Solar Charge Controller Recomendations

I've done some research but I haven't been able to find the right fit for me. With the below criteria what solar charge controllers would you recommend. I like the Victron units but not sure if they are the right fit.

Necessary Features

• 100 watts of solar
• Durable unit
• Good app interface is key for me to monitor everything going on

Nice to haves

• IP 54 minimum (could put in engine bay without additional protection)
• I could see myself going to 200 watts in the future
• Below $200 seems to be reasonable for these

 

Whats the usage? Separate battery? 100 watts of solar is pretty skinny. Figure 100W equates to about 60W with decent sun. What are your loads? Summer and winter use? If so, look at a charge controller with DC-DC charging so you can use the truck to charge the aux bat as needed if that is how you are configured.

 

I have a single northstar agm that I will be using. I am going to put a low voltage cutoff so there is no chance of the IGN off loads killing the battery.

The only load at the moment will be my fridge which draws about 45 watts. I do not see myself going crazy with power usage.

Mostly summer use but it would be handy if it could keep the battery health good in the winter(with no load)

 

So Super basic. This plus the Bluetooth module would get it done for under $100 and have capability to handle a 200W panel.
https://www.renogy.com/wanderer-li-30a-pwm-charge-controller/

 

Aren't PWM chargers much less efficient than MPPT? I would want the system to be as efficient as possible so I could get away with 100 watts instead of 200

 

Indeed. If you want to go MPPT they cost a few bucks more but still nothing crazy.
https://www.renogy.com/rover-elite-20a-mppt-solar-charge-controller/

FWIW I run 175W. I live in WA, so about the same latitude as you. In the woods on big sun days I get about 25A-HRs worth of recharge. Running a 65W fridge with misc LED lights and such I burn just about 25A-Hrs per day. In the desert I can easily double the charge rate. Point is, if you have the funds, I think you'll be happier with something closer to 200W.

 

Thanks for the help. My plan is to go around 100 watts to start with but have enough headroom in the solar controller to go up to 200 watts. I typically am at a different site every night so full recharges will happen every day.

There are some packaging reasons why id like to run 100 instead of 200 watts.

 

I had a renogy unit. Mounted in the cab and it died inside of 1 year. They did warranty it and sent me a whole new kit including a new Bluetooth module. Also their solar panel is still going strong.

Also I had issues with the renogy Bluetooth interface.

I however did not trust the brand after and went with a victron mppt unit. It is smaller, runs cooler and has built in Bluetooth for monitoring via an app. The victron unit seems to be better designed and the interface is more thought out.

I just got done camping in a shaded/wooded area and my 175watt panel kept up just fine with my dual zone 70qt fridge with one side set as a freezer.

 

What can the victron monitor? Can it monitor the state of charge for the battery? Or just the solar input.

 

All the charge controllers just monitor input and voltage levels. But you also use it to adjust changing profiles.

You need a separate inline shunt to monitor true battery levels/usage.