Kevin you have great teaching skills. I am the husband of a retired school teacher. Thank you for the lesson.

Probably the best description of PWM tech in relation to solar I've ever seen. Loved the inclusion of the chirp and scope pieces. That really wrapped it up. Well done Kevin, and respect!

I'm trying to see pwm at work on my charge controller using a scope and you're demo is very helpful. Thanks very much indeed.

Great explanation. Each person I choose to listen to that knows about this topic adds to what I already know. First was Michael Bryce, WB8VGE from the late 80's until around 2010. Mike wrote articles for the QRP Quarterly, 73 Amateur Radio and Ham Radio (when those publications were in print), and CQ Amateur Radio and QST. Then I found you tube in 2011 and later Martin J. Lorton, KD8LON. Now, Kevin. Mike, as well as Popular Science, Popular Electronics, and The Mother Earth News periodicals, was my initial influence to solar back in the 70's and later. Martin was a bit explaining theory and review of products and at times too advanced for me. Then I found Kevin on you tube who explained everything he talks/videos about in a very understanding way. I am fortunate to have these people for display of, review of, and teachers of topics that enhance my enjoyment of my hobby. Thanks for the great video Kevin. 73 KB8AMZ

Kevin, you've explained PWM the best way possible, can't wait to see MPPT as well. Thank you so much 🤔✔

Hi Kevin, very good explanation of PWM, I was in robotics before I retired and used PWM to drive DC motors to control acceleration, speed and deceleration. John G7RWF.

You Kevin: Great video! I can see you're getting a good example of how desert conditions can be a bit chilly. We just got done with our biggest snowfall of 70 yrs just recently. Hope temps abate for your stay. Also look forward to seeing again where you stayed at. Don't worry about 34 days till Spring! 73's de seeker/Jeff WA7LFP

I have been using solar with big PWM type chargers together with SLA batteries (24 volt system) for about 15 years. I discovered a simple trick for really ramping up the efficiency of my solar panels by inserting a massive electrolytic capacitor in parallel with the panels at the charger input. It enhances the efficiency by limiting input voltage sag during the peak input load phase of the pulse sequence. This had the effect of adding about 20% more capacity to the system and really enhanced battery conditioning and cloudy day performance. Unfortunately it enhanced the unwanted RF emissions too. I employed big ferrite inductor choke rings on all of the ins and outs to clean most of the noise. I had it so I was running almost everything in the house except the central AC this way. One odd noise I didn't anticipate was the solid state components in the chargers started to audibly "sing" during the short pulse/low load phase. The heat sinks almost always stayed cold. I got curious and measured the effective currant flowing in and out of the capacitor. It was around 20 amps on the AC scale.

On a chilly day like that, you probably could have used the heat recovered from a linear charge controller to warm the RV up!

I never made it to Yuma this year, spent most of my time in and around Ehrenberg and Quartzsite. But there are some places near Yuma where I'd like to spend some time. You confirmed my observations regarding PWM controllers in this vid.

Very interesting I have learned from this video and showing how it can cause RFI problems to Radio Amateurs with PWM de KG0PL

Great show Kevin.I found it educational. You would make a great teacher at a secondary level vocational type school.

Wonderful explanation. Thanks for sharing!

Interesting, well presented, thanks Kevin.

Thanks for the clear, concise explanation. 73

Hi Kevin, Very good explanation of the PWM system. The live video with the scope really nails it down. One thing, you might want to add an explanation about the spikes at the front & tail of the square waves and how THAT is the source of the "birdie" noise due to harmonics. Are you going to the Titan site tomorrow @ 830am? 73 - John - N7GHZ

Great video Kevin. Thanks for taking the time to explain it so clearly. Learnt something today 👍

Ok, got that -- thanks. It was about what I thought. But - what about explaining MPPT? That I haven't gotten yet! lol

This is awesome.

Best explanation ever. Regards

Great explaining. Thanks a lot

Hats off!

Hi Kevin. Thanks for the video. If you really want to see noise try one of the Wicked Smart Genius chargers from Noco.

