CHEAP vs EXPENSIVE Solar Controller | Victron or ATEMPOWER Regulator

In this video, we're comparing the different types of solar regulators and giving you our take on which one is best for your needs.
Time to see which of the solar regulators we've used is best for us!
We put a cheap $99 ATEMPOWER MPPT regulator, and a mid range $249 Victron Energy MPPT regulator against each other to find out what the differences in power output are and see if you really should "Cry Once, Buy Once".
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[@paulholyoak]

Do the same test in cloudy conditions and you'll see the real quality difference....

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

I’ll have to give that a crack Paul 👍🏽

[@dannyboy3241]

Im not surprised to much as its on the low side of what they are designed for put a high voltage big panel on and watch the difference the real test will be if they both can sit there at 20a and keep pumping i know my victron does

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Definitely would be good to see mate. Wouldn’t mind building a big system on my shed just as an experiment 😂

[@dannyboy3241]

@Out N About Australia I suspect heat would kill the atem mppt or at least make it back off the charge rate, do you know max voltage it can accept from solar?

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

@Dans I dare say so mate. It can run up to a 50VDC PV system so only half of the Victron voltage capacity.

[@hwoodist]

A better test would be to connect a power supply to solar input and measure how well each MPPT deals with voltage changes and how each handles operation at its peak output.

[@gregorykovaleff5320]

I have a large off grid system running OPzS 800 batteries @ 48v, 16kw PV array and a 15kva inverter. After some research I went with cheaper inverters with combined solar chargers such as Growatt as $2000 VRs $15,000 seemed like a good idea as I needed about 11,000w now and than for combined plasma cutters and air compressors ect. In less than 12 months not one inverter (tried at least 4 extremely well reviewed and rated inverters and 7 yup 7! Different solar controllers) are all either in the bin or chasing warranty which doesn’t really exist as sellers of the units I have purchased hide behind Australia’s E commerce laws. Cheap made in China components alll kinda work great until pushed to the stated limits and nothing I found is anywhere near as efficient as Victron or any quality unit. Cheap equipment doesn’t work out in the long run and a lot of it I have found is actually a fire hazard over time. I know a lot of people are going to give negative remarks about what I just said because 12 months ago I would have also.

[@luminousveiws]

I had an Atem controller, after 5-6 months it failed. It just stopped doing anything! Not worth chasing any warranty.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Any chance you pulled it apart to see what happened?

[@MrRangerrob68]

Nice video. When you mentioned the time of day and then that it took 20 minutes to change things around, I thought the Atempower would have the advantage as the sun rose and the PV got more sun. The secound round was a fairer comparison, however if you could monitor both units at the same time, with identical PV then you'd see the fast switching of the Victron MPPT deliveres greater power to the battery in low/changing light conditions. That's what you pay for, as well as the superior tracking and technology. Have a good weekend!

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Thanks for the comment MrRanger, couldn't agree more mate. As good as the Atempower unit goes, it hasn't quite converted me away from the Victron unit.

[@tsromney]

There are a lot of things that you're not considering when comparing these controllers. I would expect 2 similar sized MPPT controllers to perform virtually the same on a clear sunny day. Finding the maximum power point on a clear sunny day is easy for any controller. Where the Victron shines is in variable conditions where there can be more then one maximum power point. The Victron can find the best maximum power point quickly. Most other controllers don't do this as well as Victron. This difference can be as much as 10%. There are other things to consider as well. Does the controller support low temperature cutoff, high temperature cutoff? Does it protect against reverse polarity? How does it hold up over time?

[@merinofarmeragriculturewor4623]

Hey mate iv had a Atem power solar regulator for years & they go good as & still goes well ..eBay u can get them from for $40 .. 👍👍

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

They’re a pretty solid option if you’re on a bit of a budget and don’t mind not having some of the bells and whistles. Mine are still going strong. 💪🏽

[@ieism1]

Pretty interesting results. I did a test with a Ctek mppt, a Victron 100_20 and an Ecoflow delta in very cloudy weather. The Victron absolutely blew away the others.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

That would definitely be the test. Average conditions and it still performs 👌🏽

[@awesomedee5421]

The ATEM is about $100. Victron 100/20 is about $158. For $58 for all the software bells and whistles one-time fee. Victron is worth it. Maybe if I had to buy a bunch of them but had the ability to tie into a Victron shunt to get the stats, then I'd buy the ATEM.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Good point mate. When I originally set my Victron unit up the price was still a bit higher but I could still justify it now. Hasn’t ever had an issue (except user error) 😂

[@ianwillats5110]

The Atem is rubbish IMO. It drops out constantly and it has no telemetry, stick with the victron it’s the gold standard.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Cheers Ian, I definitely won’t be straying too far from the Victron unit for a while yet!

