On the Move
The GY Solar Controller turns on a single device – your water heater but only works with 12v batteries.
The Super Solar Controller can be used in Motor-homes (“RVs”), Caravans, and Camping Cars.
Needs hybrid inverter and 12 or 48v batteries. Can control up to 3 devices.
Which Controller on the Move?
Super Solar Controller 3 device controller
Needs hybrid inverter and 12 or 48v batteries.
Like the GY controller the Super Solar Controller monitors battery voltage, but with 2 big pluses.
- It can manage three different three different connected devices (or groups of connected devices) that have
- Different levels of user importance so are switched off in priority order with different cutoff voltages.
Most likely to appeal to mobile home owners because these vehicles are just that – small homes that move. Many have a full range of domestic appliances all needing electricity – a finite resource if not on the move. Their needs are similar to those of other small homes. (Visit www.super-solar-Kits.com) for suitable solar system kits
With three different outlets each being user programmable for different cutoff voltages, the user can decide what gets turned off, and when, thus avoiding over-discharging the domestic batteries. Below a certain voltage level, hybrid controllers shut down completely, so in winter it is also too easy to wake up to a home without electricity.
If hot water comes from electricity, it is an obvious candidate for an early shut-down. Even the contents of the fridge/freezer will not suffer unduly if it’s off for a couple of hours in winter.
12v Green Yachting Hot Water System Controller
Originally developed for use on sailing yachts, the GY 12v controller has also found customers on land. Domestic batteries are alternator charged whenever the vehicle moves, but when at rest, battery charge levels can fall quite quickly and no road vehicles are equipped with the kind of engine heat exchanger universal on sailing yachts. Hot water must therefore either come from a gas installation or electricity.
Water heaters also originally designed for life afloat can also be used on land at reasonable cost and in capacities from 15 to 60 litres. The GY controller can either be connected via an inverter to the existing 110/220v heating element, or directly via a replacement 12v/300w replacement heating element.
It works by constantly checking the battery voltage, and if that falls below 12.2v it switches off the water heater completely. With a replacement heating element, it can also monitor the water temperature as an additional parameter. (Turns on at >46°C and off at >52°C).
The GY controller means that you will always have hot water without draining your batteries or infuriating your neighbours by using the engine just to recharge your domestic batteries.