New controller? Looks like it was added today.
Off solar blvd site http://www.solarblvd.com/p2907/Midnite-Solar-The-KID,-30A-MPPT-Charge-Controller,-150V,-Black/product_info.html Hyper-link tab not working for me.
Forum Discussion
Ok, with built-in display it's closer to my situation because my Rogue has it, and I don't feel like I need a remote display. So TS-MPPT-30 is out.
I'm still trying to figure out what is there in Kid for $389 or Kid $285+20 that is missing in my Rogue 3048 for $375, or vice versa. Call it a buyer's remorse. Other than factory location, of course - sounds like not in the US, but let's leave it for now.
Since MPPT 3048 has a sealed circuit board, $389+20 version would be the closest analog. $409 is already more than $375, but maybe it's worth it. I looked into manual but couldn't find much to confirm this.
#10 input terminals is a bit small for a 30A controller, but for series connection this will do.
#10 terminals for battery wire is odd, considering 30A output.
No remote voltage sense - not a big omission, but not good either.
No charging voltage limit for cold weather, or I didn't find in the manual.
Absorption can't be current-based, only time-based.
So what's good?
Overall, Kid's manual is more "dummy-oriented" and the unit itself seems to have fewer adjustments and ways to tinker with - which may or may not be good depending on user.
So far, I've concluded that my buyer's remorse can sleep peacefully. Maybe technical heads here will find in the Kid manual more than I did.
I'm still trying to figure out what is there in Kid for $389 or Kid $285+20 that is missing in my Rogue 3048 for $375, or vice versa. Call it a buyer's remorse. Other than factory location, of course - sounds like not in the US, but let's leave it for now.
Since MPPT 3048 has a sealed circuit board, $389+20 version would be the closest analog. $409 is already more than $375, but maybe it's worth it. I looked into manual but couldn't find much to confirm this.
#10 input terminals is a bit small for a 30A controller, but for series connection this will do.
#10 terminals for battery wire is odd, considering 30A output.
No remote voltage sense - not a big omission, but not good either.
No charging voltage limit for cold weather, or I didn't find in the manual.
Absorption can't be current-based, only time-based.
So what's good?
- 150V is not bad. Not sure how this could be useful with 30A limit - honestly - but this isn't bad.
- Removable fuse - this is good.
- I like LED Christmas lights to augment the display readings. Don't know how this is useful, but it looks nice. Maybe not so good when it's in the plain view.
- Environmental rating IP64 is a big deal, if they mean what they say. Not clear if this is for either version, or for marine only. IP64 means it can withstand heavy rain for a short time. Not sure how this will works with terminals and knock-outs though. Haven't seen anybody mounting a controller out in the open, and for a portable setup 30A is little big, so hard to tell if this can be of practical use. But wouldn't hurt for sure.
Overall, Kid's manual is more "dummy-oriented" and the unit itself seems to have fewer adjustments and ways to tinker with - which may or may not be good depending on user.
So far, I've concluded that my buyer's remorse can sleep peacefully. Maybe technical heads here will find in the Kid manual more than I did.
