Eco worthy 20a MPPT vs TS-MPPT-60 and series test

So I was able to run quick test comparing the Eco-w vs the MS today. I spent quite a bit of time trying to get the netbook and MSView to see the TS-MPPT-60, it did connect but didn't display more than the controller info, no voltages or anything yet. Luckily the Eco-w has it's display and I bought the remote display for the MS.

Both controllers went above 18a once I drew the bank down near 12v. That wasn't hard since the 8-D is on its last legs. I did notice that the eco-w was only showing 210w while the MS was showing 220w but the amps stayed the same. Even when there was two Eco-ws they swapped high and low controller on the same bank under load. I'll rerun the test to get any numbers needed.

It was a quick test and I didn't get a lot of measurements because I also wanted to run a series test with all three panels on the MS. All I can say is WOW. I used the 5000 BTU air conditioner as a load again and the biggest issue I had was keeping the controller in MPPT mode. It takes 3 minutes before the compressor will start and by the time it did the controller was in absorb. I had to turn on a heater to get back into the MPPT just to see max amps.

The three panels were pointed well but not pitched back far enough to be really lined up with the mid day sun. Even so I saw 48 amps in MPPT and 45a in absorb. 660 watts was the highest I saw out of the three 250w panels and may have seen more had the panels been leaned back farther. Once I turned off the heater the voltage of the battery started coming back up and the controller switched back in to absorb. While the AC ran there was a panels worth of power going to the bank, raising the voltage. the voltage climbed even faster when the compressor shut down. The voltage was up into the 14's when the compressor turned back on and it did so easy that I had to check the kill a watt to make sure it was on.

Being able to run the air conditioner and charge the battery at the same time was what I was hoping for. Right now I am running a equalization on the 8-D not that I expect much. Now to figure out the MSView.

jrnymn7
Explorer
May 11, 2015
I don't get it. How the (well, you know) does an mppt controller go out of tracking so soon on such a deeply discharged bank? I thought tracking continues until such time as the bank can no longer accept the amps thrown at it? If not, what's the point of mppt?
JiminDenver
Explorer II
May 11, 2015
When you have a dieing battery the voltage rises fast and drops just as fast when you put a load test on it. The 8-D is a starting battery that I bought used a few years and has been abused repeatedly with my inverter, microwave and air conditioner test. As a core it is worth half of what I gave for it, so it isn't a big loss. I'll be nicer to it's replacement.
jrnymn7
Explorer
May 11, 2015
lol, o.k, my bad. I didn't pay attention to the battery description you gave.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 11, 2015
Good first taste! When you can, please do more comparisons of the Eco-W and MS. This should resolve many things :)
scrubjaysnest
Explorer
May 11, 2015
Tried to get MSview talking to my TS-45 today but had no success as the status LED's are in the way of plugging in the DB9. Tech support said get the Digikey ribbon cable but here again the plug is to thick to go between the LED's and the heat sink. Guess this project goes on the back burner until this winter.

Keep up the good work.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
May 12, 2015
BFL13 wrote:
Good first taste! When you can, please do more comparisons of the Eco-W and MS. This should resolve many things :)

Will do. I haven't renewed the craigslist ad so the last one doesn't sell before I've had my fun. ;)

Just tell me what measurements you want to see. I'll need to pick up another multimeter because I didn't realize I had one of them set to amps when I went to check the Voc and pop, it died. lol The next one will be a 20a.

I know the MS is logging if I can get the MSView to work.
JiminDenver
Explorer II
May 12, 2015
scrubjaysnest wrote:
Tried to get MSview talking to my TS-45 today but had no success as the status LED's are in the way of plugging in the DB9. Tech support said get the Digikey ribbon cable but here again the plug is to thick to go between the LED's and the heat sink. Guess this project goes on the back burner until this winter.

Keep up the good work.

I was able to get the netbook to see the MS via a serial/usb cord, just none of the good stuff. I tried a regular cat5 as well as a crazy expensive twisted pair, they didn't show up at all. I wasn't able to get the website up using the serial number either.
BFL13
Explorer II
May 12, 2015
JiminDenver wrote:
BFL13 wrote:
Good first taste! When you can, please do more comparisons of the Eco-W and MS. This should resolve many things :)

Will do. I haven't renewed the craigslist ad so the last one doesn't sell before I've had my fun. ;)

Just tell me what measurements you want to see. I'll need to pick up another multimeter because I didn't realize I had one of them set to amps when I went to check the Voc and pop, it died. lol The next one will be a 20a.

I know the MS is logging if I can get the MSView to work.

One thing is more of what you started in the OP of output watts compared with panel rated watts. Given the panel is at the same Isc in each case, do you get more watts out of one or tother?

I can never seem to get more than about 200w from my "230w" panel even when it is showing over its rated Isc (which I would have thought meant it would be at 230w---nope!) I can account for about 14 of those missing watts but not the other 16w. Might be the panel is not really at STC despite the rated Isc , or it is but panel heating has killed the missing 16w. OR the Eco-W ate them!

If the MS does the same, then no worries. BTW if the output amps is the same but the output watts are different, then either the battery voltage is not the same or their displays for watts are not to the same calibration?

--on meters, I gave up on the $10 ones I kept frying going between amps and volts. I got the more expensive version that has a fuse in it you can replace. I still make the same goof, but a fuse is cheaper than a meter. I think I am ahead in meter dollars already, from doing that so often! :(
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
May 12, 2015
Jim,

MSView can display real time variables using the State Display and use the Logger to log variables, did you try those options?

I generally use the Logger to create a csv file and then Excel to display. The Historical Graph seems to be less involved than Excel and with less control of what and how it's displayed.

If your are using a CAT5 direct to the PC then it must be a crossover cable. If you plug it into a router then use a straight CAT5 cable. I've connected the router to the PC both wireless and with a straight CAT5 cable.

Another option is to use the serial interface. I used a serial to USB cable and it worked fine. The serial interface is the only way to update the firmware, 2 sets for the controller and the remote firmware.
time2roll
Nomad
May 12, 2015
JiminDenver wrote:
The three panels were pointed well but not pitched back far enough to be really lined up with the mid day sun. Even so I saw 48 amps in MPPT and 45a in absorb. 660 watts was the highest I saw out of the three 250w panels and may have seen more had the panels been leaned back farther.
This is why I have said the 45 amp is really enough for this size system. Fourth panel needs the MPPT-60.

Thanks for the test. Looks fairly equal at the single panel level. Not going to lose much with MS SunSaver MPPT-15. MSView programming will be superior.

I use serial to USB for programming. I leave the wire in the lower section so it is ready anytime.
I use an XP computer.

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