Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

MPPT charge controller options 4xAGM in Series

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • MPPT charge controller options 4xAGM in Series

    Hi,

    Looking for MPPT charge controller options.

    PV Array
    VMP (Maximum Power Point Voltage 110.1 Volts.
    Battery Charging Current @ 57.6V 50 Amps.

    Battery Bank
    4x AGM Batteries in Series.

    This system doesn't use or require inverter, the Load is 48v DC direct from the Battery Bank.
    So I do not want anything more then an efficient Battery Charger.

    Some of the MPPT charge controllers are expensive with features that do not apply to this DC only design.

    I have been advised to check out the PCM60X Charge Controller, are there any problems with using one of these?

    If you can help with suggestions for Suitable MPPT charge controller, please reply here or by message.

    Thanks,
    Ray

  • #2
    Littleray I cannot tell you anything about the controller you are looking at. Never heard of it and I would not touch it after looking at the User Manual. Not a single electrical spec which is a huge Red Flag for counterfeit Chi-Com Junk made in Taiwan.

    What I can tell you is you need a Controller with a minimum 200 Voc and the controller you are looking at is 140 Voc a very odd number which raises Red Flag 2. Do not use Vmp voltage to select controller. Use your total panel Voc voltage and multiply that by 1.25.

    Just using an educated guess your panel Voc should be around 134 volts which means you need a Controller with a minimum 170 volts. No such thing exist but you can get 200 or 600 volt controller will work just fine.

    I would use a Morningstar TS-MPPT-60-600-48 a match made in heaven for you. When you choose to go off grid, money is no object. You already volunteered to pay 5 to 10 times more for power the rest of your life.
    Last edited by Sunking; 01-10-2017, 12:01 PM.
    MSEE, PE

    Comment


    • #3
      If your weather is not cold in the mornings, and the Voc will never get over 140VDC. I'd recommend the Morningstar Tristar MPPT.60 (150Vdc max)
      I might also suggest re-configure the wire on the array, to drop the voltage down to maybe 80Vdc
      The larger the difference in Vmp vs battery voltage, will result in more heat in the controller.
      Also, beware your 48V loads, when the battery is being charged, or EQ'd, you can see 60-64Vdc on the battery terminals, can your load handle that ?

      If you are stuck with 110V, then a midnight Classic 200 (if you can stand the screaming fans) or the the more expensive 600V morningstar Sunking linked to
      Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
      || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
      || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

      solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
      gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

      Comment


      • #4
        VOC (Open Circuit Voltage) 136.5 Volts

        Why do you size the Controller on Open Circuit Voltage.
        And what is the 1.25 multiplier for?

        Cheers

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Mike90250 View Post
          If your weather is not cold in the mornings, and the Voc will never get over 140VDC. I'd recommend the Morningstar Tristar MPPT.60 (150Vdc max)
          I might also suggest re-configure the wire on the array, to drop the voltage down to maybe 80Vdc
          The larger the difference in Vmp vs battery voltage, will result in more heat in the controller.
          Also, beware your 48V loads, when the battery is being charged, or EQ'd, you can see 60-64Vdc on the battery terminals, can your load handle that ?

          If you are stuck with 110V, then a midnight Classic 200 (if you can stand the screaming fans) or the the more expensive 600V morningstar Sunking linked to
          The Array is a Fixed part of design, waiting on a solid confirmation for load tolerance, but it would seem to be ok.

          It is just a matter of finding an affordable controller, some compromise might be be needed.
          Not a matter of scabbing on design, just reality dictates I compromise or put it off.
          A noisy fan doesn't sound good, sounds more like a power supply for PC

          I found this MidNite Solar Classic 200 SL MPPT Solar Charge Controller for $620 delivered,
          Do you know why this model is less expensive? What does "SL" signify?
          https://www.amazon.com/MidNite-Solar...Controller+200

          Thanks
          Last edited by Little Ray; 01-10-2017, 03:23 PM.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Little Ray View Post
            VOC (Open Circuit Voltage) 136.5 Volts

            Why do you size the Controller on Open Circuit Voltage.
            And what is the 1.25 multiplier for?

