected during travel. The solar charge controller tells you amperage, battery voltage, and charging status. Paired with the Lixin MC4 to 2 Pin it will work with your Furrion port.
Acopower 100W Portable Solar Kit – The Acopower 100W solar panel is one that sticks out because of the solar charger bypass. This allows you to charge both a power station and a 12V battery at the same time. To use this with a Furrion solar port, you would need the Acopower Furrion Adapter. Paired with a power station like the Jackery Explorer 500 that lets you use regular 120V electronics like TV, computers, and CPAPs, you could use the Acopower solar panel to recharge both your 12V trailer batteries and the portable lithium battery.
Renogy 12V 100W Monocrystalline Bundle Kit Solar Panel – You could also buy a solar panel kit like this that comes with a charge controller. You would connect the MC4 wires to the charge controller (female to positive, male to negative), then connect the positive male MC4 connector from the panel to the female MC4 connector you set up in the charge controller, and the negative female from the solar panel to the negative male from the charge controller. The charge controller clearly shows where the solar panel wires go vs the output wires to the battery.
Then you’d need some Renogy MC4 Extension Cables to make the connection between the charge controller and the Lixin MC4 to 2 Pin. Just make sure you connect the MC4 male to the positive on the charge controller (by the battery icon).
Extension Cables
Most solar panels have relatively short cables, so you won’t be able to put the solar panel very far away from the port.
Therefore, I recommend using MC4 extension cables between the solar panel and the adapter. I use and recommend Windynation MC4 Extension cables. You can choose from many lengths, and I have taped mine together with electrical tape to make them easier to deal with.
Before purchasing extension cables, you need to consider the total amperage your panel is going to output. A 100W panel will output about 6A, and I recommend using this calculator (click on Solar Cable Gauge Calculator) to get an understanding of how long an extension cable can be with a specific gauge before the voltage loss will exceed 3%. Below the calculator, you can also see the maximum current for different wire sizes.
What Can A 100W Solar Panel Run?
A 100W solar panel connected to your batteries will charge the batteries so you can use 12V appliances in your camper, like your water pump, furnace fan, 12V TV, and lights.
It will not power outlets or run your microwave, air conditioner, or 120V TV.
To power your outlets with your 12V batteries, you need an inverter that changes 12V DC power to 120V AC power. An example of an inverter like this is the KRIËGER 1100 Watt 12V Power Inverter. It’s wired to your battery, then you can plug your 120V devices directly into it.
Since it’s a little bit harder to install an inverter than plugging in a cable, a popular solution nowadays is to buy a solar generator. A solar generator usually contains a 12V lithium battery, a solar charge controller, and an inverter that powers regular 120V AC outlets.
I use a EcoFlow Delta Max that has 2016 watt-hours and a 2400W inverter, so I plug my travel trailer into it with a Camco 15A to 30A.
This allows me to use the outlets and run everything in my camper. It even runs the AC on my short class C, but it only takes an hour to drain the battery when doing that.
I charge the EcoFlow with 200W of solar panels on my RV roof. When I plug the Delta Max into my camper, it charges my 12V trailer batteries as well.
I do, however, have a 100W panel kit installed on the roof connected directly to my RV batteries, otherwise the Delta Max would lose a lot more electricity just to trickle charge the batteries.
How Long Will It Take To Recharge My RV Batteries?
This question is hard to answer in one sentence without knowing the battery capacity and solar panel size, therefore I wrote a post that goes through this. Click here to view it.
Can I Use Goal Zero Solar Panels?
Goal Zero solar panels don’t have a charge controller built-in, so in order to connect one to a Furrion port, you would have to wire a charge controller in between. It would be possible with a Boulder 100 but not a Boulder 200 because of the amperage.
Let me know if you have questions by leaving a comment down below.
