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Wasted $200 on a solar charge controller that couldn't handle real weather
I bought a cheap PWM controller off Amazon last spring for my cabin setup. First big thunderstorm came through in July and it just fried, no surge protection at all. Ended up paying a buddy $100 to come look at it, then another $100 for a proper MPPT unit. Should've just spent the extra upfront. Anyone else get burned by bargain solar gear?
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aaron7401mo ago
Man that sucks! The real trick is most Amazon solar stuff skips on proper surge protection to hit a price point, even the MPPT units sometimes do.
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samflores1mo ago
Read a review from an electrician who tested a bunch of Amazon controllers and found most lacked any real surge protection inside. He said they just rely on a cheap capacitor that blows out after one good spike from the grid or a nearby lightning strike. Makes you wonder if spending a bit more on a known brand is worth it just for the basic protection.
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sagecooper1mo ago
Like my buddy who bought a cheap inverter and it literally smoked out after a tiny storm rolled through.
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