Mppt Controllers

[Yorick]

Last year when I fitted my solar panel, I used one of these 20A controllers..

Broken Link Removed

I have been reading that the MPPT ones are more efficient and wondering if it's worth changing.

We'll be mainly in Lanzarote where there's plenty of sun


If it's worth changing, is it just a case of swapping over ?

And any recommendations of a reasonably priced one please ?


Many thanks

 

[Jim]

I believe that some can be much more efficient as others, twice in some cases. So It's worth buying a good one. I know @eddievanbitz did tests with some, but I forget the actual result, except I learned that Chinese and cheap isn't the bargain I thought it was.

 

[Yorick]

I believe that some can be much more efficient as others, twice as in some cases. So It's worth buying a good one. I know @eddievanbitz did tests with some, but I forget the actual result, except I learned that Chinese and cheap isn't the bargain I thought it was.

Thanks. I'll PM him

 

[eddie]

On my on motorhome I have three identical 130 watt solar panels. This gives me the ability to compare regulators in a like for like situation.

Three "alledged" MPPT regulators gave us a range of 1.9amp - 4.9amp

The Victron MPPT being the unit that always outperforms others. It retails at about £110 and is available at many outlets.

 

[Trikeman]

Yorick,
a good MPPT here - been absolutely outstanding all the time its been fitted. External 'dashboard' too so the main controller can be hidden away. She's blinking (fully charged) 90% of the time.
Got mine from Sunsolar.




Hope it helps,

Regards,

Trikeman.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cruiser]

I will have to start saving again. thanks @eddievanbitz .

 

[Yorick]

On my on motorhome I have three identical 130 watt solar panels. This gives me the ability to compare regulators in a like for like situation.

Three "alledged" MPPT regulators gave us a range of 1.9amp - 4.9amp

The Victron MPPT being the unit that always outperforms others. It retails at about £110 and is available at many outlets.

This looks the daddy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victron-E...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item46326a3009

Do you really think the extra cost is worth it ?

 

[andy63]

There seeme no doubt that the mppt is the one to go for ,but then which one.. Having said that my portable came with a pwm controller and without any specific tests seeed to do the same job as my now fixed panel with a mppt controller..
I suppose the question is does your current set up do what you want or not and does any likely gain justify the cost...
Best of luck with your decision...
Andy
Broken Link Removed

 

[andy63]

Yorick,
a good MPPT here - been absolutely outstanding all the time its been fitted. External 'dashboard' too so the main controller can be hidden away. She's blinking (fully charged) 90% of the time.
Got mine from Sunsolar.




Hope it helps,

Regards,

Trikeman.

Same one I fitted only without the remote panel as I already had a power management panel. As said seems to do the job but no direct comparison such as Eddie has carried out.
Andy

 

[eddie]

This looks the daddy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Victron-E...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item46326a3009

Do you really think the extra cost is worth it ?

That link looks dodgy. There are different controllers in the pictures. The SSP is £110

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Techno]

If you don't have many watts and you are in Lanzarote it's not worth paying the high price for an mppt as it will make little difference in that climate
Better to increase your watts surface area for the same or less money

 

[Yorick]

That link looks dodgy. There are different controllers in the pictures. The SSP is £110

The pics show all their range. Can select from the drop down list

I assume I need the 75/15 for a 150w panel ?



BlueSolar MPPT 75/10 (12/24V-10A):

MAX PV power is 135 Watts at 12VDC, 270 Watts at 24VDC

BlueSolar MPPT 75/15 (12/24V-15A):

MAX PV power is 200 Watts at 12VDC, 400 Watts at 24VDC

BlueSolar MPPT 100/15 (12/24V-15A):

MAX PV power is 200 Watts at 12VDC, 400 Watts at 24VDC

BlueSolar MPPT 100/30 (12/24V-30A):

MAX PV power is 440 Watts at 12VDC, 880 Watts at 24VDC

BlueSolar MPPT 75/50 (12/24V-50A):

MAX PV power is 700 Watts at 12VDC, 1400 Watts at 24VDC

BlueSolar MPPT 100/50 (12/24V-50A):

MAX PV power is 700 Watts at 12VDC, 1400 Watts at 24VDC

 

[Yorick]

If you don't have many watts and you are in Lanzarote it's not worth paying the high price for an mppt as it will make little difference in that climate
Better to increase your watts surface area for the same or less money

So are you saying that in very sunny places, the controller is less important ?