Pick up Renogy’s 100W solar panel and 10A PWM charge controller for 113 in today’s New Green Deals
Whether you’re looking to convert your RV or shed over to solar, today’s New Green Deal is a great choice. Combining Renogy’s 100W solar panel with a 10A PWM charge controller, today’s discount falls to just 113 at Amazon, marking the best price that we’ve seen in months. Ready to deliver up to 400Wh of charge per day with only four hours of sunlight, this kit is also quite efficient while also being budget-focused. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Head below for other New Green Deals that we’ve found today and of course Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Start your off-grid transition with this solar combo kit
Amazon is offering the Renogy 100W Solar Panel with 10A PWM Charge Controller for 112.99 shipped. Down from 130, this 13% discount amounts to the largest price drop that we’ve seen since July. With the ability to output up to 400Wh per day with just four hours of sunlight availability, this solar panel is perfect for applications like RVs, campers, or even sheds. It has the ability to withstand up to 2400Pa wind and up to 5400Pa of snow loads, making it a great choice all around for your setup. Included in the package alongside the 100W solar panel is a 10A PWM Wanderer solar charge controller that uses efficient PWM charging in order to “increase battery life and improve system performance.” There’s also a pre-drilled mount with plug-and-play cables to make setting up the solar panel a simple task.
Jetson’s Knight electric scooter with over 15 miles of range falls to new 339 low at Amazon
Amazon is offering the Jetson Knight Electric Scooter for 338.99 shipped once you clip the on-page coupon. Down from its normal rate of 500, today’s deal marks a new all-time low that we’ve tracked, coming in at 51 below the previous best price at Amazon. This electric scooter is designed to be easy to take with you from place to place as you travel throughout the city. It can collapse to make it simple to pick up, and also store when you arrive at a destination. The 350W motor can propel the scooter up to 15.5MPH and even lets it climb hills up to 15 degrees. The built-in rechargeable battery lasts for up to 16 miles on a single charge as well, which is more than enough for getting around the city once you park somewhere, or even traveling to work or the store. Of course, not a single drop of gas or oil will be required for this scooter to function. Keep reading for more.
Save 650 on Segway’s Ninebot electric GoKart PRO at its second-best price of 1,650
Amazon is now offering the Segway Ninebot Electric GoKart PRO for 1,650 shipped. Normally fetching 2,300, you’re looking at the second-best price to date following a 650 discount. This is 50 under our previous mention and delivering a notable chance to save for unwrapping some electric kart action come Christmas. Geared for riders weighing up to 220 pounds, the Ninebot GoKart PRO can handle zipping you or the kids around the block at up to 23 MPH top speeds with a 15-mile range. Its durable design can also be folded down for transportation, and pairs with other features like an electric brake, integrated headlights, and taillights. You can also detach the included Ninebot S MAX which powers the experience for a self-balancing scooter ride alongside the go kart fun.
On the more affordable front of putting some gokart action underneath the Christmas tree, Amazon is also marking down the Segway Ninebot S GoKart kit to 1,239.97. This package is down to one of the best ever from its usual 1,550 price tag and arrives with 310 in savings attached. It isn’t going to be quite as capable of a cruising machine as the Pro version above, but can handle hitting 10 MPH top speeds with a 13.7-mile range. This Ninebot S model is geared towards riders up to 220 pounds, and can also convert between the four- and two-wheeled configurations.
New Tesla deals
After checking out the 100W solar panel kit on sale above, if you keep read, you’ll find a selection of new green deals that will make your Tesla experience better in multiple areas. From storage to keep recordings on to phone mounts, car chargers, and anything else we can find, it’ll be listed below. Each day we’ll do our best to find new and exciting deals and ways for you to save on fun accessories for your Tesla, making each trip unique. For more gift ideas and deals, check out the best Tesla shop. Keep reading on for e-bike, Greenworks, and other great deals.
- SimpleTire offers up to 20% off thousands of tires
- Discount Tire offers up to 100 off or more on Cooper, Bridgestone, and other tires
- Model 3 CupHolderHero: 12 (Reg. 14)
- Spigen OneTap MagSafe car mounts now up to 38% off starting at 27 via Amazon
- Bring MagSafe to your ride with iOttie’s premium Velox car mount at 42.50
New e-bike deals electric scooter discounts
You can use an e-bike or electric scooter for fun, exercise, or even transportation to and from work or the coffee shop. We have several people here that will regularly commute to coffee shops or offices on their e-bike, as it cuts down on fossil fuel usage as well as allows them to enjoy some time outdoors on nice sunny days. Below, you’ll find a wide selection of new e-bike deals and electric scooter deal in all price ranges, so give it a look if that’s something you’d be interested in picking up. As always, the newest e-bike deal and electric scooter discounts and sales will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.
