PWM Charge Controllers: Everything You Need to Know

Are you interested in solar power? That’s awesome! The benefits that solar energy brings include the savings on money, and it also helps save the planet, and it works great with no electricity. Having a good charge controller in your solar system will make everything work well. PWM charge controller is one of the popular types. In this post, we’ll break down PWM Charge Controllers: Everything You Need to Know in a way that’s easy, clear, and straightforward manner.

What Is a PWM Charge Controller?

Let’s start with the basics. PWM stands for Pulse Width Modulation. The PWM charge controller links your solar panel to your battery while controlling how the battery is charged. Your battery won’t overcharge or get damaged thanks to this.

Picture it as a traffic cop for electricity. So your battery stays healthy and safe, it tells the energy from your solar panel when to go, when to slow down and when to stop.

Why Use a PWM Charge Controller?

Here are the great reasons for using a PWM charge controller:

• Affordable: They are less costly than other types.
• Reliable: Small solar setups work best with them.
• Simple to Use: One does not require an expert to use.
• Protects Your Battery: It prevents overcharging and overheating of your battery.

For a basic solar setup of a small home, camper or garden light, a PWM controller could be a perfect option.

How Does a PWM Charge Controller Work?

The magic of a PWM controller is when it matches your solar panel voltage to your battery voltage. As your battery charges, the controller exerts control to reduce the amount of power coming in to keep your battery from getting too supplied.

For example, if your solar panel is 18 volts and your battery is for 12 volts. The power it adjusts is the power necessary to fill your thin safely without frying it.

In its short pulses power, they are really fast on-off bursts. That’s why it is known as “Pulse Width Modulation”. The controller determines the amount of power hitting the battery through changing the length of each pulse.

When Should You Choose a PWM Controller?

After understanding what a PWM charge controller is, when do you need to use it?

• For the following reasons, you should choose a PWM controller:
• The voltage from your solar panel to the battery is the same.
• We are building a solar system for you budget friendly
• Compared to other gas generators, it only needs to power small devices
• Super high efficiency isn’t a good reason to avoid solar

For instance, if you are installing solar lights, your phone, or any small fan, a PWM charge controller is great.

PWM vs MPPT: What’s the Difference?

You may run into discussions of MPPT charge controllers as well. That stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking. These are more expensive to purchase, but they yield more usable power from your solar panels.

Here’s a quick comparison:

So, if you only need a power bank to charge or to light up your back garden shed, then PWM is the way to go. If you are actually building a full blown home solar system then MPPT is probably what you want.

How to Choose the Right PWM Charge Controller

If you are looking to select a PWM charge controller, do not just start randomly shopping for the first one you see. Think about these things first:

1. Battery Voltage

Check the controller is compatible with your battery as well. The number of 12V and 24V batteries which are supported by most PWM controllers.

2. Current Rating (Amps)

Find out how much current your solar panel supplies. That amount will have to be handled safely by your controller. For instance, if the panel puts out 8 amps it should be run on a controller rated for 10 amps or more.

3. Load Control Options

Some controllers can directly power lights or small fans. In case you need this feature, have a model with load terminals.

4. Display Screen or Indicators

It allows you to see what’s going on via a screen. There you can check the battery level, the current charge status, and other.

5. Brand and Reviews

Avoid untrusted brands and see what other people are saying about it. If your controller is cheap and fails extremely quickly then it can use up your battery.

How to Set Up a PWM Charge Controller

It’s setting it up that brings ominous calculator noises, and feels like plugging in a phone charger. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Connect the Battery First: It is always safe to connect the battery before connecting the solar panel.
2. Match the Wires: Red wire to positive (+), black wire to negative (–).
3. Connect the Solar Panel Next: Then plug in your panel wires to the battery.
4. Use Correct Sizes: Ensure that the current your wires are able to take.
5. Check the Lights: Status lights or a screen is shown by most controllers.

Never mix up the order. If you first connect the panel, you can damage your controller.

Tips for Taking Care of Your PWM Charge Controller

If you want your PWM controller to last a long time, follow these smart tips:

• Keep it Cool: Install it in a well-ventilated and shady spot.
• Avoid Water: Don’t let it get wet or damp.
• Clean it Occasionally: Vents and screens can be blocked by dust.
• Watch for Errors: When something’s wrong some controllers beep or flash.
• Don’t Overload It: Don’t plug in too many devices than its amp rating allows.

Are There Any Downsides to PWM Controllers?

Well yes, but that’s not a deal breaker as long as you use them the right way.

• If your panel voltage is higher than your battery, then they waste extra solar panel power.
• With larger or complex solar systems, they don’t work well.
• For best results, you have to bring panel and battery voltage into an exact match.

But for small setups, the benefits still outweigh these downsides.

Where Can You Use PWM Charge Controllers?

You can find PWM controllers in lots of everyday solar projects, such as:

• Backyard solar lights 
• Camping solar kits 
• DIY phone charging stations 
• Remote weather stations 
• Boats and RVs 
• Garden water pumps

If it’s small, off-grid, and uses solar, a PWM charge controller probably fits right in.

Conclusion

Hopefully our guide has given you some clarity! You know now how PWM Charge Controllers work as well as when you should use them.

If this is your first dab into solar gear, don’t sweat the high end stuff. PWM is a simple, cheap, easy to run controller for your system. As long as you choose the correct size and wire properly, and just keep it clean.

Solar power isn’t only for engineers or adults. It is possible for anyone (including you) to build a small solar setup and use at least some clean, free energy. Starting to do this this weekend?

FAQs

Can I use a PWM controller for a 100W solar panel?

Yes, so long as your controller is handling how much current (amps) from the panel.

Can I use PWM with lithium batteries?

However, some PWM controllers support lithium batteries but you’d better check out the manual.

Do I need a PWM controller for my solar lights?

You don’t get yourself another if your lights have built-in controllers. A PWM controller brings safety to the charging process and is most applicable in DIY setups.

Read More – How to Calculate the Right Size Battery