BFL13 wrote:
Max Power Voltage (Vmp): 31.5 Volts
Max Power Current (Impp): 8.97 Amps
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 38.9 Volts
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 9.56 Amps
Ok so you aim your 280w panel at a high sun. Panel heats up within a minute or two and now you lose 10% power (because of voltage drop, not because of amps drop) so now you have actual 252W.
Lets say your wiring from panel to controller has a typical 2% voltage drop, so your input watts to the controller is now 247w.
The controller has an efficiency of say typical 95%, so you lose another 5% so your output watts is now about 235w
Amps to the battery is output watts /battery voltage. So as the battery voltage gets higher with the same watts, amps are less.
235/12.5 = 18.8 amps
235/13.5 = 17.4 amps
235/14.5 = 16.2 amps
With two panels, just double those numbers. The only reason to go series is if your panel to controller wire is thin. (To keep that loss under 3% say) Otherwise just go parallel and no diff in amps except in shade you don't lose so many.
Yes you can over-panel the Tracer 40 amper and no worries. ( I have a Tracer 2210A 20 amper--excellent controller! )
You do not need the remote for it. Save the $50 for some other task. The main unit has a display if you ever want to look at it. If you have a Trimetric, you can get the story on that pretty much.
Easiest thing to do is get a second Eco-W , one for each panel, and put both on the same battery bank in parallel. They will add their amps. That 40a Tracer is not cheap!
Great post B.... Thanks... I always value you comments...
I thank all for their help... Sry im a bit OCD but I like to learn and research as much as possible before I always move forward... I don't want to be the guy with 5 controllers and 20 panels in the shed lying around because they got it wrong the first time..
It ends up being expensive in the long run because you keep throwing parts and patches at previous attempts...
Hence is life....lol
BFL that charger is 139 here and fufilled by amazon... the 40 amp model..
https://www.amazon.com/Charge-Controller-Regulator-4210A-Display/dp/B073SXW15T/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1513659533&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=tracer+4210a&psc=1And as far as the remote, I believe you need the MT50 to change the parameters.. You cant do that through the main screen from what I read... I I think they have the voltages set screwy in there...
The meter is only 29 bucks...
https://www.amazon.com/Display-Suitable-Tracer-Tracer-BN-Controller/dp/B01NCF5VWZ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1513659949&sr=8-4&keywords=mt50+remote+meterI dont think getting a second eco is easier or cheaper... Why do you suggest that? I would have to get another 40 ft of wire for the second panel as I move it around in the sun. Then another hole in the floor to run more wires to batts..
That eco is 94 bucks...