- Hit the road with up to 790 off Huck Cycles
- Hover-1’s Blackhawk electric scooter with 28-mile range hits new low at 405
- Juiced e-bikes 0% APR financing available
- Micah Toll’s favorite low-cost folding electric bike, the Lectric XP 3.0: 999 (Reg. 1,099)
- Kent Electric Pedal Assist Mountain Bike: 698 (Reg. 998)
- Gotrax’s just-released G MAX electric scooter sees first discount at 100 off, more
Additional New Green Deals
After shopping the 100W solar panel kit on sale above, be sure to check out the other discounts we found today. These new green deals are wide-ranging from outdoor lawn equipment to anything else we find that could save you money in various ways, be that cutting gas and oil out of your life or just enjoying other amenities that energy-saving gear can bring. As always, the newest deals will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.
Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.
How Does Wiring Solar Panels In Parallel Affect it’s Volts Amps?
Here we see four – 100w solar panels wired in parallel, which means all of the positive wires are connected and all of the negative wires are connected. Since Wiring solar panels in parallel adds their amperages while their voltages stay the same, we would add 5555 amps to get a total of 20 amps at 20 volts heading into the charge controller. We installed 400 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 20 V 20A equals 400W for 100% array efficiency. This means, of the 400 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see all 400w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
How Does Wiring Solar Panels In Series Affect it’s Volts Amps?
Here we see 4, 100w solar panels wired in series, which means that the positives and negatives of neighboring panels are wired together with the positives and negatives of the end-panels are going to the charge controller. Since Wiring solar panels in series adds their voltages while their amperages stay the same, we would add 20202020 to get a total array voltage of 80volts and 5 amps heading to the charge controller. We installed 400 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 80 V 5A equals 400W for 100% array efficiency. This means, of the 400 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see all 400w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
How Does Wiring Solar Panels In Series-Parallel Affect it’s Volts Amps?
Here, we see 4 100w solar panels wired in series parallel. In this array, pairs of panels are wired in series with the two resulting series strings wired in parallel.
Since solar panels wired in series adds their voltages while their amperages stay the same which means that for each of the two series strings, we would add 20v 20v which gives us a total of 40v and 5a for each of the two series string.
Since series strings wired in parallel adds their amperages while their voltages stay the same, we would add 5a 5a for a total of 10A at 40V heading to the charge controller.
We installed 400 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 40 V 10A equals 400W for 100% array efficiency. This means, of the 400 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see all 400w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
Now that we have out solar panel array basics covered; lets’ talk about wiring different sizes of solar panels in the array.
How does Wiring Different Sized Solar Panels Together Affect the Array Voltage Amperage?
When mismatched solar panel sizes or mismatched solar panel series-strings are wired in parallel or series, the affect is VERY similar to the guidelines posted earlier, except for one change.
- Solar Panels wired in series gets their voltages added while their amps stay at the lowest amperage of the panels in series.
- Solar Panels (or series strings) wired in parallel get their amperages added together while their voltages stay at the lowest voltage of the panels (or series strings) wired in parallel.
What Happens when Different Solar Panel Sizes are Wired in Parallel?
For this example, we have two – 200w solar panels and 2 x 100 w solar panels. The two 100w solar panels are operating at 20V and 5 amps and the 200w panels are operating at 25V and 8 amps.
If we were to wire all of these panels in parallel, solar panels in parallel adds their amperages while their voltages stay the same. This means we would add 8A 8A 5A 5A for a total of 26 amps heading to the charge controller. Now, although the volts stay the same in a parallel wired array, since we have different panel voltages, we must use the lowest common denominator, which is 20V. So we have 20 volts at 26A amps heading to the charge controller.
We installed 600 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 20 V 26A equals 520W for only 86% array efficiency. This means, of the 600 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see only 520w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
What Happens when Different Solar Panel Sizes are Wired in Series?
For this example, we have two – 200w solar panels and 2 x 100 w solar panels. The two 100w solar panels are operating at 20V and 5 amps and the 200w panels are operating at 25V and 8 amps.
