is midnite solar is the best charge controller in the world?

[James1079]

Hi my name is Jamie. I am looking for a good charge controller. I have 8 x 6 volt 230 amp hour FLA batteries and 12 x Trina 235w panels. I bought a generic 60 amp mppt charge controller on eBay. But after fighting with it I have decided to invest in a decent charge controller. I'm looking for something that can handle my batteries and panels efficiently and also has the capability to monitor all the watts going in and out via my computer. I don't want to be reliant on internet access or Wi-Fi for this if possible because although I do have Internet on my phone that I can hook it to the computer I do not have a hotspot or home internet. My budget is $600 for the charge controller. Is there something that is suited to my needs? I've been looking at midnight solar, Morningstar, E P ever. I can't figure out if any of these can meet my monitoring desire without internet. Does anyone have experience with these models or have suggestions of others? Edit: I also heard Outback was a good brand. Also I am ready to buy Breakers but I think I need to choose a charge controller and string configuration before I can size the breakers. Edit: my panels will be maximum 50ft round trip from the batteries / controller / & inverter

[Mike90250]

When you run the string sizing tool, you will know what breakers to get, You WILL want the midnight combiner box, and you can fit several breakers in it, I used 3 for panel strings and also the output of the charge controller (Batt)

I have both the Midnight Classic and the Morningstar MPPT 60. I prefer the Morningstar, it runs cooler (less loss) and is fanless (quiet)

Both have web interface for monitoring, but you will need a crossover cable (null modem) ethernet cable to connect - both your laptop and charge controller will be "receivers" . And then you have to configure each to work with a specific IP address, easy if you are a geek.
But obtaining a $30 wireless router would sure make it easier to manage, instead of being tied to a cable. I don't have mine connected to internet, just the router to assign IP addresses to both the controller and laptop.

Morningstar has a graphic "web page style" interface, Midnight needs a helper app [called the Local App and runs via adobe Air] and it can download a .CSV log file.

Morningstar does not ship with the optional meter front, avoid the cheap Classic SL, with no display/ web interface.

i have screen shots if you want

[James1079]

Thanks Mike. Screenshots would be helpful. I did check out your Facebook page. You are the reason that I was considering a Morning Star. I do have a router. And a buddy of mine tried to help me set up the IP addresses for my generic Chinese controller with no luck his final diagnosis was that the controller is junk not necessarily my router or computer. So that's why based on my last two weeks experience with you I have narrowed it mostly down to Morningstar or midnight solar. I see the morning star on your Facebook but you have also spoken about midnight solar and the sizing tool. Could you give me a brief pro and con of each in the $600 range? Thanks again Edit: my brief reading about the Midnite solar SL is that it has no ground fault protection and is not usable for wind or Hydro so I am steering away from that one based on my hope for expansion someday

[Mike90250]

Don't spend $ yet. Configure the controller to "obtain" it's address via DHCP, your Router will assign it an address :
ClassisDHCP_line4-.jpg
The morningstar is line 1, Combox line 3, classic is line 4

Morningstar log file (web view)
TSMPPT-60log.jpg

[James1079]

I'm not great at computer stuff so when my buddy gave up my options ended if you want Mike you could call me on Skype or Zoom or telephone or any other way appropriate you deem and I would greatly appreciate your help. 5175264318.

[Mike90250]

And the midnight side:
Classic Local App screen shot:
ClassicPeakPower_2112W.jpg





and a bit of the .CSV output

Date,kWh,Time,Float Time (h:m),High Power (kW),High Temp (C),Vin,Vbatt,,
11/17/2017,3.6,23:59,00:00,1.598,48.2,163.5,67.4,,
11/16/2017,2.9,23:59,00:00,2.111,48.2,162.9,67.4,,
11/15/2017,0.5,23:59,00:00,0.31,39.9,150,64.7,,
11/14/2017,3.9,23:59,00:00,2.003,48.2,172.9,67.4,,
11/13/2017,1.4,23:59,00:00,1.361,47.8,155.9,66,,
11/12/2017,3.1,23:59,00:00,1.789,48.2,161,67.4,,
11/11/2017,3.3,23:59,00:00,1.721,48.2,164.5,67.4,,
11/10/2017,2.9,23:59,00:00,2.186,48.2,166.5,67.5,,
11/9/2017,2,23:59,00:00,1.808,48.2,152.1,67.4,,

[James1079]

Do either applications have wattage graphs?

