MPPT Solar Controller

[clarity36]

Crew. I have 2 BP Solar 85 watt mono's to mount on Clarity's hard dodger, and propose to install a MPPT controller; why not go for the most charge out of these long-lived units? Looked at Morningstar Sunsaver and Blue Sky Solar Boost. Does anyone have experience with, or a preference for either of these, or alternate suggestions? Cheers. Bill

[CSY Man]

Only have experience with the Blue Sky MPPT.
Happy and impressed with the unit, it does work: Almost like adding a 3rd panel to the set-up. (Got 2 Siemens 75 watt over the bimini top)

[s/v Moondancer]

I have had a Blue Sky running 3 135 watt panels for 3 yrs and it has worked well.

[noelex 77]

Make sure whichever controller you buy it at least will charge at a boost and float voltage. Some of the Blue sky controllers only have one stage charging and they have cleverly written the handbook to imply that it has multiple stages.
The quality of the MPPT is important. The Blue sky controllers seem to use a very simple, and not very efficient, procedure of sampling the Voc and reducing this by a set amount to derive the Vmp. Morninstar are probably the same, but they do not provide any technical information so its impossible to say if their system is better or worse.

This controller looks to be the best option on paper.
Rogue Power Technologies

If you are thinking of a larger array in the future the Outback range are the best controllers, but the cost is not justified in your system

[colemj]

I am also looking to buy a MPPT controller. I have two friends with Blue Sky. Both have experienced failures (they actually caught fire!). Both have described their dealings with Blue Sky as unfavorable.

Mark

[CSY Man]

Both have experienced failures (they actually caught fire!).

Sure would like more details on that..

Got any surveyor's report, statement from BlueSky or or copy of insurance settlement?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by CSY Man

Sure would like more details on that..

Got any surveyor's report, statement from BlueSky or or copy of insurance settlement?

Well, no. It wasn't my controller or problem. Both of them were cruising in the Carib and a burned up solar controller hardly fits into anyone's threshold of getting a surveyor, let alone filing an insurance claim. As for BlueSky communication, I only related the general impressions of the two people who interacted with them - I did not bother to collect a statement from BlueSky on a problem that wasn't mine.

If it helps, I witnessed one controller burn up and saw the other after it burned. Both of them went bad in the afternoon during a full sun day.

Being a third party direct witness to failing gear isn't exactly spreading rumors.

I think I missed your point.

Mark

[somf]

I have had my Blue Sky 2000 for a little over a year now with out any issues. It is controlling 3 135w panels and boosts an average of 10 to 15% regularly. They do generate a great amount of heat on the back side so take care to keep everything clear so they have ventilation. If you think there is any chance you will get more panels definitely go for a bigger controller.

[cheoah]

Bill, I've heard good tings about the Genasun controller. As I understand it, they are much more efficient with smaller arrays.



Chase

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by clarity36

Crew. I have 2 BP Solar 85 watt mono's to mount on Clarity's hard dodger, and propose to install a MPPT controller; why not go for the most charge out of these long-lived units? Looked at Morningstar Sunsaver and Blue Sky Solar Boost. Does anyone have experience with, or a preference for either of these, or alternate suggestions? Cheers. Bill

I have the sunsaver duo, about 12 months now, and am very impressed so far. It charges both banks independantly, probably the best couple of hundred bucks I have spent on the boat so far.

[CSY Man]

Both of them were cruising in the Carib and a burned up solar controller hardly fits into anyone's threshold of getting a surveyor, let alone filing an insurance claim.

Oh well, I thought the controllers caught fire and burned the boats down.
If so, probably a good reason to get a surveyor's report toward an insurance claim or a claim againts the factory.