Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Tech Issues: Choosing a Solar PV Charge Controller


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full_mosey

Oklahoma

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Posted: 01/14/12 02:47pm

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KJINTF wrote:

Hi John - Hello again

A few good friends of mine that take their boats hundred of miles off shore informed me of the excessive RFI interference from those little buggers several years ago. I have found the very same thing here land locked in the outback of Western Montana

Yes the controllers do indeed properly charge most battery banks but the RFI can be and is an issue with some users.

Just trying to keep folks informed - nothing more

I have no explanation for my results, I just wondered if I did a proper or useful test.

HTH;
John

N8GS

West Michigan

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Posted: 01/14/12 05:51pm

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KJINTF wrote:

Wondering what charge controller others have purchased and why.
There are many good ones available today. In comparing controllers several things come to mind in addition to the COST of the unit. I consider at least the following before making a purchase or suggesting a make and model for others.

I am sure there are more considerations, I hope many of you can add to this list.

• MPPT- Vs- PWM – What PV panels are to be used, how will they be wired
• Physical Size – Mounting location requirements
• Environmental Requirements – Can it get damp, What temps can it handle
• Maintenance Items - Any fans (stay away), Internal relays(caution), etc
• Power Rating – Leave some headroom for future panel expansion
• Efficiency – How much power does it use
• Battery Temperature Sensing – For my systems a REQUIREMENT, User programmable?
• Voltage Sense Line – Another requirement for larger systems, compensation for the loss from controller to battery
• Configuration possibilities - Simple Dip switches, A dedicated computer interface
• Warning / Alarm Capabilities – What’s offered, and how is it configured; A simply relay, Serial port, Ethernet, SNMP, Industry standard open protocol
• Interface Capabilities - Dedicated remote panels, 3rd party interfaces, Published interface protocols
• System Integration – How does it interface with other parts of the system
• Product Support – Product Documentation, Phone support, Email support, Firmware upgrades

Sure would like to hear from others
Why they choose their specific solar PV controller and how they are using it to it's fullest capabilities

Ken

To address the orig. post.
I use the Outback FM-60 It is fairly large, does everything and its all accessable from the front panel keypad. Oops there is one thing that it doesn't do, it does not have a seperate battery voltage sense wire. But if the proper wire size is used that isn't a problem. In my case the FM-60 is 4 feet from the batteries. That is 8 feet of #3 welding cable for a 0.047 volts of drop at 30 amps which is the max that I can expect from my system. (your results may vary).
Bulk and float voltages are variable up to 80 volts in 0.1 v steps.
The complete manual is available online in PDF format.

Ham radio 73's from Gale N8GS
2009 GMC 2500HD Ext cab, LB 4x4 Duramax
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4-Trojan T1275's(600Ah)+470W of solar w/ Outback FM-60 CC
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full_mosey

Oklahoma

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Posted: 01/14/12 06:07pm

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KJINTF wrote:

Wondering what charge controller others have purchased and why.

Morningstar TS-45 PWM.

Seven preprogrammed charging algorithms with one for L-16s,
The 8th is for attaching to a computer for a custom profile,

RTS,

Remote voltage sensing,

Auto equalizing cycles,

Very AGM aware, <--------------

That is all I can remember right now.

HTH;
John

TechWriter

Green Bay, WI USA

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Posted: 01/14/12 07:54pm

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KJINTF wrote:

Wondering what charge controller others have purchased and why.

I started with a Blue Sky Solar Boost 2000, then a Xantrex XW-MPPT-150, and next is the MidNite Solar Classic 150.

I discovered MidNite Solar when installing my other systems, because MidNite makes combiner boxes and DC breakers. What impressed me about MidNite was the ETL testing they did on their breakers.

MidNite's Classic, also ETL approved, has these features:
- 1st controller that has arc-fault protection
- 150, 200, and 250V input operating voltage models
- 80 - 96A output
- Ethernet, USB, and RS232 connectivity
- 35MB data logging storage
- AUX inputs & outputs
- user upgradeable firmware
- setup wizard
and it speaks.

