Proposed System

[antonycurley]

4 x Panasonic panels - HIT VBHN285SJ40 - 285w

ISC - 5.91A
VOC - 63.5V
IMP - 5.49A
VMP - 52V


Would a MorningStar MPPT - 45 be ok for this set of panels 2s2p or do i really need to go 60amp or 80amp - with 4 x 6volt batteries around 300 - 350ah...?

I hope that this system is going to cope with what i need so hoping i won't need to expand in the future.....

[sensij]

4 x Panasonic panels - HIT VBHN285SJ40 - 285w

ISC - 5.91A
VOC - 63.5V
IMP - 5.49A
VMP - 52V


Would a MorningStar MPPT - 45 be ok for this set of panels 2s2p or do i really need to go 60amp or 80amp?

I hope that this system is going to cope with what i need so hoping i won't need to expand in the future.....

45 A is fine. At *STC* you have 1140 W, or 47.5 A @ 24 V. STC conditions are very rare in the real world, and losses from the charge controller itself mean that you won't be costing yourself *any* power with the smaller controller in this configuration.

[Mike90250]

The MS MPPT-60 has a hidden feature - it's built in web interface. If you can plug it into a router, you can monitor it and not need the $100 meter panel. The base model comes with a blank front panel. the -45 does not have the web interface.

[antonycurley]

The MS MPPT-60 has a hidden feature - it's built in web interface. If you can plug it into a router, you can monitor it and not need the $100 meter panel. The base model comes with a blank front panel. the -45 does not have the web interface.

Only one problem with that. No landline for calls or internet.

Internet will be solely from a sim card/wi fi spot.

House is completely off grid.

I might go for the 60amp anyway as it just gives me that bit of room for slight expansion...

[Mike90250]

For setup & testing, you will want to be able to "see" whats going on inside the Controller. Either with the $100 meter, or using a $15 router and your existing computer.
(Noonish on a cloudy day, 3Kw array)

TristarMPPT60_9Jan2018.jpg

[antonycurley]

For setup & testing, you will want to be able to "see" whats going on inside the Controller. Either with the $100 meter, or using a $15 router and your existing computer.
(Noonish on a cloudy day, 3Kw array)

TristarMPPT60_9Jan2018.jpg

I understand that but.....

Does it actually need an internet connection or could you just connect the CC to Router via Ethernet then connect to the Laptop via Ethernet or WiFi?

[Mike90250]

no internet needed. I just hooked a wifi router up to mine, and took the screenshot 300feet away at my desk. Been doing that for 5 years
Morningstar on router port 1
ComBox on port 2
Midnight classic on port 3
And I can see them all from my desk

[antonycurley]

Im leaning more towards the Outback or the Midnite Classic as both have more headroom for expansion at 24v and both come already with LCD built in....

[Mike90250]

Classic also has HTML interface for their free Local App to view, monitor and adjust remotely (like over my wifi link)

ClassicPeakPower_2112W.jpg

[KMac]

Just a further comment on the internet capability of Morningstar 60 MPPT vs the 45 You may just have a 4G internet connection but I understand Morningstar is coming out with a service to view the data in the cloud. When away, you could then view everything, theoretically using just a cellular connection to the internet to upload it (without having to use a VPN to tunnel back into your router). It will be a great feature for me since I will be able to monitor my cabin when away, and that's especially important since I have things running every day in summer (well and irrigation on timers).