Quick Test of Eco-Worthy MPPT Controller

BFL13 wrote:
I too got in another quick test using the 12v 130w panel and Eco-Worthy. Objective was to:

--compare panel Isc with the amps showing on the Eco-Worthy display and
-- compare the Eco-W's amps with the Trimetric amps as a check on the accuracy of the Eco W's read-out.

The amps display checked out (as did the voltage display on the earlier test)

Panel Isc (or better with MPPT) should have been showing on the Trimetric and also on the Eco-W display. The amps showing was higher than the panel Isc when panel disconnected. (Proving that MPPT was happening as advertised)

This last was important because with a 24v panel there is no simple way to compare what you should be getting with what you are getting. This test with the 12v panel showed that there is some higher amps effect for sure.

Another thing was the watts read out on the Eco W. No idea where they get the numbers from. Was getting some cloud effect (panel rated 8.2a Isc) and saw over 10a on the amps display and also on the Trimetric. Watts (it is a 130w panel) showed as many as 134w Other times when cloud reduced amps to 4.5ish watts were way down (didn't note number)

Anyway, I am not sure what to make of the watts display wrt the amps and battery voltage (or panel voltage if that can be derived from the watts and amps?) Anyway I don't really care about watts. :)

So that's it till April on that from me. The thing does work, it is real MPPT not fake, and it is up to the individual whether it would work in his set-up. I like it! :)

Thanks again, Jim.

If you have a current meter and voltmeter you can compare what power goes in and what power comes out.

yes, amps is what you care about for charging, but POWER is the only way to compare the input and output of the controller.

what power comes out should be very close to what power went in. Best choice is a clamp on DC current probe, but a current meter with the range at least equal to the Isc of the panel will do.

You know what is coming out by looking at the trimetric Volts x amps= watts = output power.

On the input side, measure the voltage at the eco worthy solar input terminals and the current in one of the leads to the eco worthy solar input terminals. that's where a clamp on current probe is handy.

So then volts x amps = input watts= input power.

Now compare to the output power calculation you did.

The two should be very close to each other. The input power should be slightly higher than output power. However, trimetric only has 0.1A and 0.1V resolution, so don't be suprised if there is some reasonable discrepency, say 10W. In fact don't be suprised if output power is greater than input power, you likely don't have enough resolution and accuracy since input and output current and voltage measurements aren't being made with the same instrumentation.