And I am thinking of also getting a 100w portable panel as no more space on the rof.

 

[Techno]

That link looks dodgy. There are different controllers in the pictures. The SSP is £110

There are separate prices for each you have to select one for the associated price
The 75/15 is widely available at £85 or less but looks very basic.
I'd very much like to see one with the lid off

 

[Techno]

So are you saying that in very sunny places, the controller is less important ?

I recommend reading the white paper on Victron website

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[eddie]

I recommend reading the white paper on Victron website

The main benefit of a "good" MPPT controller is that it can make hay whilst the sun shines, literally. So Its really sunny in the morning, and cloudy in the afternoon, the higher, controlled charge from the MPPT regulator during the morning will be beneficial. If you have a mainly sunny enviroment, and you have a smallish battery bank to store the charge having a more effecient charging regime is pointless.

The key word here is "mainly sunny" lol as opposed to "rarely sunny

 

[Yorick]

The main benefit of a "good" MPPT controller is that it can make hay whilst the sun shines, literally. So Its really sunny in the morning, and cloudy in the afternoon, the higher, controlled charge from the MPPT regulator during the morning will be beneficial. If you have a mainly sunny enviroment, and you have a smallish battery bank to store the charge having a more effecient charging regime is pointless.

The key word here is "mainly sunny" lol as opposed to "rarely sunny

thanks. I'll have 2 x 110a batteries to keep a fridge cold. So if I can get a bit mire power for not big bucks, then good.

 

[Yorick]

P.S. I'd have thought that when sunny all controllers be the same.

And in poor conditions, the better ones (MPPT) drag more power out.


Or am I still not getting it ?

 

[Techno]

That's pretty right but read the White paper
I'm on shitty ship wifi just now so difficult to give you links

 

[Yorick]

That's pretty right

So you are agreeing that in sunny places like Lanzarote the gain will be minimal ?

but read the White paper

Found it but it may as well be written in Chinese

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Techno]

Now in sight of land
Just read part three the conclusion
http://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2014/07/21/which-solar-charge-controller-pwm-or-mppt/

 

[Yorick]

Now in sight of land
Just read part three the conclusion
http://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2014/07/21/which-solar-charge-controller-pwm-or-mppt/

Smashing. That's saved me some dosh


Now we have a very happy Yorkshireman

 

[Techno]

My controller on a good day producing over 6 amps more than the combined panels rated output (that is in MPPT mode) you can recognise this by the charge voltage which will only be a little over half a volt higher than the battery voltage. Bringing the voltage down allows higher current for the same wattage. A PWM regulator cannot do that
This will cost about £110 by the time parcel farce hit you from Taiwan

 

[eddie]

So you are agreeing that in sunny places like Lanzarote the gain will be minimal ?


Found it but it may as well be written in Chinese

LOL When its SUNNY

 

[Yorick]

LOL When its SUNNY

It's always sunny in Lanzarote

On the cooler days, the fridge won't be working as hard, so need less leccy

Wins all round

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

Smashing. That's saved me some dosh

But note the last few words from the Conclusion here, which I have highlighted:

"The MPPT controller will also harvest substantially more power when the solar cell temperature is low (below 45°C), or very high (above 75°C)"

I guess the question is under the sun of Lanzerote how hot is the black coloured solar panel going to get?

But I am sure you could fit it after you get there if you find on a hot day the fridge is struggling to keep the beer cool.

 

[Yorick]

But note the last few words from the Conclusion here, which I have highlighted:

"The MPPT controller will also harvest substantially more power when the solar cell temperature is low (below 45°C), or very high (above 75°C)"

Bugger. So they both work about the same when very sunny, but not when very hot ???

Confused ? me ? no

 

[cruiser]

the things we do for cold beer. or I will.

 

[IanS]

My understanding is if your panel is putting out say 3 amps at 20 volts, an "ordinary" controller will output 3 amps at 12 volts, just dropping the voltage from 20 to 12, but an MPPT controller will convert the 60 watts (20 x 3) to 60 watts at 12 volts, which is 5 amps (minus a bit for inefficiency in both cases)
It was years ago I read up on this, so not 100% sure

 

[g8ysn]

Yorick,
a good MPPT here - been absolutely outstanding all the time its been fitted. External 'dashboard' too so the main controller can be hidden away. She's blinking (fully charged) 90% of the time.
Got mine from Sunsolar.




Hope it helps,

Regards,

Trikeman.

Same as mine

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}