Pairing up the Eco-worthy 20a MPPT controller
Thanks to BFL confirming that the Eco-Worthy controller plays well when run with another controller, I felt pretty good about combining my two matched controllers. Each had one of the Bosch 245w mono ...
Forum Discussion
Roy
With what you have told me about your power use, roof space and limited sunlight, I can't see 18-20a doing it honestly. You are taking your three grp 24 batteries down to 50% or roughly 112 ah and get 5 hours of good light. Even without losses and the acceptance rate tapering down, you are looking at 100 ah at best.
It would require two controllers but if you could get the 240w panel up there for a total of 440w I think it was a much better chance. A pair of Tracer MPPT controllers would allow you to run the 120w in series and the 240w on it's own. At least you can set both controllers to do the same thing.
I'd say two Eco-w's (only because they are cheap) but the pair of 120's in series would have to high of a VOC and you would lose the MPPT advantage in parallel.
Another option would be to find two smaller panels to fit where the 240w will fit. Maybe a pair of 80w or 100w and then all could run parallel on a single PWM or all in series with a MPPT controller. I know MPPT wouldn't give you a great deal more but if any one is a candidate for needing that extra bit of power, it is you.
Outside if that you can add a portable which could really up the amps all day or mount less, run the generator in the morning and let the solar finish it off.
it's too bad the big panels are such a hassle as portables. A pair of them on the ground tracking the sun and a pair of Eco-w's would give you a lot more power to work with. I could pull 32a for 12 hours and with the shoulder hours the total could be over 500 ah if the controllers stayed at max all day. (life on the mountain top is good ;))
With what you have told me about your power use, roof space and limited sunlight, I can't see 18-20a doing it honestly. You are taking your three grp 24 batteries down to 50% or roughly 112 ah and get 5 hours of good light. Even without losses and the acceptance rate tapering down, you are looking at 100 ah at best.
It would require two controllers but if you could get the 240w panel up there for a total of 440w I think it was a much better chance. A pair of Tracer MPPT controllers would allow you to run the 120w in series and the 240w on it's own. At least you can set both controllers to do the same thing.
I'd say two Eco-w's (only because they are cheap) but the pair of 120's in series would have to high of a VOC and you would lose the MPPT advantage in parallel.
Another option would be to find two smaller panels to fit where the 240w will fit. Maybe a pair of 80w or 100w and then all could run parallel on a single PWM or all in series with a MPPT controller. I know MPPT wouldn't give you a great deal more but if any one is a candidate for needing that extra bit of power, it is you.
Outside if that you can add a portable which could really up the amps all day or mount less, run the generator in the morning and let the solar finish it off.
it's too bad the big panels are such a hassle as portables. A pair of them on the ground tracking the sun and a pair of Eco-w's would give you a lot more power to work with. I could pull 32a for 12 hours and with the shoulder hours the total could be over 500 ah if the controllers stayed at max all day. (life on the mountain top is good ;))