            Cheers
            So you do not burn ur your controller when the sun rises on cold mornings. You panels Voc is rated at 75 degrees f (25 C). As temps drop, Voc goes up and you have to account for it. There are two ways to account for it. The easy way assuming you do not get real cold in Winter is just multiply the panel Voc by 1.25. Otherwise you look at the pane specs and it tell you how much voltage to add for each 1 degree below 75 degrees.

            Each morning. clouds or not as soon as it gets light the panels come to life and will generate Voc voltage, and that has to be lower than the controller Voc rating. As mike said optimally for a real controller like Morningstar ideal panel voltage for a 48 volt battery is to run panel voltages around 70 to 90 volts Vmp with a 150 Voc Controller. It takes at least 64 volts to charge a 48 volt battery.

            MSEE, PE

            Comment


            • #7
              SL = Streamlined Graphics and no Arc Fault which is a good thing. Another match in heaven. They can be bought for $511 They are rated for 200 Voc plus battery voltage which in your case is 250 volts. Midnite solar calls it HyperVoc.
              Last edited by Sunking; 01-10-2017, 03:57 PM.
              MSEE, PE

              Comment


              • #8
                If only the midnight fans sounded like PC supply fans.

                The Array is a Fixed part of design, waiting on a solid confirmation for load tolerance, but it would seem to be ok.
                Then your designer sucks and better refund your $. UNLESS you have a thousand foot run for the PV array wires and need the high voltage to reduce loss.

                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment


                • #9
                  Temperature coefficient of Voc - .30%/ 0 c ,means what?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Brian53713 View Post
                    Temperature coefficient of Voc - .30%/ 0 c ,means what?
                    It means that for each Centigrade (Celsius) degree below the rating temperature of 25C you must increase the Vmp and Voc values by .3%
                    So if the ambient temperature is freezing (0C) the voltages will be 7.5% higher than the nameplate voltages.
                    The minus sign means that as the temp increases the voltage goes down.
                    So as the temp decreases, the voltage goes up.

                    Just FYI, the reason you use Voc is that there will be times when the CC is not drawing any significant current, and at those times the input circuitry will see Voc.
                    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Midnite Solar SL model is for solar only No wind or hydro. Simplified setup, simplified firmare. Because of this the price is lower. $620 sounds pretty high. I bought a Classic 200 5 years ago and only paid $640 then.
                      2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Victron Blue Solar , designed in Netherlands.Mppts Built in India. 5 year warranty. Tons of high tec stuff. Check out website. Good prices.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Here's a description of the classic SL. They are in the sub $500.00 range and free shipping on fleabay

                          The Classic SL-150 MPPT Charge Controller is a simplified SOLAR ONLY version of the Classic 150 with streamlined menus. The Classic SL-150 has a graphics panel and ground fault but no arc fault or Ethernet capabilities. The Classic SL-150 has a maximum output current of 96 amps, an operating voltage of 150 volts and works with 12 to 72 volt battery systems. As with the whole Classic Line, the Classic 150-SL has MidNite
                          2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Brian53713 View Post
                            Victron Blue Solar , designed in Netherlands.Mppts Built in India. 5 year warranty. Tons of high tec stuff. Check out website. Good prices.
                            PCM60X Approx $450 Delivered

                            EPSOLAR:
                            IT6415ND Approx $550 Delivered
                            ET6415AD Approx $610 Delivered

                            Victron BlueSolar 12-48V 150/60 - is a candidate at approx $770 AUD Delivered.

                            MidNite Classic 150 SL - approx $750 AUD Delivered.
                            Outback Power FLEXMax 60 - Approx $800 Delivered

                            Anybody want to share their experience?

                            Thanks
                            Last edited by Little Ray; 01-11-2017, 10:45 AM.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Have not got a reply to Email sent to MPP Solar regarding PCM60X MPPT Charge Controller.

                              Anybody been using the PCM60X, have you had any problems with the product or getting replies to emails.

                              Ray

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X