[@toddincabo]

👍 Must be Aussie price, $20 cheaper on the Atempower website here in the States... $36.95

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Spot on mate. That was Aussie prices 👍🏽

[@halfbinz]

We’ve tried Kings 15A, 20A MPPT etc, in 2 months we are now taking them back 5 times as they all died, don’t cut off when reaching cut out limit. Outputs have just stopped working etc and they have admitted countless faults on their units!!

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Yeah mate, I've heard and seen SO many faults on the Kings MPPT units.

[@danielnjoroge7463]

Nice video though for better comparison its better to do lab simulations using power supply units.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Thanks mate. Definitely would be ideal, wish I had a setup where I could run exact values 😂

[@petewarby7158]

Good to see a Victron fan at least seeing the benefits of a budget compatible unit. Nice little video, useful, thank you :)

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

No worries mate, always good to consider other options!

[@LithiumPower-bm7od]

Victron fan! 😂😂the guy sells the Atempower on eBay! not exactly partial! They are the same controller as a Voltz!

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Quite easy to butt hurt the Victron fanboys 😂😂😂. I use Victron in my camper, but if I was on a tight budget then the Atempower would definitely be on my radar, so much so, I will get one for my solar lighting system in my shed.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

That’s actually where I’m testing it out now. Trying to keep the charge up to a shed 12v system 👍🏽

[@electrodacus]

There is no surprise. The cheap controller is not MPPT is PWM and since the panel max power point voltage at that ambient temperature matches the battery voltage it will be as efficient as it gets. So get that cheap PWM if the panel matches your battery.

[@vicoffroad]

Thanks for the comparison! Awesome video!👍

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Thanks mate 👍🏽

[@Blakehx]

Thanks for the great testing and info! I’m currently looking at the budget stuff because I just have a couple lead acid batteries on my RV but I’m planning to upgrade at some point… but maybe just upgrading to a better RV… dunno yet!🤔

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

No worries Blake, nothing wrong with starting out with the budget gear. You can always upgrade later! Sounds like I'm in a similar boat with our wind up camper, we're looking at an upgrade also!

[@aussiecue]

Hey mate, I have a question. I am building a tradie 7x4 trailer into a camper. I already have a kickass battery box with a 100amp lithium and the kickass 25 amp bc-dc charger with solar input in a Dmax with smart alternator. For the trailer I bought the Victron 12/12-30 orion non isolated dcdc charger, Victron 100/20 solar controler and the victron shunt monitor. I will probably put a 200 amp lithium in the trailer. The question is what do I run to the tow bar to power the trailer considering I've already run the "Blue" wire to the ute second battery? Local bloke wants to run a redarc relay straight back to an anderson.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Hey mate, not knowing your specific system I would assume the ignition wire could be paralleled to activate both chargers together. That being said, depending on the cable run length and current draw, there may be some voltage drop issues in doing it this way. I'd ask your auto sparky about whether paralleling the ignition cable to both chargers would be possible.

[@MoonshineBlack.]

I’m still buying the victron one cause I’m an absolute slag.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

😂 nothing wrong with that. I still haven’t veered away from Victron yet!

[@bowlampar]

A $60 unit can get the job done as well as the $250 unit....the choice is very clear to me. 😄😄

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Just need to make sure it lasts as long!

[@johnallen3555]

what you did not test is the speed at which the MPPT reacts ( re optimises output) to changing / cloudy conditions - As I understand the Victron is very fast at this, much faster to react than most, it not all similar MPPT units It is reall easy to optimise when it is steady (cloudless and no changing shade conditions) - dont be fooled ( on the basis of a steady state test) into thinking that the cheepie performs as well as the Victron will in variable liht conditions - dumb an dumber might be fooled

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Good point John, sounds like a good setup for the next time I test them out against one another 👍🏽

[@TheSimpleLivingAussie]

I find with the cheap controllers is when they hit the float stage. I have seen them run float voltages for up to 16 plus volts and I have seen it on many different cheap controllers. I saw a video from the Arvo Boys have a Kings controller over charge an AGM battery and cook the battery. I would stay with the Victron for sure 👍

[@2visiondigital]

I started with a cheap eBay controller, it worked fine. As i grew things out i upgraded to a Victron. I have no way of knowing but i think the battery management is vastly improved. I wouldn't mind if the Victron had a readout, but the Bluetooth app is quite a tradeoff.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Absolutely. Nothing wrong with the cheap stuff when you’re starting out.

[@dingdong1009]

Cheers fella. Good video. Doing a random youtube search "Mppt Australia" and your video came up. I watched with interest as cheap "MPPT" are a sales gimmick and are usually PWM (I've been burnt by a popular ozzy brand)... Anyway it compared pretty well with the Victron so I went and purchased two units from the same mob. I'll set them up with a wee panel to run water to me chooks and garden n see how they go. Cheers again

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Thanks for that mate. Appreciate it. Let me know how it goes once it's set up and running.

