alliemac9 wrote:
My question is whether I would understand more if I bought the TriStar remote meter?
Yes.
Does the remote meter provide any info on the power generated by the panels separate from the power being fed into the batteries?
Yes.
KD4UPL wrote:
Theoretically all the power made by the panels is fed into the batteries.
No. See below.
Almot wrote:
Still, me thinks ;) ... that if you multiply the Amps "In" on Trimetric by 13V, you will get the power (=watts) that panels are putting out.
No again. See below.
smkettner wrote:
If you are hitting 14.2+ volts at least once per day I would not add any additional monitoring unless you want to make a hobby out of it.
If that is all that matters to you (not a put down), agreed.
KJINTF wrote:
Hi
Everyone has a bit different wants / needs
I have both the Trimetric 2025rv and the MS TS-RM2 remote meter w/ my MS Tristar MPPT 60 system. The two displays are complementary with different data being displayed.
I look at my system as a power source NOT simply a battery charger. The TS-RM2 shows what the power source (550watt PV array)is doing as in supplying power to the Inverter and other large 12 volt loads, power that never reaches the battery bank. NO way for the Trimetric to see what's happening when no current is coming from or going to the battery bank.
IMHO both displays are important if you want to see what's happening
PS - I have seen over 40amps on the TS-RM2 with a negative 5 amps on the Trimeteric. Clearly shows the PV array was supplying the lions share of the power to the inverter
This hits the nail on the head.
The Trimetric only sees what is going in or out of the battery. It has no awareness of power that is going directly to loads. Any equipment operated while the panels are producing power is getting its power directly from the panels (up to the limit the panels can produce). This can be a significant amount. At the end of the day, I have often found that 30% or more of the power produced has gone to supply loads.
This is why you cannot simply multiply the Trimetric ‘amps in’ to the batteries by some arbitrary voltage and determine the power produced by the panels.
If you want to balance the task of powering loads during the day with ensuring the batteries still receive a proper charge, having the display makes the task much easier.