I'm tracking like a VCR, thanks for the video

Kevin, thanks for a great illustration of a principal I didn't understand. I'm currently installing the same Renogy two 100w panel system on our travel trailer. I oped for the PMW Wanderer controller over the MPPT. I'm a newbie ham, 2016 and still trying to absorb it all and was glad to see you address the interference issue. Two question's, is there anything you would change on your solar system now that you've spent some time with it? Would the MPPT control be quieter? Again, thanks for all you do. Tom KE0JVS

Nice! Thanks!

What a great video, we’ll done.

Great info and explanation.Thanks.

Kevin Loughin Sir, I am Mike from Pakistan. I loved your explaination. My questions is when battery is being recharged don't you think ON time of pulse need to be larger and OFF time of pulse need to be smaller so that maximum power from PV to flow so that battery gets charged.

Thank you for this wonderful video sir and greeting from Algeria I have one question please In case of the sun is available, does the load take its power from the battery (if it is fully charged) or from the PV module? What if the battery is half charged in the same previous conditions?

Can I use a pwm to charge my 12v(100ah) battery using a 250w solar panel with 29v (Vmp) and Voc 36v (Voc) Will it charge perfectly or need to go for an mppt I need advice

KE0UEF here I love your videos and I just experienced this I'd rather have it 40° LOL right now then the -20 that it is here and I warm up a little bit there do keep it warm

Usefull information thank you sir

So a pwm controllers act as a pulse charger So are they useful in repairing batteries? And do they have bad effects only on radios or there are other appliances they affect? Thanks

Hi, could you recommend a cheap oscilloscope please ?

Obi One :)

How would the panel voltage influence the charge rate through the PWM?

Hail Kevin!

PWM and MPPT both have their place. If you're just charging a couple batteries with low wattage and voltage panels for an RV or bush camp, say to run a couple of lights, charge your phone and run an intermittent appliance then PWM is the way to go. MPPT is not needed and much to expensive. On the other hand if you are running 1500 watts of solar to charge 1000 AH battery bank then MPPT is the way to go. Good luck finding PWM controllers to handle that kind of power. Just look at all the specs for both kinds and it becomes readily apparent why each has its place. Really can't compare them. PWM is a Honda Civic while the MPPT is a Ram diesel. You wouldn't try towing a 5th wheel with a Civic, or least I hope you wouldn't. Also watch out for cheap controllers claiming PWM. Some are just shunt regulation controllers with no PWM function. Same problem with some MPPT controllers. If it doesn't use a torrid transformer inside then its a PWM. Lots of scam artists out there trying to lift your wallet.

my question is how the solar controler reduces thepanel output voltage to batary charging voltage. for example solar panel voltage is 18v. and the charging voltage is 14v or 13.8v... thanks

My SLA battery cycles between 13 and 14 volts in about 1 second, is that due to the pulse?

can i use a switching power supply instead of a solar panel in a PWM based system? thank you

neat, thanks

Nice demo of PWM. 73

this is soooo helpful

Have you experimented with filtering out some of the RF noise?

Hi Kevin, thanks for the video and the way that you explain things. I learned something. I'm just outside of Lompoc, CA and this has been the coldest winter in the 30 years I've been out here. Hope it warms up soon for you. I've been trying to get my Delta Loop antenna (40M) up and running. Receiving great but doesn't seem to be getting any signal out. i.e. no one hears me. Would the wire touching trees branches affects this? Thanks JJK

Where does the power go when it's off?

Thank Q Sir Good explanation

well explain like my collage professor

Thanks I get it now.

my pwm charge controller dingo 20/20 ...12 24 48 volt it won't work with a single house solar panel 180 watts why???

Look up the Muppet by Julian llet.

now i can continue with my project.

why not just connecting a buck converter to a solar cell to charge the batteries?

Welcome to my home state Kevin. Did you need to bring your home state weather with you? lol. Last time I saw snow was 4 years ago, so your here at a special and rare time... There is a huge 2m repeater network here. If you need any assistance, jump on and say hi... Hope you don't mind me posting their website. www.eaars.com/ My appolgies if you do :)

Secondlifestorage.com is a really great forum about solar and diy powerwalls!

PWM controllers are a huge waste of power. Only reasonable use is for a 5 watt panel charging a cell phone. MPPT is the only way to go.