Grape Solar 40 Amp PWM Solar Charge Controller

I think this is what I was thinking of

http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/Whizbang_manual.pdf

dewey02 wrote:
I sent a message to Grape Solar's customer service email asking the following:
Does the controller's remote monitoring only work with Android devices with bluetooth, or does it work with iPad or iPod with bluetooth?

When I requested the app, Grape responded asking if I needed Android or iOS? I needed Android so I assume an app for Apple is also available.

mike-s wrote:
It looks like that controller has low-side control (i.e. all control and measurement occurs in the ground circuit). How did you wire that into an RV, which typically uses the chassis for ground? If it's just wired inline between panels and battery, it should be fine. But the load terminals would be useless, as would any measurement reported for the load.

I don't know if measurement is on the ground side but when I installed the controller the panels went direct to the controller with no connection to chassis ground. The batteries did have a connection to chassis ground. An Engel cooler was connected to the load circuit with no chassis ground. Readings on the display showed both current from the panels and current going to the load.

It looks like that controller has low-side control (i.e. all control and measurement occurs in the ground circuit). How did you wire that into an RV, which typically uses the chassis for ground? If it's just wired inline between panels and battery, it should be fine. But the load terminals would be useless, as would any measurement reported for the load.

I wasn't the Bogart I was trying to remember. Might have been a KIDD with a special remote? Just can't remember. Idea was the fancy remote did the subtraction etc so you didn't need the Trimetric ISTR.

BFL13 wrote:

"Solar controllers only show what the solar panels are doing, not what is going to the battery and how they are doing. Solar output goes to rig systems first, and anything left over goes to the batteries. Same with converters.

A Trimetric monitor on the batteries only shows what is happening with the batteries, including whatever the solar can provide from upstream of the Tri's shunt. You have to subtract the Trimetric amps from the solar amps to see how many amps are going to other loads.

There is a solar controller that has two shunts ISTR that does both jobs, forget its name."

True

thats why i have the remote amphr kw power meter
thats tracks power into and out of the battery
is programmable for battery bank size
and shows me the status in both amphrs and percent of charge

BFL13 wrote:
Solar controllers only show what the solar panels are doing, not what is going to the battery and how they are doing. Solar output goes to rig systems first, and anything left over goes to the batteries. Same with converters.

A Trimetric monitor on the batteries only shows what is happening with the batteries, including whatever the solar can provide from upstream of the Tri's shunt. You have to subtract the Trimetric amps from the solar amps to see how many amps are going to other loads.

There is a solar controller that has two shunts ISTR that does both jobs, forget its name.

If you use the Bogart SC 2030 as your controller in conjunction with the Trimetric 2030 you can look at both solar output and how much is going into the batteries. Of course a trimetric will also measure battery current while you can look at the solar controller to see what the panels are putting out and get the same info, just have to look at two displays.

I sent a message to Grape Solar's customer service email asking the following:
Does the controller's remote monitoring only work with Android devices with bluetooth, or does it work with iPad or iPod with bluetooth?

I'm awaiting an answer and will report here if/when I get one.
Does anyone here already have an answer?

Solar controllers only show what the solar panels are doing, not what is going to the battery and how they are doing. Solar output goes to rig systems first, and anything left over goes to the batteries. Same with converters.

A Trimetric monitor on the batteries only shows what is happening with the batteries, including whatever the solar can provide from upstream of the Tri's shunt. You have to subtract the Trimetric amps from the solar amps to see how many amps are going to other loads.

There is a solar controller that has two shunts ISTR that does both jobs, forget its name.

I am excited to see a battery controller with built in monitor! Knowing the state of charge it should be able to charge batteries more effectively. Does it show the % of full charge in the app display? App available for iPhone, too?

I don't see it on homedepot.ca; must be available only in USA.

For me the record aka logging function for performance history is just an add-on that makes for easy reviewing

What sold me on this controller was the ability to change the voltage settings, charge mode, battery type etc.. Using my Android tablet

The ability to monitor the controller wirelessly with the tablet
Allows an easy heads up of what is going on

When you think about the price of add-on wired monitors for some controllers
This is really low cost an efficient
I could buy a $39 7" tablet and attach it to the wall and have a permanent monitor, powered by a $2 usb 5v charger adapter

I have learned that for our full time Heavy power use, knowing what is going on with the batteries and solar is important to me,
and adjusting my power use, just means limiting my pc use etc..the fridge has to stay on, the solar is an adjunct to the batteries and generator