Finally, for support MidNite Solar recently started a User Forum & has done several install videos & a wealth of sample wiring diagrams . . . plus they build their own circuit boards in house.

2001 Newmar Mountain Aire 4095 DP
Wisconsin, USA

vcallaway

On the road.

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Posted: 01/15/12 08:08am

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12thgenusa wrote:

The Rogue manual states that for either 12/12 or 24/12, PV/batt setup, the max PV wattage is about 418 as the Rogue output is limited to 30 amps. Anything above that except to make up for system losses is wasted.

You're right. I meant to put that on the previous line but had a brain slip.

Frankly if I were selling a turnkey setup for a MH it would be 4 of the Kyocera 135 panels with the rogue.

1989 Honey Maxum

full_mosey

Oklahoma

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Posted: 01/15/12 08:19am

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vcallaway wrote:

12thgenusa wrote:

You're right. I meant to put that on the previous line but had a brain slip.

Frankly if I were selling a turnkey setup for a MH it would be 4 of the Kyocera 135 panels with the rogue.

Ah. What makes an interesting conversation is a different opinion.

I say you could not pick a worse panel for an MPPT controller if you are going to run 12/12! That panel is optimized for a PWM controller at 12/12.

Comments?

HTH;
John

KJINTF

Western Montana

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Posted: 01/15/12 08:49am

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vcallaway

Good to see everyone has a different opinions
I too like the K 135w panels, good quality, good price, strong structure for mounting, good warranty, small enough to handle easily, etc. I mounted four of them in a series/parallel configuration on my Rig they output about 540watts at 38Vdc. Then go on to drive a Tristar MPPT 60.
I believe the Rouge is a 30amp device with 540watts you are pushing it's 30amp limits.

TechWriter

Sounds as if that MidNite Classic is something I need to take a long hard look at.

I choose the Morningstar route for my personal system. Went with the Tristar MPPT 60, Relay Driver, Puresine 300, TS-RM-2, plus the Trimetric 2025-RV and four K135W panels. The remote control panel interfaces well with all the equipment except the Trimetric. Added a RS232 manual switch connected to the Relay Driver and the MPPT controller then on to the house computer systems plus an ethernet connection from the MPPT controller to the Rig's Wifi router.

Everyone does it differently

Retired early and loving life
Too many projects and never enough time

full_mosey

Oklahoma

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Posted: 01/15/12 09:05am

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KJINTF wrote:

vcallaway

...
I mounted four of them in a series/parallel configuration on my Rig they output about 540watts at 38Vdc. Then go on to drive a Tristar MPPT 60.
...

Nice system! 24/12 certainly is the sweet spot for those fine panels.

HTH;
John

KJINTF

Western Montana

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Posted: 01/15/12 09:32am

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full_mosey

I just found the MPPT thread you started back in October
Lots of good discussions
Large varity of opinions and vendors suppling good offerings

Solar PV Technology is in constant change
I spent 35 years supplying high-end Broadcast TV products to Television and Production studios around the globe
WOW the changes in that industry from simple analog NTSC/PAL on to 3gig EHDTV and even higher data rates in discussion

Kind of like the Solar PV industry today - we can count on more and faster changes going forward

Sure is fun to be involved in all this technology

Salvo

California

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Posted: 01/15/12 10:56am

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I would argue 12V panels can be more efficient than 24V panels. The smaller the difference between solar voltage and battery voltage the greater the controller's efficiency.

It's correct that 12V panels are optimized for PWM controllers, but that doesn't mean 12V panels operating in MPPT mode are below par.

full_mosey wrote:

I say you could not pick a worse panel for an MPPT controller if you are going to run 12/12! That panel is optimized for a PWM controller at 12/12.

Comments?

HTH;
John

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