Controller/regulator for small solar panel

[OutThere]

I knew this was the place to ask. Thanks to all for your input.

[mdbee]

You might want to go back and read up a little more. My Morningstar does have 4 different cycles depending on battery level and time.

http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/su...DuoENG2_11.pdf

I would recommend for the OP to call the different manufacturers for accurate information after getting some initial information via the Internet. See who makes the most sense.

Originally Posted by noelex77

Yes it does, but good regulators have PWM at 4 different voltage points. Equalize (15.5v), bulk (14.9v),absorption(14.0v) and float (13.8v). The voltages for these points should be adjustable for different batteries, but I have shown typical values in the brackets. The time spent at each of these voltages should also be adjustable.
The regulator cycles through these voltage points the depending on the state of charge of the batteries.
A simple regulator like the Morningstar does not do this. It uses one voltage only (14.1v)



The main reason is that the solar panel voltage is high enough to damage equipment without the battery, even with the regulator, these voltages may be reached. You could also inadvertently still short circuit a wire that you thought had no power (because the battery was disconnected)