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 panels aimed not perfect but good enough considering that they will be flat mounted. I used a fully charged 95 ah grp 27 so that I could move the voltage easier than the 8-D.
I used the inverter and a 1875w hair dryer as a load. I tried high but the voltage dropped so fast that the inverter shut off before I could check either the controllers or the meter on the battery. After shutting off the inverter the controllers put out a combined 28-30 amps until it hit float.
After it had been in float a bit I tried the low setting on the hair dryer. This time the batteries voltage only dropped to 12.3v and both controllers were putting out 13a average. I knew they were good for more so I disconnected one of the panels and the other controller shot up near 16a. This let the battery drop in voltage and when I plugged in the other panel, both systems ran close to 16a. They stayed that way until I shut off the hair dryer and inverter and let the battery come up.
I did find that I could use the high setting for short times if I started in low and let the controllers get ramped up. They were putting out 13a each until I hit high, then they jumped up above 16a each. The voltage did drop but slower this time. With the help of the solar, the hair dryer ran a minute before the inverters alarm went off.
I did get a chance to see the Mono panels with on and off clouds. Any significant clouding and the output dropped to 2.5a for each panel even if I was running a load. I didn't pull out the 230w poly but I've seen it do 3-4a in lower light. Just shutting down the inverter would save more amps than I'm losing, it's a real pig.
So I'm pretty happy with the combined systems. I'll probably see higher amps up at altitude but only if I'm running the microwave at high noon. With this in mind, I may go with the Rogue 30a instead of the Morningstar 45a for mounting and save the money. Clipping may not be a issue often and it would only be a few amps at peak hours.
Last thing is about the absorb cycle on the Eco-worthys. Even if I set the absorb at 15v, it didn't last. The controller would come out of bulk, switch to absorb and raise the voltage to the set point. As soon as it hit that the controllers dropped to float. I will say that 32a pushes a grp 27 around pretty easy. Next test it will be the 8-D, it doesn't push so easy.
I used the inverter and a 1875w hair dryer as a load. I tried high but the voltage dropped so fast that the inverter shut off before I could check either the controllers or the meter on the battery. After shutting off the inverter the controllers put out a combined 28-30 amps until it hit float.
After it had been in float a bit I tried the low setting on the hair dryer. This time the batteries voltage only dropped to 12.3v and both controllers were putting out 13a average. I knew they were good for more so I disconnected one of the panels and the other controller shot up near 16a. This let the battery drop in voltage and when I plugged in the other panel, both systems ran close to 16a. They stayed that way until I shut off the hair dryer and inverter and let the battery come up.
I did find that I could use the high setting for short times if I started in low and let the controllers get ramped up. They were putting out 13a each until I hit high, then they jumped up above 16a each. The voltage did drop but slower this time. With the help of the solar, the hair dryer ran a minute before the inverters alarm went off.
I did get a chance to see the Mono panels with on and off clouds. Any significant clouding and the output dropped to 2.5a for each panel even if I was running a load. I didn't pull out the 230w poly but I've seen it do 3-4a in lower light. Just shutting down the inverter would save more amps than I'm losing, it's a real pig.
So I'm pretty happy with the combined systems. I'll probably see higher amps up at altitude but only if I'm running the microwave at high noon. With this in mind, I may go with the Rogue 30a instead of the Morningstar 45a for mounting and save the money. Clipping may not be a issue often and it would only be a few amps at peak hours.
Last thing is about the absorb cycle on the Eco-worthys. Even if I set the absorb at 15v, it didn't last. The controller would come out of bulk, switch to absorb and raise the voltage to the set point. As soon as it hit that the controllers dropped to float. I will say that 32a pushes a grp 27 around pretty easy. Next test it will be the 8-D, it doesn't push so easy.
