backchannel: MPPT nitpicks

This is the kind of nitpicky stuff that I put here because it would do more harm than good on the original thread.

MPPT - ‘Maximum Power Point Tracking’. These are the more modern, best option. As the name suggests, they do what they need to do to always maximise the power it’s pulling from the panel to put into the battery. FAR more efficient. Also, far more expensive.

Let’s break it down.

MPPT - ‘Maximum Power Point Tracking’.

Good so far! :-)

These are the more modern, best option.

Best is debatable. As Sowell says: there are no solutions, only compromises.

As the name suggests, they do what they need to do to always maximise the power it’s pulling from the panel to put into the battery.

That’s not what the name suggests. The name suggests it’s tracking the MPP, not necessarily always using it. If it was “always maximizing power” it would overcharge the battery.

FAR more efficient.

The DC-DC bucking means it can make more power, yes, but less efficiently (higher losses in the controller). PWM usually makes less power but more efficiently (minimal losses in the controller).

Also, far more expensive.

Yes, generally speaking.