Looking for a 40 amp MPPT solar charge controller

Grizzzman,

I've been wondering about this, myself. How would one get a solar charge controller to shut off automatically, based on amp and/or Ah monitoring? Do some (like the one you mention) actually have that as a programmable option? (I've read it's not a good practice to just leave shut off up to the BMS, so some sort of auto shut off would certainly be in order).

jrnymn7 wrote:
Grizzzman brought up the issue of monitoring Ah's. I see no benefit to having an MPPT controller with an Ah counter. It would only work when charging with solar. It would not keep track of Ah's replaced when gen charging, but the Trimetric (or any similar meter) would keep track of all Ah's in and out.

As for keeping track of a Lithium bank, yes one could stay within say a 30-90% soc range, and avoid any high or low voltage events. But I would still be inclined to keep an eye on voltages, in case the Ah count was off, and required re-calibrating.

Well for me controller adjustibility is a big deal.One of The reasons i want amp hour counting is the ability to to use ending amps as a form of charging control. As an example midnightsolar has "kid MPPT CONTROLLER" when used with there wizbangjr turns the unit into a amp counter. This is why i asked if the the unit you were discussing had this capibility.

As for LFP my thoughts are using amp counting, ending amps, and absorb time out as ways to control day to day charging and volts as the upper limit cut off and using cell level HVC and LVC as catastrophic (to cover old timers) moments. In my thinking setting levels of control will make LFP less of a risk from charging failure.

jrnymn7 wrote:
So, anyways, back to the OP.

How do other MPPT controllers in the 40a range compare to the Tracer 4215BN?

From what I can find the Tracer seem to be the best value in 40a MPPT controllers, with a lot of flexibility. Quality is still undefined. But after reading all the off-topic bickering, (GRIN) it's a moot point. The friend that I'm helping has decided to pick up the pace and now needs a 60a controller.
The decision has been made and it will be a OutBack Flex Max 60.


Thanks to all for your input.
Richard

NinerBikes wrote:
Well, let us know which way you go, why, and how it works out, planned vs actual performance. I know I am getting anxious to spend your money on a charge controller!!!

lol, you and I both!

In fact, I may just pull the trigger this spring, instead of waiting 'til next fall. I don't mind switching things around, on occasion, either. This is why I would like to have a good hold on how things work.

If for example, I find myself in a particular situation for the next 4 or 5 days, I'd like to know what will work best in that particular situation. If it means switching from parallel to series, so be it. A quick scoot up the ladder and re and re a few wires. No biggie. And even changing out controllers will be no big deal. Throw a couple of breakers, undo 8 screws, swap out controllers, redo 8 screws, set parameters, switch breakers on, done. About 20-30 minutes total.

I know some here hate spending time on battery maintenance, but the way I see it, 30 minutes a week of my time for 10,080 minutes of service is a 33,600% return on my investment. If only my financial investments yielded those sort of returns.

BFL,

Check out the youtube videos I linked to on page 5, 2nd post. Also, read the discussions in the comments section below the videos, (but be sure to read them in their chronological order...they're listed most recent first). One guy looked into these units and software issues. Both him and the video poster seemed pleased with their findings.

Well, let us know which way you go, why, and how it works out, planned vs actual performance. I know I am getting anxious to spend your money on a charge controller!!!

Doesn't the Tracer BN "user" setting require the PC gizmo? The MT50 is just a monitor not a settings device AFAIK.

Elsewhere it was mentioned that cheaper MPPTs might have slow tracking where they do not charge at all while searching. This can mean a lot of time off when the sky keeps changing as clouds keep going by in front of the sun. Better MPPTs have rapid reaction to that and you get full time on.

I don't know what the Eco-Worthy does for that. I haven't noticed anything wrong with it like that, but not sure how I would be able to tell from watching the Trimetric or the Eco-Ws own display.

The Tracer BN blurb seems to say it has the fast tracking kind.

westend wrote:

jrnymn7 wrote:
So, anyways, back to the OP.

How do other MPPT controllers in the 40a range compare to the Tracer 4215BN?

I have a Morningstar 15 amp MPPT and the functionality is brilliant. Real time data and programming are done through the software, MSview.

The Tracer BN's have Controller to PC capability, but to what extent, I do not know. That may be something worth comparing? Personally, I'd be happy with the MT50 remote and the Trimetric, for day to day use. Perhaps for a real world comparison of various mppt's, real time data would be essential.

Grizzzman brought up the issue of monitoring Ah's. I see no benefit to having an MPPT controller with an Ah counter. It would only work when charging with solar. It would not keep track of Ah's replaced when gen charging, but the Trimetric (or any similar meter) would keep track of all Ah's in and out.

As for keeping track of a Lithium bank, yes one could stay within say a 30-90% soc range, and avoid any high or low voltage events. But I would still be inclined to keep an eye on voltages, in case the Ah count was off, and required re-calibrating.

jrnymn7 wrote:
So, anyways, back to the OP.

How do other MPPT controllers in the 40a range compare to the Tracer 4215BN?

I have a Morningstar 15 amp MPPT and the functionality is brilliant. Real time data and programming are done through the software, MSview.