Oh No ! I bought a Mppt Solar Controller

Jetta03 wrote:
Looking forward to the review! I use the sunsaver mppt 15 amp charge controller (about $200) and if I could replace it with a $10 unit next time around I'd be happy to do so.

The slow boat from China arrived, so I should get the controller from home to test it in a few days. I only have the one 130w panel so not sure I will be able to tell if it is a "real" or "fake" MPPT.

The guy I sold my other panels to says I can use them for a test but that would put 200w in series with 130w for the "24v" and I am unsure what the Voc limit is on this controller. It might say in the manual (or not) That video guy says that is a problem with these things.

I thought you could say if it is real MPPT if it did run a 24v array and send 12v to the battery at something near twice total Isc of the array. Can you tell if you just have one 130w 12? If so , how?

RJ got us all into this, so he should be the one to test it, using his two panels in series. :) Go for it RJ! You can always get another one. :)

Almot wrote:

12thgenusa wrote:
Here is the efficiency chart for the Rogue 3024 along with a quote from the manual.

"Typical efficiencies range from 95-97% under most conditions. As a rule of thumb, higher efficiency occurs as PV voltage increases (which causes a corresponding decrease in current for a given amount of power), and as the difference between PV and battery voltage decreases."

I'm at the beginning of learning curve yet, but from the voltage on display it looks like you are running very high loads at this moment. I am not sure whether Rogue manual meant the battery voltage in absence of loads - which is not the case here - or "any" battery voltage.

It says PV voltage so it's talking about the panel or input voltage. The first two examples were heavy load with high battery SOC. The last example was after several days of lousy weather and the bank was lower so it was mostly charging battery. I don't think the controller can/does differentiate between output used for battery charging or other load. A load is a load.

Jimin

No problem - it will take me a few days to get my tests done as well
I have a few higher priorities as in beer drinking, boating and fishing with some luck maybe even some catching and if no catching then we will have fun anyway

Just helped a friend with his Johnson 115 2 stroke V4 outboard (what a POC) old technology. I much prefer my Yamaha's as in newer than 2006 EFI 4 stroke units - WOW how has technology changed in the past 20 years, only issue is the Goverment Corn in my gasoline

12thgenusa wrote:
Here is the efficiency chart for the Rogue 3024 along with a quote from the manual.

"Typical efficiencies range from 95-97% under most conditions. As a rule of thumb, higher efficiency occurs as PV voltage increases (which causes a corresponding decrease in current for a given amount of power), and as the difference between PV and battery voltage decreases."

I'm at the beginning of learning curve yet, but from the voltage on display it looks like you are running very high loads at this moment. I am not sure whether Rogue manual meant the battery voltage in absence of loads - which is not the case here - or "any" battery voltage.

Jetta03 wrote:
Looking forward to the review! I use the sunsaver mppt 15 amp charge controller (about $200) and if I could replace it with a $10 unit next time around I'd be happy to do so.

...and why would one do that, I wonder...
Since panels dropped below $8 per watt and people starting using them on RV - 9-10 years ago? - controllers lifespan has not been determined yet, they just work and work. At least, those over $200. One good thing about $10 controller is that you can experiment with it a lot, including experiments like dipping it into a thunder jug, if somebody's scientific curiosity goes that far...

Good Stuff! - Thanks

KJINTF wrote:
Mex


Jimin
If you could measure the array voltage array current and at the same time the battery voltage and battery current - we would love to see the numbers with a discharged and a mostly full battery

Even if the machine is in the high 80% efficiency range for the $15.00 or so it sounds like it could be a good deal

I can do that with my MS TS 60 and report the numbers is anyone is interested

I can do that but it may be a while before I get back up in the hills. We should have been there now but work got in the way. Should have been up there 2 weeks ago and again work made a mess of the week.

I have the controller and the 220w panel here at the house. It wont produce the same numbers but at least I can run a few test when I get time.


A deeply discharged battery will require running the 12v fridge again and I'll have to make sure I'll have the weather to run the system first. Can't be having any half charged batteries now can we. :)

Here is the efficiency chart for the Rogue 3024 along with a quote from the manual.

"Typical efficiencies range from 95-97% under most conditions. As a rule of thumb, higher efficiency occurs as PV voltage increases (which causes a corresponding decrease in current for a given amount of power), and as the difference between PV and battery voltage decreases."



I usually see at or above 96% as several examples from the display show.

KJINTF wrote:

I can do that with my MS TS 60 and report the numbers is anyone is interested

Please do!!

Mex
A quick short simple answer - NO - They are not all the same
High end multiphase units can be >96% however that depends on voltage and current it's a marketing game - the user needs to be aware - There was a discussion going on with Mark from Rouge about efficiency without much of a outcome - Would be really nice to know how this one stacks up

Jimin
If you could measure the array voltage array current and at the same time the battery voltage and battery current - we would love to see the numbers with a discharged and a mostly full battery

Even if the machine is in the high 80% efficiency range for the $15.00 or so it sounds like it could be a good deal

I can do that with my MS TS 60 and report the numbers is anyone is interested