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BFL13's avatar
BFL13
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2013

Quick Test of Eco-Worthy MPPT Controller

Ordered it on 3 Oct arrived at the door 23 Oct free shipping.

Controller rated to 42V so watch that. EG I have it on one 230w panel, Voc 37v at 25C, so would be more Voc at cold temps.

Not able to do proper testing with Trimetric to measure, but rigged up a yard test to see if the thing worked at all :)

Used one full SOC 12v battery with a 400w inverter clamped on and two 100w lamps for an estimated 20a draw. Got battery to 12.5v connected controller and 230w panel (Voc 36.8, Vmp 30 , Isc, 8.34, Imp 7.67 )

The displayed voltage was confirmed with another voltmeter. Before starting, checked disconnected panel aimed at sun, got:

34.7Voc and 8.06 Isc. (Rated 36.8 and 8.34) so expected less than max amps.

Best amps on controller when aiming panel was 14.99a Didn't note battery voltage

Lost the window--sun behind trees. It works (assuming its amps read-out is to be believed) and might even get my hoped for 16 to 17 amps on a better day. So far so good. Be a while before I can do any real testing and comparisons with PWM.

Just wanted to report the controller seems ok as was posted by JiminDenver. Jim, thanks for the good steer to this controller for $102

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26464298/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

http://www.eco-worthy.com/catalog/mppt-solar-charge-controller-free-shipping-p-182.html

99 Replies

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  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    Here's the specs on the 120W and 160W portable folding solar panels from Solar Blvd.


    Priestley Pring
    Oct 25 (9 days ago)

    to me
    Hi,

    Here are the specs on the 120:

    Electrical Data
    Peak Power (+/- 5%)
    Voltage at Pmax (VMP) : 17.2 V
    Current at Pmax (IMP) : 6.98 A
    Open Circuit Voltage (VOC): 21.8 V
    Short Circuit Current (ISC): 7.76 A
    Maximum System Voltage: 1000V
    Diode Protection Fitted
    Mechanical Data
    Front Glass: 3.2 mm (1/8 in) tempered
    Junction Box: IP-65 rated with diode
    Output Cables: 900mm length cable / Multi-contact
    Frame: Anodized aluminium alloy type
    Weight: 13 kgs.


    Here are the specs on the 160:

    Electrical Data
    Peak Power (+/- 5%)
    Voltage at Pmax (VMP) : 18 V
    Current at Pmax (IMP) : 8.88 A
    Open Circuit Voltage (VOC): 22.1 V
    Short Circuit Current (ISC): 9.64A
    Maximum System Voltage: 1000V
    Diode Protection Fitted
    Mechanical Data
    Front Glass: 3.2 mm (1/8 in) tempered
    Junction Box: IP-65 rated with diode
    Output Cables: 900mm length cable / Multi-contact
    Frame: Anodized aluminium alloy type
    Weight: 16 kgs
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 03, 2013
    Friction tape! That's what I remember it being called. Thanks.
  • scroller95969's avatar
    scroller95969
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    BFL13 wrote:
    AFAIK, the only reason to use the load terminals is so you can use the various timer features of the controller for when the load is to be on or turned off if the battery becomes too low.

    I hate those tiny screw downs for attaching the wires. I ended up using #8 wire for pigtails in the bigger holes underneath the screws so when the screw is down it holds the wire and makes contact above too. Even so, I had to use black tape to keep the wires from touching each other at the terminals and shorting.

    ( I don't know what to call that black tape. It used to be called hockey stick tape and it was not this new vinyl kind either. Hope that does not date myself ! :) )


    Friction tape?
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    Nov 03, 2013
    AFAIK, the only reason to use the load terminals is so you can use the various timer features of the controller for when the load is to be on or turned off if the battery becomes too low.

    I hate those tiny screw downs for attaching the wires. I ended up using #8 wire for pigtails in the bigger holes underneath the screws so when the screw is down it holds the wire and makes contact above too. Even so, I had to use black tape to keep the wires from touching each other at the terminals and shorting.

    ( I don't know what to call that black tape. It used to be called hockey stick tape and it was not this new vinyl kind either. Hope that does not date myself ! :) )
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    The reason I was asking is that I have my Eco Worthy controller installed, but the manual reset circuit breakers haven't arrived yet. I was thinking about installing 2 different cigarette lighter power sockets, one off of the battery and one off of the "load" side of the controller if it provided decent power during the daytime. I guess I could run both power sockets off of the batteries. I was just curious if the "load" side actually worked at around 12 volts.


  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    JiminDenver, have you ever tried the power off of the "load" side of the Eco-Worthy MPPT controller?
  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    ktmrfs wrote:
    NinerBikes wrote:
    ktmrfs wrote:
    BFL

    At least I think it was you. Asked about temp effects and what temp panels are referenced to.

    well, I just got a 100 W portable panel from solar world. And looked at the panel spec's. Nominal panel temp for rated spec's for Imp and Isc and Vmp is 47C.

    Which works out to pretty close to the panel temps I was seeing in my report on MPPT controllers for panel temp at a 70F ambient.


    Link to 100w portable panel from solar world? My Googler is having a hard time finding that product.


    Well, looks like solar blvd is kinda like Costco. If you see it and want it buy it because it may be gone tomorrow.

    Yup, looked, and it looks like the 100 and 160 W panels are gone. All that I found was a 120W panel.



    The webpage does not keep up on current inventory. They have 160W folding, for like $245 or $249. The 120w folding is $195.

    I suggest you call them and place an order, the web page is not correct on all their current offerings... some items are there, but do go on back order. They had 160w in stock when I bought my 120W job 10 or 12 days ago.

    Call them. 951 279 8100

    I bought the 120w job and here at 34*N , I had no problems pulling in 6.33 amps, and my battery was only run with some lights for 15 mintutes before I plugged in the solar panel with a $15 RC charger reader. This was a week ago, late Octobrer, so the sun is sitting a lot lower now, than most of the time when I camp.
  • JiminDenver's avatar
    JiminDenver
    Explorer II
    Nov 02, 2013
    You may have to call them on the 160w kit, it never showed on the web site even with the link they sent me in the email. Even if they are gone, I bet they get more in as well as they have sold.

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