So I need the forums opinion. I have a C-35 controller that I am using as a diversion controller And a 60W 12V panel feeding a single battery. I have wire the system per the instruction in my manual BUT in Diversion mode the panel is straight wired(with diode) to the battery. Am I shaving life off of my battery by straight wiring? Anyone got more time in with this type of wiring?
I don't have a good answer for you, but I have often theorized that a benefit of using a pulse width modulated charge controller (PWM) like the C35 is (when used in normal charge controller mode) is that it pulses the charge on to the plates and is able to "pack" more charge on the plates.
Additionally, again my theory only, the pulsing may have some side benefit similar to the desulphators. That is, by pulsing the electron flow it make shake loose some of the sulfate build up on the plates. Though real desulphators do this is a frequencies optimized to shake loose these crystals - so just the normal pulsing of PWM may only have a minimal effect.
So in summary - I suspect the C35 used in straight charge control mode may be a little better on the batteries than in load diversion mode but don't have any solid proof to back up my claims.