MPPT solar charge controller recommendaion

[dakonthemountai]

Hi All,

I know,... yet another solar power question! I've done quite a bit of research and received some good information here, so thanks for all that so far! After considerable time researching this all I am now convinced completely that I want an MPPT.

The Question: I've seen 30amp MPPT controllers from Tracer for $136 all the way up past the Morningstar and others up to over $700! Why such a difference in prices? (other than perhaps a few bells and whistles) Do any of you have a specific recommendation based on your own use? I'm going to be charging 2 AGM batteries and my use is lights, furnace, fans, 12v TV/DVR, and water pump. I want a 30 amp to allow for expansion later if wanted/needed. Cost of course is a consideration.

Thanks in advance!...

Dak

[Powerdude]

Lots of good info here. Thank you.

[Lwiddis]

Bigfoot says "We use less than 25 ah/day... Charging cell phones, laptop, Ipands, reading 1.-2 hrs a night and maybe a movie."

I'm using 40 or less per day and just not sure what others are doing to use 100+ per day.

[Geewizard]

Morningstar.

I've installed a whole bunch of Morningstar PWM and MPPT controllers for solar-powered seismic monitoring stations in AK, ID, and MT. These are, in general, remote sites that can only be visited once a year or every couple of years. We had to do it right the first time.

My experience led me to purchase Morningstar MPPT controllers for my TC and for my small travel trailer.

[woodhog]

Another vote for Morningstar, we maintain over 40 wildlife remote monitoring sites and have never had a controller failure...

On one site the equipment covers where ripped off by animals and the
controller was still working after sitting in the rain for a month..

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Below 400 watts I'd use PWM. I'd pick the Grape controller and use the money saved to buy an extra panel.

If you must have MPPT and do not plan to expand then the Tracer BN model is a good fit.

If you do plan ahead for expansion, buy a tristar 60 amp controller now. It will run more efficiently than the 45 unit.

If going MPPT get panels with lots of diodes and wire the panels in series.

[bigfootford]

If you pick panels with a 17.6 or less VMP there is no need to go with MPPT! Performance of PWM is just as good...

The next thing is to think about your panels and were to place them so you can still get around on your roof.

I too am partial to Morningstar... Either their PWM or MPPT with the remote control panel is great!

As a note... Some recommend a 2 to 1 solar watts to AH of battery....

I have 2 100 watt panels= 200 watts and 1 100ah AGM battery.... Because my Solar panel VMP is 23.5vdc MPPT is needed. My peak amps that I see in the summer is between 13 -14 amps.

I have found I no longer need 2 batteries after led lights, Wave 3 heat and a LED tv.

You need to do a audit of Amp Hour usage. That will help you determine your true needs.

We use less than 25 ah/day... Charging cell phones, laptop, Ipands, reading 1.-2 hrs a night and maybe a movie.

Jim

[DWeikert]

I have the BlueSky 2000e controller and I'm happy with it. That 25 amp model has been replaced by the 30 amp 3000i. Only caveat is it's input voltage isn't as high as some models so putting the panels in series to minimize wire losses isn't an option. That alone may explain some of the price difference.

[Boatycall]

skipro3 wrote:
I called (MorningStar) and talked directly to a tech. ....You just can't ask for better customer service

That reminds me... I called Morningstar once just for questions. Great people.

Another point worth mentioning - the call was about "over watt'ing" the controller. You can more than double the wattage input rating with panels and it simply shunts what it can't use to it's max of 45a output.

Why would you do that you ask...? Why not just get a bigger controller?

Here in Western Wa, we will likely never see "ideal" solar conditions except the mid day july sun. You may need 800 or 900 watts in solar just to get 600 watts out. But you go on a road trip to Arizona...now you have too many watts in panels. No big deal, it will safely shunt what it can't use and peak out at it's max charge rate.

[Ski_Pro_3]

Morningstar are good when things go bad too. My solar controller started acting up intermittently. I called them and talked directly to a tech. The tech sent me a new replacement and a return shipping label for the broken one, no cost to me. I didn't have a receipt, or any proof I purchased the controller either, and he didn't care. You just can't ask for better customer service than that.

[time2roll]

I have the Morningstar 60 amp. Probably just needed the 45. You should do fine with the 30 amp version to save a few $$.

Really like the programming on Morningstar. The profile is fully adjustable and will choose a different charging profile for storage vs. in use vs. in hard use.

[hedge]

I currently have the tracer and have purchased the Morningstar to replace it. I have no real issue with the Tracer other than I couldn't fit my 4 gauge wires in the lugs. Not entirely sure why I decided to buy the MS but I had the money so it seemed like a good idea at the time.

When you compare the two side by side, the MS seems much higher quality.

PS, the tracer is sold under many names, the one above in fact looks like a tracer B series. Anything with EPSolar, but Renogy also rebrands them and I believe WindyNation as well.

[TucsonJim]

I went with a 40A MPPT controller from Solar Epic which I purchased off of Amazon for $193. It allows up to 150VDC from the array. currently I'm feeding it with three 100W panels for an input of about 63V with good solar conditions. Here's a picture of my set up:



And here's a link to the controller

Solar Epic Controller

Jim

[Colo_Native]

Another vote for Morning Star I have 45amp

[Lwiddis]

I went 30 amp MPPT. Should have purchased 40 amp.