This lively discussion on the (intended vs. actual) use of MorningStar's load output is very interesting!
I think that MorningStar makes
great solar charge controllers! I use 2
SunSaver MPPT-15's in my TC as my solar panels are divided into 2 banks (as it happens, one is polycrystalline & the other is mono').
I don't currently use the load output operate any of the camper loads on my DC distribution panel… which is currently wired directly to the batteries. However I
do use one one of them as a "diversion load controller" to power a 12Vdc water heating element.
I'm now intrigued by the possibility of using the other un-used load output for
some of my DC loads. For example; lights, fans, TV, radio, and water pump, but NOT fridge, jacks, and inverter. This would indeed protect my batteries by turning off the loads if the battery voltages dropped below the pre-set threshhold. On the other hand, if/when I cause the battery voltage to sag… say, while cooking dinner in the microwave powered from the inverter… then my lights and fan would shut off :o
In addition, I have uploaded firmware to my MPPT-15's that adds a feature called
Lighting Control. This allows the user to select the operation of the load output based on sunrise and sunset. I suspect that there may be some additional clever uses for this functionality in addition to simply turning lights on and off…
One more thing; MorningStar does have a few suggested wiring diagrams for
proper inverter wiring and
controlling an inverter with the load output.Hmmm :R lots of food for thought!
Cheers,
-Mark
