Question for all you solar experts

[69_Avion]

I have ordered a 250 watt Sharp 24 volt Solar panel. Now for my question. I would like to use a Morningstar Sun Saver 15 MPPT controller. The problem is that the sales person said that the 15 amp MPPT Sun Saver controller isn't large enough for my panel. Does anyone have experience with this? I don't want to have to go to a 45 amp controller unless I absolutely have to.

[69_Avion]

I finally have the solar system hooked up.

The Eco Worthy in the sprinkler box.

Notice the cigarette lighter receptacle. There is one underneath also.

[69_Avion]

Even though heat rises, I don't want water to get in. I'm not going to seal the bottom hole where the wires go in, so there will be ventilation, just not in the optimum place, on top. We will see how it works.

[JiminDenver]

I was thinking more along the terms of a sprinkler box is usually water tight, hence air tight. The controller does put off some heat and I think you will need some vent holes somehow.

[69_Avion]

JiminDenver wrote:
Looks great!

It looks pretty tight, remember that the controller will need ventilation for cooling even if it is shaded.

It has about 1-1/2" clearance behind it and in front of it plus the clearance around it. I can't do anything about the ambient outside temp, but it should be cooler outside the camper than it is inside the camper.

[JiminDenver]

Looks great!

It looks pretty tight, remember that the controller will need ventilation for cooling even if it is shaded.

[westend]

Nice looking box, looks perfect for the application.

[69_Avion]

I received the Orbit sprinkler box and it came with a GFCI plug that I removed since I can use it around the house. I will place a cigarette lighter plug in that space and I will place 2 manual 25 amp circuit breakers to the left of the Eco-Worthy controller. I like the box since it has a lock on it.








Now I just need to get the circuit breakers and the wire and finish the installation.

[69_Avion]

I found a sprinkler controller box at Amazon that I ordered. It is about 10"x10" and has a 110 volt outlet on the lower left corner. I'm thinking about taking that outlet out and putting in a cigarette lighter plug as an accessory outlet. It's just a thought at this time.

[69_Avion]

Those are some good ideas. I did find a sprinkler controller box that may work. I'll let you know what I come up with.

[bka0721]

69 Avion wrote:
The Eco Worthy MPPT controller came in today. It appears to be well made, but time will tell. I would like to mount it outside near the batteries and solar panel. Has anyone used a water tight plastic box with a hinged lid? If so, what did you use. I don't want a box that conducts heat.

Why don't you go down to the hunting department at Wal-Mart, or a Camera Shop/Google search, and pick up a Pelican Case? I used these for my video equipment, in my race cars, before the days of Go-Pro. They are great for camera equipment on the back of my motorcycle, and back in the day before camper, in the bed of my truck. They come in a host of different sizes and with a couple of Liquid Connectors from a Home Depot drilled through the side, you have a hinged box.

Stay in touch.

b

[JiminDenver]

That sounds good as long as it's not too close to the panel. I recorded temps between 90 and 120 degrees at the back of the panel and it was only 70* here.

I have to say both you and BFL got your controllers faster than I did.

[69_Avion]

JiminDenver wrote:
Roughly 6x6x2.

Any box you use make sure it's not see through unless you know it will be shaded.

I was going to use a hinged plastic box that doesn't conduct heat. I wanted one that was at least 4" or 5" deep. I prefer a hinged box so access is easy, but a person can't see what is inside of it. The reason for the increased depth was for heat dissipation. I really don't want to put it inside the camper because of the distance and in the summer time the camper gets really hot inside. If I put the box under the solar panel it will be shaded most of the time.

[JiminDenver]

Roughly 6x6x2.

Any box you use make sure it's not see through unless you know it will be shaded.

[westend]

69 Avion wrote:
The Eco Worthy MPPT controller came in today. It appears to be well made, but time will tell. I would like to mount it outside near the batteries and solar panel. Has anyone used a water tight plastic box with a hinged lid? If so, what did you use. I don't want a box that conducts heat.

I have a plastic 6" x 6" box that I mounted a charge controller in for my small wind generator. It is an all-weather box made by Kralow. It isn't hinged, though. There may be a NEMA rated box that is hinged, just haven't looked for one.

I also have a polycarbonate covered box that I use for my cable and Sat TV entry for the house. That also isn't hinged but the polycarbonate might be just the thing because you could see the controller inside. What you would do for ventilation might be tricky.

Just for curiosity, what is the size of the Ecoworthy?