Remote Temp Comp for Solar30 Controller?

One thing to consider is what the controller will be doing with the info. I recently watched a you tube review of a 30a MPPT controller where the guy just couldn't stop gushing on how well the unit was made. The thing is the software was nuts making all of the perfect soldering and good components useless. So just having the option isn't the end all, how it is implemented still needs to be seen.

If the Windynation version's temp comp is optional (unit runs without it fitted, it says--I wonder about that) that would allow it to be at a different ambient temp from the batteries but with no temp comp. Many places have ambient temps where temp comp is not needed (like around here)

Many of the eBay low cost controllers have internal temp comp, not optional, or need it fitted like the Solar30 does, so that Windynation version has a big advantage.

Also no jerking the batteries around in conditions where the temp is changing faster than the batteries' temp can keep up with ambient.

If temp comp is needed and the unit is within 12ft, you could use the temp comp to the battery neg post .

I can't see it being that hard to get a set of male and female plugs and make a extension. That could be connected to the battery case which would be better than ambiant.

We were in the mountains since Friday and saw between freezing and 70 degrees daily. The batteries never changed temperatures that fast, in fact the 8-D hardly changed at all. So ambiant would have push higher voltages early and lower voltages later, neither would have been right for the battery.

Muddydogs wrote:

RoyB wrote:
Being we are just now looking at solar panels I am guessing TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION is something important to worry about???

i.e. you do not want your panels to overheat in the high SUN ????

Roy Ken

Actually the temp sensor is to keep your batterys from getting to hot during charging and to regulate the voltage going in depending on battery temp. has nothing to do with solar panel temp.

Roy, the temp comp just adjusts the set voltage for the as-is temperature. The set voltage ASSumes 80F so if the battery spec is to charge at 14.8 at 80F, and it is 40F, then the temp comp cranks up the voltage that is set to 14.8 to say 15.2 or whatever.

If the temp is 110F the temp comp will adjust the set 14.8 down to something less.

The idea is to give the battery the equivalent of the spec voltage it needs regardless of the actual temp. It is not just a solar controller thing, battery chargers like the VEC1093DBD have it too.

As seen in the link, the remote sensor should go on the neg battery post for best sense of internal battery temp. If that can't be arranged, then some stick on the side of the battery. Or failing that, you can put the controller with its own temp comp in a place that has the same ambient temp as the batteries.

Worst thing is to put a controller with its own internal temp comp sensor inside the rig where it is either warmer or colder than where the batteries are.

If a solar controller with the sensor in the controller and not remoted to the batteries, is in a warmer place than the batteries, and it set to start controlling (not let the battery voltage go any higher than that setting) then it will start controlling too soon. It will be set to 14.8, but adjust itself to 14.5 say.

So the batteries are actually wanting that 14.8 at their lower temperature, but they will never see it, only 14.5.

Thanks Muddydogs - That makes sense....

I know charging here I only see 14.4VDC going for around two hours only then drops back to 13.6VDC. Then eventually drops down to 13.2VDC until battery current is demanded again which it jumps back to 13.6VDC then...

I guess the solar chargers follow the same smart mode charging rules when the batteries are demanding charge current....

Roy Ken

I have to laugh at how the company describes quality on the ebay link...

:)

Just a heads up, as I did not read all the fine print that came with my Solar 30.

I got caught in a deluge of rain with my Solar 30 outside while experiencing horizontal rain and hail. The Solar 30 did not like this while mounted on my portable solar panel. It is now DOA. $31 trashed in the name of science. Use and mount your Solar 30 internally, out of the weather and elements.

Really saddened to see it die, it was a great unit.

BFL13 wrote:
In another thread muddydogs linked to his controller, which looks like a version of the Solar30. (both made by ChinaSolar looks like. The Solar30 has a little antenna you plug in the top of the unit as its temp comp sensor, but it is required to be fitted or the unit will not operate.

PT keeps asking if that can be run out on a long wire to the battery instead but not seen any way to do that. Until now maybe.

The windynation version has an optional temp comp that goes in the same hole in its unit but it seems the unit will work without it, since it is optional.

Scroll down to how that works. That is exactly what PT was wondering about. I am wondering if the windynation rempte line would work in the Solar30 instead of the little antenna.


http://www.ebay.ca/itm/30A-12V-24V-Solar-Controller-Regulator-Charge-Battery-Protection-CE-Certify-New-/311060757226?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item486caa7aea


http://www.windynation.com/cm/P30L%20Controller%20Manual_R1.pdf

It sure looks like the same plug on both units. The Windynation paper work states the temp probe is optional, I will find out in a couple days. Just for info the Windynation temp wire is 12 foot long.

RoyB wrote:
Being we are just now looking at solar panels I am guessing TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION is something important to worry about???

i.e. you do not want your panels to overheat in the high SUN ????

Roy Ken

Actually the temp sensor is to keep your batterys from getting to hot during charging and to regulate the voltage going in depending on battery temp. has nothing to do with solar panel temp.

Being we are just now looking at solar panels I am guessing TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION is something important to worry about???

i.e. you do not want your panels to overheat in the high SUN ????

Roy Ken