MPPT VS PWM || Solar Charge Controller 

What? A video on friday? Long story short, I will be going on vacation tomorrow and take a small break from producing videos. So this is basically the video for sunday. But don't be scared, there will probably be another video ready for the next sunday.

4 years later this information is still gold... Anyone else admiring the neatness of his handwriting? That alone makes the video more plausible and the results from the calculations, as well as his conclusions more believable. 😃

for some reason I find this really satisfying seeing your face saying "Stay creative and I will see you next time"

GREAT VIDEO!!! And I agree with everyone else. SO GLAD you finally came in front of the camera!!! :-D

The final calculations were shocking to me, but they confirmed how AWESOME you are to not hesitate to show real numbers even if you don't like the outcome. Keeping it real! I like that!

Nice to see you on friday!!!!

Mppt really comes into its own with larger systems where the PV voltage is configured to be much higher than the battery through series connection of panels. In either case though, the energy harvested over the whole day will be significantly greater with a good mppt controller. Really enjoyed the video mate, cheers!

I saw you face GreatScott at first time. Thank you very much great video every times. Especially I love your schematics drawing beauty. Thank a lot.

Great video to watch on a Friday, regards Scott!

Video quality just got better, keep it up scott

finally got to see man behind such a great show, thanks for being inspiration for plenty of my diy projects.

This is a really good presentation. You have included considerations that nobody else has thought of. Good work.

first time to see great Scott face not disappointed at all. looks awesome dude 😉

Something that you didn't mention is the main function of the MPPT is to vary the voltage or current in order to maximize the power generated depending on the temperature and irradiance of the PV panels. This is specially important during days with lots of clouds in the sky since partial shading of panels can really decrease the power generation if this is not compensated by an MPPT module.

This is a really good video, keep them up like this man. It's good to see your channel evolve

Yep he is human after all. Just like everyone else. Do not panic people.

I've watched many (but not all) of your videos, and this is the first time I've actually seen your face!! But Thank you.. You confirmed with what I thought on my small project and I appreciate it.

Thank you for showcasing and explaining the different concepts so easily in this video.

I like this format with the intro and outros, nice touch!

although I've only subbed recently.... now i finally find the video that reveals the face behind the voice... so clear yet concise... overall I gotta admit I am learning from your content as time goes on.

Very interesting video. Everytime you upload something, I feel more motivated about doing a electronics project myself. Keep doing such great work!

Thank you for making these kinds of videos! I really get a lot of information from them. They add much value day.

Crazy! Never thought you looked like that. It's great to see the face behind the videos 👍

I always appreciate the formulas and detail! excellent work as always. that guy about the Stirling engine has an interesting point to followup on.

Thank you so much for making a video about this! I've been scavenging parts to build a portable solar generator for a while now. This video was VERY helpful! P.S. It depends how damp your garage is and how cold that block wall gets in the winter but keep an eye on those exposed terminals they can corrode quite quickly if condensation is present. If that happens adding a plywood backboard and/or some dielectric grease should remedy the problem. I see it alot in mains electrical panels.

Thank you really much for the comparison! This helped me a lot. I think I will firstly get a PWM-Controller, since they are not that expensive and I can always upgrade to an MPPT-Controller later down the road. Enjoy your vacation!

Great video...thanks. Im a EE and q General class radio operator. I built a 125aH portable battery power box, for my power needs outdoors for long weekends operating radios and everything else I needed for my comfort...fan, lamps ect ect. I use a $15 no name charge controller now for about 6 years of regular use. It performs very well.

You forgot one of the most important points about MPPT vs PWM! Most PWM controllers will not work until the output voltage of the panel reaches a certain voltage, but a MPPT panel can boost low panel output during early morning and evening sunlight. This means that you get more hours of battery charging during the day from MPPT instead of PWM.

I think the true value of the MPPT will become apparent when there is partial shading on the solar panel or when it is cloudy.

I watch your videos all the time and that is really great.!!! Please continue.

This is my first time to watch your video with you in the front explaining anything.

Good to see you after a long time.

Hi @GreatScott! Great video, thank you.

Thank you so much for this. I know product reviews are not really your thing, but this was totally relevant. I hope to see additional videos like this in the future.

Love your videos, thanks so much! Have a great vacation!

Really enjoyed this different style of video, keep it up!

Excellent explanation and comparison! I don’t feel so bad about my cheap PWM controller for now but may upgrade to a better quality unit later.

Excellent both in writing and in verbalizing clear into the point

Nice surprise to see you, awesome work you are doing mate... Helps a lot to nerds like me

Thank you GreatScott, good and useful video. Have a nice vacation somewhere warm and sunny.

nice to see you scott.

first time greatscott! notification scares me,,, but later only I realized this is not Sunday ENJOY YOUR VACATION Scott!

Man you are making great videos, just keep up with good work. Greatings from Serbia :D

Can't wait for a diy mppt charge controller...

Was just browsing for controllers on eBay and wondering about the price differences. Great video - thanks!

Enjoy your vacation, you deserve it for all your efforts !!

