charge controllers...ebay china cheapos vs morningstar

Rbertalotto wrote:

The first Phocos did not work so I called Solar Blvd and the next day I had a replacement. Great service! The second one kinda worked but it didn't seem to be letting the battery charge properly. The panel was putting out "X" and the controller was only applying a small percentage to the battery.

I realized that AltE Solar was a bout three miles from my office

http://www.altestore.com/store/

So I bit the bullet and bought a morningstar 20A controller for $79

I told ya ;) ... Follow the crowd. Nobody knows anything about Phocos, they are not popular. Now you know why. Solar Blvd is a great place, though they carry both good and not so good items.

I very timely post......

I bought a $288 solar system from Solar Blvd

http://www.solarblvd.com/Solar-Panels-&-Systems-12-Volt-Solar-Kits/c1_272/p2748/12-Volt-120-Watt-Solar-Panel-Kit-with-FREE-SHIPPING/product_info.html

It included the following:
1 pcs: 120 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel
1 pcs: Phocos CML-20, 20 Amp 12V PWM Charge Controller
1 pcs: Phocos CMM Volts/Amp Display For Charge Controller
1 pcs: 40 FT 10 Gauge AWG PV Solar Cable w/ MC4 Connectors
1 pcs: Z Bracket (4 Pack)





The first Phocos did not work so I called Solar Blvd and the next day I had a replacement. Great service! The second one kinda worked but it didn't seem to be letting the battery charge properly. The panel was putting out "X" and the controller was only applying a small percentage to the battery.

I realized that AltE Solar was a bout three miles from my office

http://www.altestore.com/store/

So I bit the bullet and bought a morningstar 20A controller for $79 and installed it with the same wiring the Phocos was using. Immediate improvement. Battery charged right up to full within 8 hours of good sunlight. Seems to be working great!



Now I'm a happy camper!

BTW, I wrote a whole article about this experience on my web page

www.rvbprecision.com

I guess for me it's like this. DW drives a Volvo S80 with twin turbo and I drive a cheapo (not) Malibu.

I just looked up the Morningstar TriStar TS-60 $190.45 and the Morningstar TriStar 60a MPPT $569.95 From a novice point of view, sure would be nice to own either one. For me, I have Malibu mentality. So I sure as heck hope these cheapo Controllers continue to get my little systems up and running every day.

I will concede any day of the week, there may be Good, Better and Best. I just don't know. Don't have a 'testing lab' Hope to see the outcome of the test soon. If it's all bad for me, perhaps I'll remove the collection from the shelf and continue the use of my cheaper MPPT.

Has anyone seen a "Cheap" unit efficiency test?

Be nice to see some graphs showing I/O power, Voltages, currents , heat dissapation, etc.

Yes, but not really relevant to your question since the cheapo I had was an on/off controller so, apples and oranges. I have a Morningstar TS-45 (PWM) now and love it, mainly for the remote temperature sensor and the ability to program absorption set point among other things (as far as I know none of the cheapos allow this beyond a selection based on a few different battery types).

OP, it's like asking if anybody had bought a cheap fridge and then upgraded to better. Too many variables.

How "cheap"? MPPT or PWM? How many amps? Does it (the one that you are thinking to buy) have a battery-mounted temp sensor and adjustable setpoints? Are there any detailed specs, like efficiency at different power levels?

When talking about PWM under 15A, the price difference between cheap and good is negligible, gambling not worth the risk.

JiminDenver wrote:
So for the only cheap MPPT controller tested is the Eco-worthy 20a MPPT controller I use and one Old and Slow is using now.
I don't much of his but the Eco worthy cost $100, has a temp sensor in case and has adjustable voltage for the absorb and float levels. I've used this year with success.

There are fake MPPT controllers out there so check them out first.

I wouldn't know what ever the fake is is as compared with my MPPT from Tektrum @ $62.00 for the 15a 12/24v controller. Bought it through Amazon. Had I known at the time of purchase, the Eco-Worthy was only $100 I might have one on hand for my collection. I tried the Tektrum? for the first time today. No blue smoke:C It preformed to my novice satisfaction. Now, on the price of Controllers coming down in price, yes, I see the same one I have on Ebay for around $32.00 and I have one 20a 12/24v PWM that was $17.00 on Ebay that has also been great for use with the 100w 24v Panel. Two others I have ordered from EBay are coming direct from HK that were $12/$15 with shipping. $12.00 I consider a cheap day harvesting the sun. Then to the shelf.

O$S
Floyd


As a side note to one of Tech's, Do you think what is being sold as MTTP (15/30a) can operate without a large heat sink with two donuts inside? OR has technology perhaps advanced recently.

Yes and hell yes, but that was several years ago. Some of the "cheepy" china controllers are getting better. The EP Solar Landstar series of controllers seem to be pretty good and a good reputation on here. In fact I just bought one of the Landstar WaterProof models for the boat based on comments here. Seems to be an almost exact duplicate of the morningstar sunsaver algothrym at 1/3 the price.

So for the only cheap MPPT controller tested is the Eco-worthy 20a MPPT controller I use and one Old and Slow is using now.
I don't much of his but the Eco worthy cost $100, has a temp sensor in case and has adjustable voltage for the absorb and float levels. I've used this year with success.

There are fake MPPT controllers out there so check them out first.