[@viliamjasenec5538]

Using atemporal solar panel, can't remember size, maybe 160w, does the job hasn't let me down yet, had it over a year on the canopy, rain hail and shine, still running and very light around 4kg.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Not bad at all mate 👍🏽

[@pyrobob208]

I have had 4 atem solar panels fail and replaced under warranty. Will never buy any more.

[@Electronzap]

Nice test. I'm sure everyone is good at making a mppt charger by now. Price will probably be based on how much more it can do from now on.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Seems like it mate, the more bells and whistles, the steeper the price seems to climb.

[@DanielSan-ch7dr]

​@@OutNAboutAustralia there was a guy the other day who had an atempower regulator turn to crap and drian his 2 expensive battery down to 3v so the victron price difference is far outweighed after that happens.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

@DanielSan-ch7dr I reckon so mate. After loosing a lithium battery myself, that’d definitely swing the price difference in the other direction.

[@kennethwilson8633]

Is it able to handle full load for long term is the real test …

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Good point. I might have to set up a torture test over 6 months and see how it measures up 👍🏽

[@donaldo1974]

I've learnt the hard way never skimp on regulators

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Same opinion here mate. If you can go top shelf it’s worth it 👍🏽

[@FathomlessJoy]

I bought a nice Renogy solar controller my first time. But now after only 2 years it is having trouble charging when the batteries are in parallel. So I am ordering a cheap $85 one today and super excited to see if it can produce close to the Renogy.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Best of luck mate. Hope it does the job for you 👍🏽

[@Sabumnim666]

I am looking closer into a whole new system in my van and I am certainly struggling to believe the Victron gear is any where near the money they ask. I have used Victron on a small system and it was good never had a problem but I have a friend in his camper and it has its fair share of hiccups. So I am still deliberating but it is hard to justify a 250% price difference for a 5 to 10% performance difference.

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

It's definitely a big price jump but just going on my own experience, I reckon it's been worth it. If it was a temporary setup that I was only running every so often I'd probably run the cheaper option. Let us know how you go.

[@Sabumnim666]

OK I will try to remember to let you know but I am not in a real hurry.@@OutNAboutAustralia

[@bryanspears2045]

Caution *** The ATEMPOWER can only handle 50v solar so careful if panels are in series

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Yeah definitely mate. I’ve found 2 panels in series is generally it’s limit although it looks like it’s really designed for parallel setups.

[@bryanspears2045]

@OutNAboutAustralia agreed and the price is right for a small budget system..

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

@@bryanspears2045 that's it mate, it's definitely got it's place.

[@blingscreensavers3881]

If a camper is beginning out and only have 1 solar panel its important to learn on a cheap controller. When they have 2 or more panels the smartsolar will run 3 panels in series and so on

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

100%

[@mattharvey8712]

Bravo......can u parallel them or put in series.....cheers

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Hey Matt, both can be parallel connected, NOT series connected.

[@blingscreensavers3881]

Since u have victron imagine having a solar anderson on the side for a blanket. But u have 2 blankets . U can run both blankets in series ill show you how

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

I actually had that exact setup until a few weeks ago when I realised I wasn't using my additional solar blanket. Great option if you're running some power hungry equipment.

[@blingscreensavers3881]

@@OutNAboutAustralia I work at a camper trailer place we put in redarc manager 30 theonly problem is maximum input to the battery will be 30 amps. With victron separate devices it's 30 amp DCDC plus solar roof amps while driving

[@DuTangTheCryptoSurfr]

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@millycarrington]

Does it come with a 5 year warranty like the Victron?

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Hey Milly, No, definitely something I should’ve mentioned. The Atempower only has a 12 month warranty

[@youssefalhoshe7260]

I have a 50A PWM charge controller, How much current can I draw from the load output ??

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

You would have to look at the manufacturers specifications mate. Depending on your brand and model, you may be able to run the full 50A, however it may have a limit.

[@youssefalhoshe7260]

@@OutNAboutAustralia Thank you very much, however, the problem it is not mentioned in the user manual and the brand is RENOVO... appreciate your advice

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

@@youssefalhoshe7260 RENOVO or Renogy? Only ask as I've never heard of RENOVO.

[@andrewdalzell99]

I have just one word for you Redarc

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Believe me Andrew, if I could…I would 😂

[@dannyboy3241]

Redarc have absolutely nothing on victron gear..

[@andrewdalzell99]

@@dannyboy3241 Redarc manager 30 does it all. Look it up!!

[@dannyboy3241]

@Andrew Dalzell I'm well aware of it..over priced redarc gear..only thing redarc do well is marketing

[@jamesfalvey77]

On a 100 watt panel?

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Yeah mate, 110W fixed panel on the roof rack.

[@Meatcleaver101]

Don't worry I'm here ready to watch

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

Bloody legend mate 🤙🏽

[@Meatcleaver101]

I went with the Victron

[@OutNAboutAustralia]

They’re a top notch unit 👌🏽