| Solar Guys - What Charge Controller? [message #258804] |
Thu, 14 August 2014 10:41  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Hey Solar Guys, which charge controller are you using?
I'm looking at a Midnight Kid MPPT with the whizbang Jr. and temp monitor. It can handle up to 150VDC input and give me up to 30A output.
A close runner up is a Morningstar Tristar MPPT 30 with I Trimetric 2025. It also gives 30A output.
The Midnight system gives me the same stuff the Trimetric will, but it means I have to buy the controller at the same time ahead of figuring out my load.
At the very most, I will have four 6V GC2's for 420 AH @12V.
More than likely 4 x 120W, 3 x 160W panels or 2 x 190W. (Whatever I can find w/o shipping, and fit, and I can fit these)
I plan to use MPPT to get the most output and gives me the ability to use higher voltage panels.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Solar Guys - What Charge Controller? [message #258830 is a reply to message #258804] |
Thu, 14 August 2014 18:59  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Chris, I'm using this charge controller:
http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/chco/schneider-electric-solar-controllers/tracc35solch.html
It's a PWM controller and I bought it at the recommendation of Northern AZ Wind and Sun. They said an MPPT controller was not needed with a small system like mine. It still has enough capacity to add several more panels. I only plan to use low voltage panels
In your case, It sounds like you have a sound plan. I don't think there is much advantage either way for a small RV system. Talk to the folks up in Flagstaff and they will give you good advice.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: Solar Guys - What Charge Controller? [message #259060 is a reply to message #258830] |
Sat, 16 August 2014 16:34 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Carl, Yeah, I'm on their forum. MPPT makes more sense to me however, for the few$$, converting the energy vice wasting it as heat...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Solar Guys - What Charge Controller? [message #259224 is a reply to message #258804] |
Mon, 18 August 2014 08:35 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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I'll hafta go look at mine and post when I get home./ It works well.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
braselton ga
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Solar Guys - What Charge Controller? [message #259229 is a reply to message #258804] |
Mon, 18 August 2014 09:32 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
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Carl (and maybe Dan Gregg), and sorry for some thread drift here,
I have the same control you do (Xantrex nee Schneider C35), that I just got running a few weeks ago. I probably won't describe this right, but if you don't count the equalize part, it is two stages. They combine bulk and absorption charge at one voltage set point, and they then have a float set point. On mine, it seems to hold the bulk absorption side set point pretty well, which I have set at 14.0 volts. But, now that I've left it out in my driveway a few times without having much if any load on the batteries, the float set voltage just keeps drifting up. I have it set at 13.0, and I can go out in the afternoon and it will be 13.5, 13.8 or even higher. Dan mentioned I needed to watch it, as it would boil battery water out, but it shouldn't. It ought to pulse width modulate the float voltage down to 13.0 without drifting higher. That's what my Xantrex Prosine Inverter/Charger does. For now, I just turn the panels off and leave it plugged in, but I'm thinking there is something I'm missing here. Any ideas?
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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