Affordable MPPT Charge Controller

[GTom]

Thanks for the feedback! I might still start the "cheap end", just like you . I only need a reliable working unit, can live without Bluetooth. Since I am planning 2 controllers, I might take a Tracer and a Victron and test them head to head.

Warranty in my case is not that crucial if the piece is literally 1/2 price of the competition.

[Mr B]

For a start, Electricity is some thing I dont know any thing about,

My boat had 280 Watts of solar panels on it, with a wind generator and engine alternator, 80 Amps,
1800 Watt xantrax Invertor, 110 volts, Useless in Australia,

I put the panels on my RV with just a 20 amp Chinese controller
560 Amph house batterys,
Its been working fine for 4 years,

All my electrics shown got drowned when I sunk it,

With my boats new installation this is what I have bought for it,
4 x 300 Watt x 12 volt Krycera Panels, $235-00 each, 1580 X 808 mm, I wanted the narrow panels as they fit on the boat better, Plus the two on the Davits out the back that can be angled for the sun and dont get shaded,
18.9 Volts max, VMP, Class A,

My new controller is 40 amp, MMPT, Was about $60-00, Chinese,
The tracer from what I have read, I wont bother putting in unless the Sparky recommends putting it in,
The link Pro was about $300-00
The Rutland meter is for the Wind Genny,
The new invertor, 5000 Watt, 10,000 Watt surge, Full Sine, Came from the same Chinese manufacturer as my Xantrax invertor, $500-00 Delivered,

I will be buying two new house batterys, 280 Amphr, AGM's, Approx $500-00 Each,
And a start battery,

Please feel free to comment, Thats how I learn,

Cheers, Brian,

[GTom]

Brian, the 40A controller will be quite small for 1200W (=100A peak) worth of panels. If you get 2 of them, that's of course a different story.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by GTom

Brian, the 40A controller will be quite small for 1200W (=100A peak) worth of panels. If you get 2 of them, that's of course a different story.

Thanks for that info, As the panels are so far apart, One set on the roof and one set on the davits, Unshaded,

I had thought of two Controllers, One for each pair, As the panels on the roof do get shaded from the boom,

Thanks, Brian,

[travellerw]

Originally Posted by GTom

Thanks for the feedback! I might still start the "cheap end", just like you . I only need a reliable working unit, can live without Bluetooth. Since I am planning 2 controllers, I might take a Tracer and a Victron and test them head to head.

Warranty in my case is not that crucial if the piece is literally 1/2 price of the competition.

I think that is a fantastic idea.. Buy one of each and see if you come to the same conclusion.

Now as to the other features.. OMG I wished I had a display (bluetooth or other) for each solar bank when we started cruising 2 years ago. Although we had a Victron BMS device, that only showed the total input. Once I got a monitor on each bank it was like *angels singing*. I could see what each bank was doing and make adjustments to the boat to maximize my out. The simpliest was where to put my boom to minimize the shading (even from the lazy jack lines).

I recommend you get a display with each... (of course it may not be a big deal if you are just living aboard on weekends).

[GTom]

Unfortunately we don't live full time on the boat, I'll be completely satisfied if the system "works as advertised" and the right amount of current finds its way to the batteries. For troubleshooting/initial tuning I think I'll be fine with a USB-cable & Laptop.