Please recommend a portable solar set-up

[Superlight]

I have two 10W Powerfilm F15-600 solar panels at my disposal. I need some recommendations for a charge controller and battery to use with these panels (set up in parallel for 20W). I'm looking for something durable and reasonably light weight to slug around the back country from campsite to campsite. I'm willing to spend a bit extra to get good efficiency seeing as it is only 20W to begin with. I was originally thinking a small deep cycle 7Ah AGM battery. Suggestions and advice from more experienced members would be very appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Teobaldo]

You can see this threads:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?377886-Camping-recharging-setup

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?342073-Portable-solar-charging-setup-I-just-built

They have lots of information about what you want. Good luck.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

At lower currents, PWM controllers like my Morningstar SS-10L in the second link above, can accutally be 'more' efficient than the more expensive and generally more efficient MPPT controllers because there's not computer type chips to power. Those create a load themselves and can actually rob you of your ~1.2A output current, running in parallel.

Chris

 

[SemiMan]

Chris,

Where the micro robs power is if its connected all the time ie Quiescent load. Where mppt loses at low current is its a switching supply and its that continuous switching that causes loss.

Semiman