PWM or MPPT.

[jay see]

Looking at getting a solar panel and have seen there are two types of regulators.
Don't need to explain the nitty gritty but which one is better.

From what I've read the MPPT regulates by a switch and pwm is by electrical pulse.

Means nothing to me. So which one??

[GQtdauto]

Short version , MPPT better for solar panels under xx watts , PWM better for solar panels above xx watts .

[Cuppa]

Unless you are going to pay a reasonable amount of money MPPT will be meaningless. There's plenty out there where the only MPPT thing about the regulator are the letters printed on the case, & others which have poor quality & under developed MPPT algorithms. I am firmly of the belief that unless you are going to spend $200-$300 + then you are better off getting a PWM regulator as you will likely get a better quality unit. All bar the ultra cheapies will be using PWM, including those with MPPT.

[jay see]

Short version , MPPT better for solar panels under xx watts , PWM better for solar panels above xx watts .

When you say xx watts is that combined or individual?
Will most likely be a folding kit type. Something that will keep the fridge going for more than three days. Depending on price anything from 120w - 200w.
Thanks.

[GQtdauto]

I have a 200 watt panel on the camper trailer and have a PWM regulator on it , a couple of weeks ago I noticed that when the clouds blocked out the sun I was registering 14.1 volts , later that day a tree was shading the panel and it was at 14.2 volts and I'm more than happy with that .
MPPT claim that they are 20 odd percent more efficient than PWM but I read recently that it might be true in a lab but in the real world they are not as good as they claim , still a bit better than PWM but not that much .
Much like solar panels are rated in labs and in the real world they don't get near claimed wattage .
For my money it's more important to have as much solar as possible than MPPT regulator and less watts but that's me , I will have to find the research I was looking at but have no idea where I came across it .
What I like about my system is I'm in the middle of fixing another 100 watt to the roof rack which will join up to a 40 watt panel up front giving me 140 watt on the GQ , but I'm wiring it up so I can put all solar from camper and GQ into one or the other regulators to give 340 watt of solar .
If need be later I can add another 200 watt panel to front half of camper trailer but will have to replace one of the regulators if I do .

[GQtdauto]

When you say xx watts is that combined or individual?
Will most likely be a folding kit type. Something that will keep the fridge going for more than three days. Depending on price anything from 120w - 200w.
Thanks.

As Cuppa has said anything in the lower price range will more than likely be PWM regulated anyway , if your watching pennies either try for as much folding solar as you can afford in watts ie as close to 200 as you can or even look around at a fixed type panel which usually come with a regulator and Anderson plugs and make your own legs up for it .
Not a good idea to hook up individual regulated panels to your batteries , they can confuse each other .

[jay see]

Thanks guys.
Now to go and find a good cheap folding kit. At least I know what I'm looking at now.

Any recommendations..

[GQtdauto]

Used to deal with Sunyee but they have changed a bit , there's always the supercentre.

[jay see]

Yeah, I know that kind of stuff seems to be a bit of a lucky dip with them. Will see what my searching uncovers.

[GQtdauto]

Yeah fleabay could be your friend .