Home brew Arduino MPPT controller
Pretty cool project. Highly programmable. He does not list the amps it is capable of but I'm thinking 4-8 only based on the diode sizing. There are some very sophisticated MPPT algorithms out there...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
My understanding is that MPPT requires the use of rare earths materials. That boosts costs. I think that has been part of the "hold up" for Marc (Rogue controller developer). It was also one of the reasons Blue Sky stopped making their 50 amp model.
If you are in a self propelled RV, look at building a "solar trailer".
Do an energy audit and provide for 2 to 5 days of storage. Between the roof of the RV and such a trailer it should be easy to get to say 1500 watts of panels. (1000 on the trailer and 500 on the roof of the RV).
If you are willing to burn propane, then the solar requirements drop dramatically. But I was aiming at 100% electric other than motive power.
My understanding is that MPPT requires the use of rare earths materials. That boosts costs. I think that has been part of the "hold up" for Marc (Rogue controller developer). It was also one of the reasons Blue Sky stopped making their 50 amp model.
If you are in a self propelled RV, look at building a "solar trailer".
Do an energy audit and provide for 2 to 5 days of storage. Between the roof of the RV and such a trailer it should be easy to get to say 1500 watts of panels. (1000 on the trailer and 500 on the roof of the RV).
If you are willing to burn propane, then the solar requirements drop dramatically. But I was aiming at 100% electric other than motive power.
mlts22 wrote:
What I wonder about is why that we have PWM controllers at all. MPPT is better in every single way, and gets rid of a lot of headaches. If mass produced, economies of scale would make MPPT controllers the same price as PWM ones.
I'm itching to try building a collapsable, free-standing solar frame that can either stay at the boondocking festival site I'm at indefinitely, or be taken down and slid into a cargo trailer or truck bed. Time to look up costs, but if done right, it would provide enough power to my rig to counteract the drain from the furnace, so I never have to fire up the generator unless I am running the microwave or A/C. It would have its own battery bank and use a PSW inverter. That way, while I'm gone on weekdays, it can charge the batteries up, then I can plug it in, let the RV charger go from there.
