Looking at more solar - thoughts please

[Bustup15]

Currently have
2 * 100w solar
Buttner MT230PP controller
Electroblock EBL111
Schaudt HTM-01
2 * 105ah AGM, Intending to stick with these till they fall over and then possibly move to lithium (Lenny HB has me worried over reliability of AGM )

Plenty of room for at least 1 large panel on roof and thinking is you cant have too much solar?

Am I correct in thinking that the MT230PP can't handle an additional panel and if so should I simply upgrade this or fit an additional unit?

Would also like to fit a remote display as the current set up doesnt provide.much information other that an LED symbol status of voltage and input/output state.

 

[Lenny HB]

You will need a new regulator as that one can only take a max of 230. Good excuse to get a decent regulator it may have the Buttner name but that one is a cheapie and fairly certain it's only a PWM. I would go for a Votronic MPP 350 Duo (350W) or MPP430 Duo (430W).
For a decent display the Victron BMV 712.

 

[Metamorfosis]

I think buttner and votronic developed their controllers together so essentially you have a votronic mpp250 dual battery charger. Yes you will need to replace your charger to cope with a bigger array.
This post below suggests your ebl will not have any limits which charger you use (unlike many other models of ebl) and you will be able to simply plug and play the new larger charger in place but DYOR.

Future Motorhome Charging?

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www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk

Ideally you should use another 100w panel of same brand to minimise losses but should you add a 180w for instance due to electrickery calcs there will be some inefficiency and you may only get 360w total.
Lenny is once bitten twice shy with AGM. I think by his own admission his experience of them was with non supporting mains and solar chargers so obviously they would meet an early demise. This was a gross error by manufacturers to couple AGM with inadequate controllers. AGM is less tolerant of inefficient charging regimes than other types of battery but as you have the correct gear you have nothing to worry.

Edit: I think Lenny is right, it might be a cheapie PWM controller so my statement about being a votronic clone is probably wrong. As he suggests change it for a bigger votronic.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think buttner and votronic developed their controllers together so essentially you have a votronic mpp250 dual battery charger.

Yes it does look identical to the Votronic but must be a PWM type as it's only €80 to buy. Votronic do both PWM & MPPT.

Lenny is once bitten twice shy with AGM.

Not just me only need to look on the German forums, even after the charging was sorted still loads failing.

 

[Bustup15]

Thanks for the input guys it makes more sense now. Looking at the Buttner website, they offer an MPP 440 version at €279 compared to the Votronic equivalent at €209 in Germany or £180ish in UK.

Any benefit of staying with Buttner as this is also the manufacturer of the Black Line panels currently fitted.

100w version panel listed at €419 uses 72 cell technology, again should I fit the same manufacturer or do I introduce other issues if I mix and match?

Thanks in advance

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