After living on 12 volts full-time for 8 years, I've put together a series of blog posts sharing everything I've learned about battery charging, different kinds of charging systems and the unique quirks of solar charge controllers. We've installed a variety of systems and lived with equipment from many manufacturers, and this is all the info -- in plain language -- that I wish I'd had access to when we were designing and installing our systems and scratching our heads trying to understand how everything really worked once it was installed.I'm not pretending to be an expert, but we've spent over 2,500 nights living off of battery power and have learned a lot in the process. In the hopes that I might help out other RVers, I thought I'd post the links here. RV (& Marine) Battery Charging Basics - Single vs. multi-stage charging, in depthConverters, Inverter/Chargers, Engine Alternators - How "artificially powered" charging systems workSolar Charge Controllers - How to optimize battery charging from a "naturally powered" charging systemI hope this info proves helpful to others...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I am going to study that stuff very carefully. Well done!

Excellent for what I have read.Although I think you shorted some of the Morningstar MPPT 60 controller functionality.The programming in MSView is very comprehensive to the minute and two decimals on the voltage.Option to extend absorption as long as you like based on start voltage. Or for very low voltage float can be disabled.Yes it has a programmable function to restart absorption if voltage sags for a time you can specify. And it accumulates. So if you set 15 minutes and use your microwave for 5 minutes 3 different times it will revert back to absorption.Many accessories to provide other functions such as drive a relay to start your generator or cut power etc. Can send you an email if voltage sags. Multiple controllers can be linked and sync the programs. And more that I don't recall.

profdant139 -- You're welcome!! Thanks for your enthusiams!!smkettner -- Thanks so much for the great info on the Morningstar. I really appreciate that! MSView sounds extremely useful for PC owners, although there doesn't seem to be a version for the Mac.

Regarding the MS TS-MPPT-60 Last time I looked - I found several Status / configuration versions available for PC, MAC, Linux, Android etc....hundreds of the interfaces availableI use a wireless $20.00 TP Link router to interface and configure with multiple devices Agreed MS has only a PC interface - check out the dozens of 3rd party suppliersThe MS MODBUS interface is public domain with great documentation anyone with computer programming capability can produce an interface

KJINTF - Thanks for the tips. Do you access your Morningstar controller from your PC very often? I tend to just glance at the display on our charge controllers once or twice a day if I'm concerned or once a week if I'm not (i.e., sunny summer days)...

Battery charging info | Good Sam Community

KJINTF
Explorer
Jun 08, 2015
Regarding the MS TS-MPPT-60
Last time I looked - I found several Status / configuration versions available for PC, MAC, Linux, Android etc....hundreds of the interfaces available

I use a wireless $20.00 TP Link router to interface and configure with multiple devices

Agreed MS has only a PC interface - check out the dozens of 3rd party suppliers
The MS MODBUS interface is public domain with great documentation anyone with computer programming capability can produce an interface
Roads_Less_Trav
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2015
profdant139 -- You're welcome!! Thanks for your enthusiams!!

smkettner -- Thanks so much for the great info on the Morningstar. I really appreciate that! MSView sounds extremely useful for PC owners, although there doesn't seem to be a version for the Mac.
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 08, 2015
Excellent for what I have read.

Although I think you shorted some of the Morningstar MPPT 60 controller functionality.
The programming in MSView is very comprehensive to the minute and two decimals on the voltage.
Option to extend absorption as long as you like based on start voltage. Or for very low voltage float can be disabled.

Yes it has a programmable function to restart absorption if voltage sags for a time you can specify. And it accumulates. So if you set 15 minutes and use your microwave for 5 minutes 3 different times it will revert back to absorption.

Many accessories to provide other functions such as drive a relay to start your generator or cut power etc. Can send you an email if voltage sags. Multiple controllers can be linked and sync the programs. And more that I don't recall.
profdant139
Explorer II
Jun 08, 2015
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I am going to study that stuff very carefully. Well done!

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