Sunsaver20 solar controller question.

[Tim francis]

I’m pretty sure but just wanted to make sure I can’t turnnup the amps and voltage coming in my four bank 6 volt fla batteries. I bought a land based controller that I can change the amp input for my van. I’m considering taking it out of my van and putting it on the boat. Thanks

[belizesailor]

The SunSaver is really basic. There are only a couple of adjustments which are made with external jumpers.

[Sailmonkey]

You have one adjustment, the maximum voltage. This is changed by adding or removing a jumper for either Agm or flooded led acid.

You cannot turn up the amps on any controller.....that’s controlled by the solar panels (quantity of watts). The voltage is adjustable but if you’re consuming more amp hours in a day than your charging sources can replenish no fancy solar charge controller will help.

You really need to buy a clamp meter that will measure DC current and figure out where your power is going, the. Concentrate on ways to replenish it.

[Tim francis]

I have the jumper removed.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Mult.../dp/B00NWGZ4XC
Can I get by with a cheap clamp meter or should I get something in the hundred dollar range. This would help me a lot. Thanks for the advise. I have a multimeter and a test light.

[newhaul]

What panels , what controller?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Tim francis

I have the jumper removed.

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Mult.../dp/B00NWGZ4XC

Can I get by with a cheap clamp meter or should I get something in the hundred dollar range. This would help me a lot. Thanks for the advise. I have a multimeter and a test light.

You’re going g to need a meter that measures DC amps. The one you linked to does not. I’ve got a nice fluke that was about $250 and a cheaper craftsman meter....they’re close enough to each other for your purposes. Browse through amazon until you find one that measures dc amps.

[Tim francis]

I have four panels. The two bigger ones, I can’t read the info. The labels at faded The two smaller ones I can read. The controller is the above picture. Sunsaver 20 with the jumper removed.

[Tim francis]

The picture didn’t come out good. It says on the smaller ones max 20 watt
Model 20 p
Open circuit voltage 22.0 volt
Short circuit voltage 1.23 volts
Operative voltage 17.5 volts
Operatine current 1.14 amps
Maximum system voltage 600 volts

[Sailmonkey]

From the looks of it you have less than 100 watts of solar.

Mixed with your other threads, you don’t need more batteries, you need better ways to charge the batteries you’ve got.

Get yourself a dc clamp meter and really get an handle on how much power you’re burning. I’ve a hunch you’re really burning a whole lot more than you realize.

[Tim francis]

https://www.amazon.com/Voltcraft-VC3.../dp/B00X3RS59U

This one I can afford right now. Shows ac and dc

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Tim francis

https://www.amazon.com/Voltcraft-VC3.../dp/B00X3RS59U



This one I can afford right now. Shows ac and dc

That’ll work. It will help you figure out how much current is going in and out.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Tim francis

I have four panels. The two bigger ones, I can’t read the info. The labels at faded The two smaller ones I can read. The controller is the above picture. Sunsaver 20 with the jumper removed.

looks like you have about 50 watts worth of panels the controller will work but you only have about 3 amps coming out of the panels in the best of conditions. Will take a month of sunny days to even think of charging one pair of the gc2's that's with no drain. If the controller in your van is an mppt controller then it will help to change them out. If its also a PWM controller then it won't change anything for you.

Personally before spending a couple Benjamin's on a meter you would be way ahead to get more solar.

[Tim francis]

I’ve had thoughts about getting rid of the panels all together and just use the Honda generator and the alternator to charge the bank. I’d rather have a wind generator.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Tim francis

I have four panels. The two bigger ones, I can’t read the info. The labels at faded The two smaller ones I can read. The controller is the above picture. Sunsaver 20 with the jumper removed.

Your panels look very similar to those on my boat, the long narrow ones being 75 watt each and the smaller 20 watt, for a total of 190 watts. Mine are connected in parallel to a sunsaver duo charge pwm and the best that I have seen on the meter is 12 amps output, however the log function shows a max of 14. My house bank is 6 6 volt golf cart FLA batteries and this runs the fridge, radio and all systems quite well. I do have a 1500 watt inverter but it is used rarely. I usually leave the fridge running 24/7, boat lives on a mooring.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Tim francis

I’ve had thoughts about getting rid of the panels all together and just use the Honda generator and the alternator to charge the bank. I’d rather have a wind generator.

actually you would be ahead to use the Honda to do the bulk charging then let the solar vet the last bit by running the generator in the morning before the sun gets high enough to do much good.
Using the alternator would be imo the last resort in ice charging .