I picked this up to test as a compact, low power, dual battery (FLA and LIFE) controller for the Powkey 60w
medium solar wallets I got recently. It's difficult to find a small MPPT controller, and harder still to find
one that supports both battery chemistries, but it would save space in the wallet pouch, and the slightly higher
cost should be countered by only needing to pack one controller. It's rated 250w but only 10a, so you'll only
see above 150w on a 24v battery system.
This wasn't an overpriced controller, but it still cost a lot ($28) compared to the solar wallet. ($44) Having
received it, it's got a nice "solid" feel to it, doesn't feel cheaply made. Also it has a plastic and aluminum
housing but it feels surprisingly dense and heavy. I'll be replacing the SAE connectors with powerpoles and
get it tested shortly. I think this will work well in my Powkey solar wallet, where I currently have two small
controllers crammed into the pouch - one for FLA and one for LIFE. Having one controller that can do both
will save space, and if it's truly MPPT I should get slightly better results too.
It's so easy to hook up an SAE connector with the wrong polarity, so keep an eye on this one. The MC4 pigtail
it ships with has the correct polarity as the panel connector on the controller, but the other end is anybody's
guess as to what you have on your end for the battery. It also came with a little SAE gender changing plug,
just make sure you use it if you need it, and don't use it if you don't need it. Red to red, or it'll be dead!
One of the reviewers on Amazon saved me the trouble of cracking it open for a peek, I've included the pictures
below. That nice fat inductor means it's using an efficient buck regulator, often seen on proper MPPT controllers.
The power wires are 14 gauge and feel heavy enough to be pure copper. The strain reliefs at the controller are
rock hard, which means they won't actually protect the wires from bending damgage, so avoid straining the wires
sideways. (the strain reliefs on the SAE ends are great)
I ran into one other minor issue while replacing the SAE with powerpoles - the ink on the white label on the side
easily rubs off and you lose your serial number. You might want to write that number down when unboxing it, or
cover the label with some clear packing tape to protect it.
