Just witnessed MPPT voltage drop below 14V
Well this is interesting. Half sunny half cloudy day, 92 degrees out. Collected this data looking at the turnigy for the maximum panel output (not max amps to battery which was fun but not any real ob...
Forum Discussion
Yes except for those of use who already have 12v. Though I do see people posting about buying them from time to time still due to the cost of MPPT controllers. Mostly smalley systems. But the shift is on and will continue.
I figure sooner or later I will have one, and understanding what the real MPPT volts are the controller has to work with helps me filter the various marketing claims of some of the controller makers.
If I could get one with a programmable ECU like the PIC in the Eco-Worthy, that would be ideal. Existing hardware platform but all kinds of programmability. Even just changing the upper and lower search voltages to fit my specific panels, and temp compensation values would be very powerful and much less expensive than some other controllers.
But the first step for me is doing the work *of* the controller with my system parts, so I really know how it works, rather than speculation from specs of how it should work.
Jim
Also I really wanted to understand the real world benefit (or not) of MPPT. I have seen real world improvements in charging amps of over 10%, so I did convince myself it is not all fluff. But watts per dollar with my Unisolars I think I would use a working figure right now of a 10% gain vs the cost of going from PWM to MPPT. Which for me would be something between $100-$400 to gain 10% of 136 or somewhere between $7 and $29/watt. Not exactly a bargain if going there for the power gain alone.
I figure sooner or later I will have one, and understanding what the real MPPT volts are the controller has to work with helps me filter the various marketing claims of some of the controller makers.
If I could get one with a programmable ECU like the PIC in the Eco-Worthy, that would be ideal. Existing hardware platform but all kinds of programmability. Even just changing the upper and lower search voltages to fit my specific panels, and temp compensation values would be very powerful and much less expensive than some other controllers.
But the first step for me is doing the work *of* the controller with my system parts, so I really know how it works, rather than speculation from specs of how it should work.
Jim
Also I really wanted to understand the real world benefit (or not) of MPPT. I have seen real world improvements in charging amps of over 10%, so I did convince myself it is not all fluff. But watts per dollar with my Unisolars I think I would use a working figure right now of a 10% gain vs the cost of going from PWM to MPPT. Which for me would be something between $100-$400 to gain 10% of 136 or somewhere between $7 and $29/watt. Not exactly a bargain if going there for the power gain alone.
