De-rating the 230w

don't you think that the mfg takes into account a +- % to offset mfg process?
So it should be possible to go as high as 10%.

Fred

The test was to run a gizmo BFL has and I would be wary of that controller unless I found reviews confirming it does MPPT.

The best thing would be to find a 180w panel. That should have a 33 Voc.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
$50 MPPT controller. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/LCD-30A-MPPT-Solar-Panel-Regulator-Charge-Controller-12V-24V-380W-760W-With-USB/959502350.html it is the first one that came up when I looked up MPPT controller. You can look around the site, it offers many manufactures and sales places. .

Fred.

That is a "fake MPPT" same as the one that lady posted about recently that she got. It is a good PWM in the Solar30 family but you can get a Solar30 for about $34

Thanks for the tip anyway, but you missed that I already have a decent controller for my 230w panel. Eco-Worthy 20a MPPT which is a real MPPT not a fake, so it costs $102.

The prices of buck converters go up with intake voltage and amps. That component alone in a "real" MPPT controller that can run a 230w panel is nearly the cost of the whole Eco-Worthy 20 amper. IMO that means you can't get a real MPPT controller for much under $100.

So if you see one for under $50 it is probably one of those "fake MPPT" jobs.

We really need a sticky "Be wary of the fake MPPT controller.

It can really be a mine field out there if you don't know what you are looking for. I have been trying to skirt spending the cash for a TS-MPPT-60 but every time i think I have found one of the off name controllers I THINK is worth the chance, I really dig into the specs and find something that takes it out of the running.

It is hard to imaging that the Eco-W could set a standard, but you really can't find anything close to the functionality for the money. The older tracer line is getting close, but they have no display and the remote isn't all that accurate.Now if we could just get them to make the new and improved Eco-W......

Jim already has 60a worth of Eco-Ws :) First improvement is to jack up the range of the Float voltage adjustment to 16v from 14.5 max.

Then when it hits Vabs, it would go to the Float setting and stay there at some more voltage choices than now if you want above 14.5.

Actually I have 80a worth, I still need to stick a fuse back into the one I shorted and see if I can't get it going again. Eco-worthy offered to repair or replace it, but I'm the one that damaged it, not them.