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In considering a DIY UPS-ish system (small bank of AGM batteries and an inverter), I knew I wanted/needed a charge controller, but most I found were just intended for keeping e.g. car batteries topped off.

It has since occurred to me that "solar" charge controllers, of which small 10-30 amp versions are in abundance, run off DC input anyway.

Is there anything wrong with feeding any typical charge controller intended for solar panel input with mains power via an ordinary DC power supply like you'd find on, say, any amateur radio operator's desk? Any special considerations beyond making sure I don't feed the controller more voltage than it can handle?

Nicholas Knight
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That sounds like a good idea if you can't find a "proper charger" - which certainly do exist.

Some of the solar chargers are very good, with equalisation cycles and more.

I can't immediately think of any disadvantage of doing this. 12V solar chargers are designed to take Vin of at least 18V and probably 20V+. If you get one with "proper: MPPT it will probably allow you to get maximum charge out of a given voltage source. I say 'proper" MPPT as some of the new controllers use quasi MPPT where they load the source to a specified percentage of source Voc, based on typical PV panel load curves. This may well not be the true MPPT point for a semi random power source and worst case may cause loading issues - but probably not.

Large range of typical solar regulators - Australia

MPPT controller with discussion - USA, CA.

BP GCR series learning controllers - may be too smart in this role?

Lead acid charging tutorial bulk, absorption and float ...

Russell McMahon
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  • MPPT = Maximum power point tracking (Wikipedia) – Brian Carlton Sep 23 '11 at 16:54
  • Thanks, Russell! I did eventually find a few "large" battery chargers that feed off AC (some at rather ridiculous prices). Since I'm apparently not losing much, though, and since A) being able to hang a couple solar panels off it in the future would be nice, and B) I'm going to have a nice power supply in the near future *anyway*, I think I will indeed find a good solar charge controller. :) – Nicholas Knight Sep 23 '11 at 22:22
  • Link in the middle ("And a few more") is not working. – Kamil May 31 '14 at 23:02
  • @Kamil - link dead. Removed. – Russell McMahon Jun 01 '14 at 06:04
  • Don't do this, as it will kill your power supply - as it has mine. Unless you have a power supply with a current limiter, or a tranformer based power supply, most voltage regulators simply regulate voltage by switching on and off based on what's on the line, which is what the charge controller also does - what you get isn't a smooth output voltage but rather maximum input voltage for short bursts. – Dagelf Apr 03 '18 at 10:01
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    @Dagelf As in most things, proper design is needed. Behaviour of controllers vary, but essentially all MPPT controllers would provide a continuous regulated output. Switching occurs in the supply but is smoother internally as part of the design. Very cheap controllers may indeed behave as you say. – Russell McMahon Apr 04 '18 at 02:36