Solar panel MPTT

 
 
 
 
 
 
ROBANDSUE
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Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #1
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #2
Quote by ROBANDSUE

bit of advice from the more teccy minded if you could.
Is this a decent MPTT?
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/MPPT-S…Sw6S9cNwn3



At that price point it should be a good one, it's definitely not one of the cheap units you see advertised.
I have ONE OF THESE which is a similar price and it certainly works well and is a genuine MPPT unit.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #3
thats the one i was looking for originally Colin. The one in the link says at 12v it gives 520 watt as opposed to the 300watt in yours. Thats making me wonder why its around the same price.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #4
Looks good.
From looking at the photos, to connect the various cables to the controller, there seems to be additional plugs needed. The connection points seen to be a "jack" type plug.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #5
Thanks Mal, is that a problem or an inconvenience?
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #6
Rob, I’m fairly sure you just clip off the lower cover and you will have screwed connections for your cables. Can’t see them being a plug in job.
What size solar are you fitting. It looks good but maybe a bit of overkill for what you need. Also looks physically large to me
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #7
Overkill sure, but I would even be a bit sceptical about what it claims ~ up to 2 kW! The PCM 3012 that Baguette linked has received positive reviews on this forum and I’ve seen some really good reviews on YouTube that take the unit apart and commend it’s build quality, i.e. actual toroidal coils only found in true MPPT controllers, good solder joints, heavy guage internal wiring etc. which you don’t always find in Chinese units.



Unless I saw similar reviews of that unit, I’d be dubious.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #8
I wouldnt have spotted that David. Think i will go with the tried and tested version that Colin has. Ally told me he has that model and it suits perfectly. I spoke to ally and his set up seems to be more than adequate, think its 200 watt panels he has.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #9
Quote by The Rambler

Unless I saw similar reviews of that unit, I’d be dubious.
I agree. One of the reasons I went for an Epever controller was the online reviews.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #10
hmm, the problem now is all those units are sold, as ally said this morning.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #11
I have 2 X 115 ah batteries and 2 X 100 watt panels, the unit will handle 300watt of solar, so I have the option of adding a third panel.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #12
Quote by ROBANDSUE

hmm, the problem now is all those units are sold, as ally said this morning.


Same as when I went to purchase a few months ago. I got a different one, no Bluetooth or anything, but it is working well. I will have to look up the make. A little over half the size of your one. German I think
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #13
I got a Victron Bluesolar controller for our Van works brilliantly and has the option of adding a Bluetooth dongle to it so that you can monitor charging, battery level and charge history through a nice app.

This type
the fat controller
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #14
Quote by Daffysparks

Quote by ROBANDSUE

hmm, the problem now is all those units are sold, as ally said this morning.


Same as when I went to purchase a few months ago. I got a different one, no Bluetooth or anything, but it is working well. I will have to look up the make. A little over half the size of your one. German I think


one of these Votronic ones perhaps https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0…18633&th=1

They get good reviews
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #15
Quote by ROBANDSUE

hmm, the problem now is all those units are sold, as ally said this morning.


From the U.S. CLICK and use AddressPal

Or get one shipped directly from Taiwan Click here
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 26.02.2019  ·  #16
Eco- worthy is the one I got. 20amp at 12 volts, which was enough for me. It does the job and has a decent menu to allow you set it up to suit your individual needs. £70 odd sterling I think at the time
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #17
Quote by baguette

I have 2 X 115 ah batteries and 2 X 100 watt panels, the unit will handle 300watt of solar, so I have the option of adding a third panel.


thats what im thinking Colin, a extra capacity if needed.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #18
Quote by Daffysparks

Eco- worthy is the one I got. 20amp at 12 volts, which was enough for me. It does the job and has a decent menu to allow you set it up to suit your individual needs. £70 odd sterling I think at the time


https://www.amazon.co.uk/ECO-W…orthy&th=1

Somethink like this David.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #19
Wan thinking of a 200 watt panel if there is one, or 2 by 100 watt.
Rob....Anything in that price range should be decent. How many solar panels are you intending to use and their wattage?
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #20
David, I see that you have a Hymer motorhome. Is it not fitted with a Schaudt Electrobloc charger unit? If it is, you can fit the Schaudt 'add-on' Solar Charge Regulator, LR 1218 which connects to the Electrobloc which in turn keeps the Leisure and Vehicle batteries charged.
The price for this unit is, I think, around €70 and it comes complete with all the cables for connecting to the Electrobloc (plug in).
This will also give you the added bonus of being able to see your solar panel's performance on your display panel.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #21
Quote by The Rambler

Overkill sure, but I would even be a bit sceptical about what it claims ~ up to 2 kW! The PCM 3012 that Baguette linked has received positive reviews on this forum and I’ve seen some really good reviews on YouTube that take the unit apart and commend it’s build quality, i.e. actual toroidal coils only found in true MPPT controllers, good solder joints, heavy guage internal wiring etc. which you don’t always find in Chinese units.



Unless I saw similar reviews of that unit, I’d be dubious.


Thats the controller I have, Installed it 3 years ago with 2x 100 watt solar panels and has worked perfectly. I wired the solar panels in series which is supposed to work better at charging in low light/winter time charging.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #22
Quote by StephenC

I got a Victron Bluesolar controller for our Van works brilliantly and has the option of adding a Bluetooth dongle to it so that you can monitor charging, battery level and charge history through a nice app.

