400: Temperature Sensors for MPPT Controllers

[b_rodwell]

I have a Lagoon 400 S2 with almost 2 KW of solar panels and 2 x Outback Flexmax 80 controllers. I run 2 fridges, a freezer and an autopilot. Next summer I will be running a watermaker. I am trying to determine whether I should add 2 temperature sensors to these 2 controllers. I have 720Ah of gel house batteries.

I use my solar panels in mild to warm conditions. If it was cold I would be in a marina on shore power and not need to use the solar power.

I am told that a temperature sensor can add to the efficiency of a controller and, importantly, add to the safety by reducing the charge settings when the battery is too hot.

Should I spend the money?

Brian

[Paul L]

The temp sensor is for your batteries not the solar panels. Check the charging profile for your specific battery, here' s an example showing the changes desired based on battery temperatyre.

[noelex 77]

The temp sensors should not be expensive and gel batteries are sensitive to charging voltages so the answer is yes.

In the meantime you can adjust the charge voltages manually on the Flexmax controllers very easily. It would be a pain to do in Sydney with the erratic temperature but quite practical in Greece and Turkey where the stable temperatures mean the setting would only need changing a few times a year.