[littleharbor]

Midnite classic SL, solar only DOES have the MNGP graphics panel. Without the graphics panel I'd say pass. The midnite classic lite is the one without the graphics panel. Here's a comparison chart from Midnite.

http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/Cla...e-SL-Chart.pdf

[Mike90250]

Do either applications have wattage graphs?

Wattage is easily calculated from Volts * Amps It's much more important to know if I have 10 amps going into my battery through my 15 controller, than how many watts are there,

[Matrix]

Do either applications have wattage graphs?

If you go with a Classic (not sl) you can use the Classic Monitor app as well as the Midnite solar local app. Classic monitor works on smart phone and is packed with info including watt graphs. Also there is MyMidNite which is totally configurable, but that takes an internet connection.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....classic&hl=en

[littleharbor]

If you go with a Classic (not sl) you can use the Classic Monitor app as well as the Midnite solar local app. Classic monitor works on smart phone and is packed with info including watt graphs. Also there is MyMidNite which is totally configurable, but that takes an internet connection.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....classic&hl=en

What does it take, besides the Classic Monitor app to be able to use it?

[Mike90250]

What does it take, besides the Classic Monitor app to be able to use it?

either a computer with a versatile network card that can be Host or Client
or
a router (wired or wi-fi) that will be the interface between 2 clients (PC or Android w/Adobe Air) & Classic controller

[Matrix]

What does it take, besides the Classic Monitor app to be able to use it?

What does it take to use the Classic Monitor app .... OR ... to use a Desktop sharing app/program?

As Mike said, the classic app works thru a wifi router that is connected to the classic CC. Then any Smart device (android tablet or phone) with the Classic App that is connected to that LAN can see the data from the classic in the Classic Monitor App. But Note: if you have Classic monitor or the Midnite Solar Local Area network app open in one device, no other device on the LAN will be able to run either until you close the app open on the other device.

As to being able to run Desktop sharing, that is a function of the particular service you choose but requires a small program on the host pc and apps or programs on the control pc, tablet or phone. But by using a Desktop sharing service, you can control your Classic using the Midnite solar local area network app from the live pc on location using a PC, Tablet of phone in a remote location over the internet.

I use TeamVeiwer because it is free for personal use and so far has worked flawlessly. No ports to share or open and no need to pay for a DNS server. Set it up in about 10 minutes.

Here is the screen shot of the PC on the LAN that is running both the MidNite local area app and Schneider's Conext Combox app control ... BUT I am not at the local pc ... I am 3 miles away looking at it from another pc via the internet. I have full control from this remote pc of both apps. (and of that other pc completely for that matter)

Teamviewer.JPG

[Matrix]

Oops ... just re-read the thread. You were not asking about Desktop Sharing, I had posted that info in another thread and forum elsewhere. But if the shoe fits. . Desktop sharing is a great way to control your system that is bound by the limitations of a LAN without having to buy anything extra. All you have to have is an internet connected pc that the LAN apps are running on and you can control them anywhere any time remotely as long as the LAN pc is turned on.

[littleharbor]

Matrix, I really appreciate your help. Sure wish I were more computer savvy. I've had my classic local app connected to my computer via a wireless bridge, I guess you'd call it. Now my Classic is in Baja and was hoping to use the phone app to pick up the info. I'm thinking I still use the wireless bridge thing and look for the signal on my phone. I tried it once with no luck and feel so computer illiterate I an reluctant to ask.