BFL13 wrote:
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! :(
Don't read too much into the test, it was quick and dirty. The Eco-w was pushing 226w+ and 18.5a with a 250w in the 245/250 test the last time. Even using identical set ups they never shared the load perfectly. I'll do a Voc/Isc test on the three panels next time to make sure they match up.
My 230w showed 216w/ 16.2a @ 13.4v and holding while running the 200w coffee pot. I've seen 13-14a in float up there. (9+ here in Denver) That's why I wasn't shocked to see 45a in absorb on the MS. The 245w monos saw 220w and 17 amp in bulk, the 250w closer to 226w and 18a. All of those were on Eco-w's.
There is a tenth of a volt or so difference in what the controllers see at the battery. the Eco-w has a two foot 10 gauge set with clamps for ease of proving it functions to a buyer. I need much more for the MS to carry three panels worth so I sacrificed a heavy 2 gauge copper set of jumper cables for it.
I'll run more test with better controls but honestly the Eco-w pushes the same max numbers as the MS given the chance.