This type


What wattage does that cover Stephen.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #23
I seen them listed in Taiwan alright, wasnt sure if they were the real thing or a generic model.
Quote by baguette

Quote by ROBANDSUE

hmm, the problem now is all those units are sold, as ally said this morning.


From the U.S. CLICK and use AddressPal

Or get one shipped directly from Taiwan Click here
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #24
Quote by Stoney

David, I see that you have a Hymer motorhome. Is it not fitted with a Schaudt Electrobloc charger unit? If it is, you can fit the Schaudt 'add-on' Solar Charge Regulator, LR 1218 which connects to the Electrobloc which in turn keeps the Leisure and Vehicle batteries charged.
The price for this unit is, I think, around €70 and it comes complete with all the cables for connecting to the Electrobloc (plug in).
This will also give you the added bonus of being able to see your solar panel's performance on your display panel.

Just checked that Donal, it is the Schaudt charger unit according to the manual, with a plug in for a solar panel. If this is connected, are you saying you can see the details on the display panel showing battery power, water tanks etc?
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #25
Sorry Robert, I apologise for calling you David, don't know where that came from!

Yes, all the charging information will be displayed on the control panel.

If you are really determined to fit a MPP controller you could also consider the Schaudt LRM 1218 which also will connect through the Schaudt Electrobloc or, if you prefer will connect directly to the batteries. However this unit is a lot more expensive at approximately €200.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #26
Quote by panda

Wan thinking of a 200 watt panel if there is one, or 2 by 100 watt.
Rob....Anything in that price range should be decent. How many solar panels are you intending to use and their wattage?


Multiple smaller panels are a better bet than one big one, here's why. [url=

]effect of shadow on solar panels[/url]

On a single big panel the whole panel can get 'wiped out', but if there are multiple panels those not in shadow will continue unaffected.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #27
I have the Victron 75/15 for a 100W panel but it is rated for a panel of up to 220W on a 12V system, this was to give me the capacity to add another panel in the future if I wanted to.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #28
Quote by baguette

Quote by panda

Wan thinking of a 200 watt panel if there is one, or 2 by 100 watt.
Rob....Anything in that price range should be decent. How many solar panels are you intending to use and their wattage?


Multiple smaller panels are a better bet than one big one, here's why. [url=

]effect of shadow on solar panels[/url]

On a single big panel the whole panel can get 'wiped out', but if there are multiple panels those not in shadow will continue unaffected.


short video, buy very informative
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #29
Quote by ROBANDSUE

Quote by Daffysparks

Eco- worthy is the one I got. 20amp at 12 volts, which was enough for me. It does the job and has a decent menu to allow you set it up to suit your individual needs. £70 odd sterling I think at the time


https://www.amazon.co.uk/ECO-W…orthy&th=1

Somethink like this David.


That’s the one Robert
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 27.02.2019  ·  #30
Quote by baguette

Quote by panda

Wan thinking of a 200 watt panel if there is one, or 2 by 100 watt.
Rob....Anything in that price range should be decent. How many solar panels are you intending to use and their wattage?


Multiple smaller panels are a better bet than one big one, here's why. [url=

]effect of shadow on solar panels[/url]

On a single big panel the whole panel can get 'wiped out', but if there are multiple panels those not in shadow will continue unaffected.


Exactly the point I have made before. You run 2 or more panels in series and if one gets partially shaded, the entire array is brought down to a trickle current.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #31
Something i just thought of, do i need roof bars to fit panels??
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #32
Not necessarily, although they are an option. Many people glue down with Sikaflex. That stuff really does grip. You would need brackets for that such as the plastic corner feet that can be ordered with the PV.
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Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #33
Quote by ROBANDSUE

Something i just thought of, do i need roof bars to fit panels??


unless you really want to but you'll have to serve Carlsberg :D


Seriously, no you don't they will come with either adhesive clips or brackets which will mean screwing to the roof
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #34
:happy:
Quote by sprinter

Quote by ROBANDSUE

Something i just thought of, do i need roof bars to fit panels??


unless you really want to but you'll have to serve Carlsberg :D


Seriously, no you don't they will come with either adhesive clips or brackets which will mean screwing to the roof
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #35
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 28.02.2019  ·  #36
Quote by ROBANDSUE

Thanks lads, thats good news.
This is the unit i have decided to go with. It plugs into the control box on the hymer.
https://www.solara.eu/shop/cha…ontroller/


That unit is not listed as being MPPT only PWM (pulse width modulated) so it won't make the best of the panel(s) rated output, see earlier posts.
The charging regime is only two stage IU it's missing the Uo-phase which is the constant-voltage boost stage, absorption stage, or topping charge. Most good chargers are three stage IUoU.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 01.03.2019  ·  #37
Thanks Colin, I will see if they have an mppt version
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 01.03.2019  ·  #38
Quote by sprinter

Quote by ROBANDSUE

Something i just thought of, do i need roof bars to fit panels??

unless you really want to but you'll have to serve Carlsberg :D


:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 01.03.2019  ·  #39
theres an MPTT version alright that will do uo to 250 watts. The cost is 177 euro inc tax and delivery. Its Voltronic. Seems a bit expensive.
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Re: Solar panel MPTT

 ·  Posted: 01.03.2019  ·  #40
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