GreatScott that was an excellent review.... at the end of the day I will stay with my BlueSolar controller. Thanks mate.

what an absolute hunk! great vid

I don't know if you have appeared on your channel before I subscribed to it. but It is great to see you, generally I think great scott with flashing LEDs only. I always thought of you a mentor, and your projects inspired me.

My sincere respects for this guy who take seriously efficiency analitical energy costs. You are a true hero. Cheers from Argentina!!

Always like your videos, keep up the good work. I really wish my hand writing was as nice as yours.

nice to see you on camera. great job..

Very innovative videos you are making, and specially your handwriting is great

Very thoughtful comparison. On with my learning!

Excellent video as always.

Love your handwriting - so neat😃

I purchased some MPT7210a controllers, mostly because I use a mix of 230w, 285w, 300w panels charging a 60v LiFePO4 stack. It's fun to watch them compete with one another to push current into the batteries when the system is under load

Great video, GreatScott! It's great to see somebody saying to do the math before choosing between MPPT and PWM. It seems a lot of people think MPPT is more efficient than PWM so that's all you need to know - go with MPPT! But PWM makes sense for many people. You really have to do the math for your particular system in addition to taking other factors into consideration (like build quality, etc.). I built a solar system for my truck camper back in 2009. I wanted to go with a high quality charge controller so I bought a Morningstar PWM. It cost me $155 US but it is a solid, excellent quality controller that is still working flawlessly today. The MPPT version of the same controller was almost $380, $225 more than the PWM version. I added an extra solar panel to my array to make up for the difference between PWM and MPPT. The MPPT controller would have given me 39% more watts to my batteries (at the most, not all the time). The extra panel gave me 36% more wattage, so nearly the same advantage. And the extra panel was $100 instead of the extra $225 for the MPPT controller. So it saved me $125 over going with MPPT. And for 9 years now the system has been working great.

I appreciate your practical view of the two type of charger

awesome mate. keep up the good work

Great video great format

Great Video! THANKS SCOTT!!

OMG I thought you are middle aged guy with this knowledge :o You really have done your lessons and research well!

Thought great scott was around 40. Not disappointed

Thank you again for another creative and informative video.

Planning to install solar panel, this helps a lot. thanks

THANK YOU for doing this topic!!

Great to meet you in "person"!

Great information. Thanks for the upload 👍

Uei! Finally I see the man behind the voice. Thank you for the video. All together, what I think in the end is that it does not mater if a solar panel can produce energy for 25 years if a solar charge controller need to be replaced after some years (meaning more money) and if you consider the price of energy you will get in the same price as if you paid the monthly bill. I like solar but I have doubts about the final cost.

I like the new Style of this Video. You make you more present in the Video and i like it. More of this would be awesome

Nice to see your face Scott :) I already by an anself for my solo solar panel in my greenhouse ! If i had to buy home for home i agree i'll buy the mppt one.

Great video mate cheers!!

Interesting results you got there. Nice Video, i will soon build a Solar System in my garden, which isn't connected to the grid either. Btw i saw in a video that you drive a simson too :) I am currently doing some cool electronic modifcations to mine. I have build a quickshifter, which cuts the ignition for 80ms while shifting, thus resulting in smooth clutchless shifting without getting of the gas either.

Your vids have become much better.keep up bro 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

For many people the solar efficiency is not a monetary matter. Instead...it is their only way to obtain any energy so the extra power you can capture on any given day is priceless. Nice video!

Thanks for the testing victron has the best stuff, 5 year warranty solid desighn and regular updates cover the higher price for me. I love thear concept and also bought a multi compact and a BMV700.

Thank you. You are a great person and we hope for more

Thanks to review Scott

I also have a small solar off-grid system and I used a PWM charge controller from Steca for a long time. This charge controller is absolutely great for small solar systems and its of high quality as well. But I also bought the MPPT charge controller from Victron with a integrated bluetooth module and it works just fine. I think a PWM charge controller from a well known brand like Steca is a safe choice unless you want to build a bigger solar system.

Finally I see a video that starts with our hero GreatSCott himself!

Hi your systems is very good, Congratulations from Brazil

Please take apart the cheap charge controllers!

good production, camera work.

That intro was amazing cause you came in front of the camera. :)

Feel good to hear you, also to see you

One thing you neglected with the first PWM controller has a variable input power setting from 13.7 (default) to 15 volts, the 15 volt setting would bring in not 3 amps but upwards of 16 amps depending and your current battery charge state.

love the new intro and outro :)

Have a nice holiday, and come back with some more great ideas...

great (scott) video.

Nice video well explained ☺️

Thanks. It would be nice to get a little theory of operation between the MPPT and PWM chargers. Good work on the vid as it's good to see real numbers. Learned about you from your interview on the Amphour!

i like your channel and specially your voice . Now i am happy yo see your video also. Thanks

Great video!

I also like the talking to the camera video format.

Great vid. PLEASE make a "diy or buy" video about the mppt controller

i was always worried to see your face on camera lol, i like your videos thanks

Thanks man! Finally i saw someone talks about solar . Thank you and by the way you are so handsome!

Great! good to see you.😃

Great video, in my experience a propper battery is more important. There are many cheapo solutions outthere but there build quality REALLY matters.