Boobook2 posted:

Oops wrong button.

...would include Morningstar's MPPT, Bluesky,Xantrex etc


You can read more here

What the heck is MPPT?

Wiki

More info

The only thing is buy it from the US. They are about double the price here.

Member - Kiwi Kia posted:

Hi Boobook2, I have had a look at "What the heck is MPPT" and found a fair bit of it technobabble.

" The Outback MX60 has a very nice computer (RS485) computer interface."

" In an extreme case, such as a fully discharged battery at 10.5 volts, you would get nearly 7 amps at 10.5 volts out of the MPPT into the battery."

Any one else care to comment ?

KK

Boobook2 posted:

KK the figure quoted uin that document is for a 80 watt panel. That is probably for a very discharged battery. never tried that. But I have personally seen about 7 A charge from a 85w panel.

Member - Kiwi Kia posted:

It's not the current that worries me in that example but the voltage - trying to charge a 12 volt battery with 10.5 volts !!

KK

Boobook2 posted:

KK, trying to charge a 12 volt battery with 10.5 volts would be a worry.

The example is talking about a heavily discharged battery that is being charged, the battery at that point is so low that 10.5 v would be the charge voltage. It is a bit extreme for properly managed discharge environments but not extreme for people who don't manage their batteries properly.

Member - Mike DID posted:

An MPPT Regulator allows you to get more power out of your Panels compared with a standard regulator. You can get UP TO 25% more, under SOME conditions.

Member - John M (NSW) posted:

Thanks for this info, I have checked out the specs on the Morningstar unit and they appear to be good units if they do everything they say they will.
It appears that a MPPT regulator does in fact obtain more power than normal regulators which when continually consuming power is a good thing.

Thanks for the advice.

Boobook2 posted:

John,

You will see that they are about $470 to $500 in Australia. In the US they are about $240 USD ( about A$270) plus postage.

I have purchased from these people as an example of what you can get with prompt service.

Example US supplier

Shop around, you can get a MPPT cheaper in the US than a cheapie here.

Member - John M (NSW) posted:

Thanks Boobook2

I sent a few emails to US distributors yesterday and awaiting for a response. I also sent a RFQ to a distributor in Bangkok as I am going to Phuket (mow the grass at our house) and Bangkok (take SWMBO shopping) at the end of the month.

Maybe I can get a good price there and save the freight costs.

Regards

John

Dennis Ellery posted:

Whats the point? - another noisy 800watt genset.
You can buy a cheap chinese and power your battery charger if you want to go down that path.

Member - John M (NSW) posted:

Malcom
I agree with the invertor size, due to a opportunity in my work I was able to obtain it very cheaply (for free).

All the equipment noted in my thread would naturally not be running all the time and if I had my way the TV & DVD wouldn't even be fitted but SWMBO had to put in her 2 bobs worth of input into the design and requirements. Hence also the possibility of a washing machine which I think for extended trips could be value added.
In January we lost a full day in St Helens, Tasmania in getiing our laundry done. That day alone would have paid for the washing machine.

I have the Honda 2kva generator which will run everything I need including a 150 amp Invertor welder which will be carried and hopefully never used.
I thought the invertor would be good for running power tools when needed but this can also be covered by the generator so I will rethink the invertor size.

Thanks for your constructive comments.
John

Member - John M (NSW) posted:

Hi Mainey

I agree with your comments about technology and how things become obsolete very quickly.
Not knowing a great deal about solar power generation and the efficient way of capturing the maximum energy as this is most probably a science in itself, I decided to ask the forum on the best or most suitable equipment that everyone is using or has experience with as there is a very diverse and wide range of experts on exploreoz.
I believe that once establishing what the most suitable range of equipment is for the purpose then the shopping starts.
I am spending over $30K on the materials and equipment on this camper trailer and considering the costs of solar panels,AGM batteries,chargers and generators then the equipment that is responsible for managing the efficiency and longevity of the electrical system is extremely important.

In seeing various 30 + amp regulator prices ranging from $150 to $500 this is not a lot in the overall scheme of things.Hence the reason in the way the question in this thread was structured
I see from your profile that you are involved in the solar industry and would be interested in your recommendations.

Kind regards

John