If we were to wire all of these panels in series, solar panels in series adds their voltages while their amperages stay the same. we would add 25v 25v 20v 20v to get a total of 90 volts heading to the charge controller. Now, although the amps stay the same in series wired arrays, since we have different panel amperages, we must use the lowest common denominator, which is 5 amps. So we have 90 volts at 5 amps heading to the charge controller.
We installed 600 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 90 V 5A equals 450W for only 75% array efficiency. This means, of the 600 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see only 450w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
What Happens when Different Solar Panel Sizes are Wired in Series-Parallel?
Now, lets say we were able to find solar panels of different wattages, but their voltages are the same, or at least REALLY similar: In the earlier example of mismatched solar panels wired in parallel, our 20V at 26A figure MAY not produce enough array voltage to really let our MPPT solar charge controller do it’s job properly, OR we are installing a 24v battery bank and we need to boost the array voltage to a more appropriate level (Panel array voltage MUST be at leave 5V higher than battery bank voltage).
This array shows mismatched panel sizes of 100w and 200w, but we were fortunately able to find panels with similar voltages.
Wiring the similar wattage solar panels in series would yield 40V at 10A for the 200w panels and 40v at 5 amps for the 100w panels. Wiring those two series strings in parallel would yield 40v at 15A since 10A plus 5A equals 15 amps and the volts stay the same at 40.
We installed 600 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 40 V 15A equals 600W for 100% array efficiency. This means, of the 600 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see the full 600w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions.
Great! So, we can just always wire similar panels in series and wire those series strings in parallel, right? Not so fast…
When Mixing Solar Panel Sizes is Not Advised
Same solar panels as last time, but if the three 200w solar panels were wired in series and the 100w solar panels were wired in series, then those series strings were wired in parallel, by all of the same math we’ve been using for the previous however-many diagrams, we would end up with 60V at 10A for the 200w series string, 40v at 5a for the 100w series string, and 40v at 15A for the total array.
We installed 800 watts of solar panels and by using watts law of V x A = Watts we can see that 40 V 15A equals 600W for 75% array efficiency. This means, of the 800 watts of panels installed, we can expect to see only 600w of power heading into the charge controller under ideal conditions, which means that the two 100w panels are effectively useless in this array and by just using the 3, 200w panels in series, we could expect the same amount of power output with fewer panel
What Happens When Dissimilar Solar Panel Series Strings are Wired in Parallel?
If you are wanting to install, say, seven panels into your array; the only possible ways to wire these without severe power loss are series OR parallel. NOT series-parallel. Here’s why:
These seven 200w panels have operating voltages of 17V and an operating amperage of 11.76A. Let’s say our charge controller has a maximum voltage input of 100V which we must stay below. If we wired the 7 solar panels in series, we would see an array operating voltage of 119V; which would exceed the capabilities of the charge controller (NOTE: When sizing the charge controller; the Open Circuit Voltage AND temperature compensation must be used. info: https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=MxziHKvTRh8). Wiring in purely parallel is not advised due to reasons we’ve discussed here: https://www.explorist.life/solar-panels-series-vs-parallel/ so to combat these issues, wiring the array in series-parallel is the common fix. Since 7 panels can’t be evenly divided (Those damn prime numbers strike again!), let’s see what happens when 2 series strings of three are wired in parallel with a single panel like the diagram above.
The two series strings get their voltages added while their amps stay the same, resulting in 51V and 11.76A per series string.
The Two series strings and the single panels wired in parallel get their amperages added while their voltages remain at the lowest common voltage from the wires coming into the combiner. This means that the array is operating at 35.28 amps and 17V. Using watts law of Amps x Volts = Watts we can see that 35.28A x 17V = 599.76W. Since we installed 1400W of solar on the roof; wiring as previously described will yield a measly 42% efficiency rate.
Literally omitting the 7th panel and only using 6 panels in a 3s2p configuration would yield twice as much power as having 7 panels wired as previously described.
Another fix – If 7 panels was truly desired in this scenario; a charge controller capable of handling the higher voltage should be purchased so the panels could be wired with all 7 panels wired in series.
Finishing up…
Unequal solar panels CAN be used in the same array, but proper array planning is CRITICAL to avoid array inefficiencies. But… If array inefficiencies are unavoidable, make sure you account for this in your power audit and manage expectations by making sure you understand how these inefficiencies can impact your system performance.