Outback Flexmax Micro FM40 MPPT solar controller views

[Rapanui]

I am looking at a MPPT solar controllers and have found the Outback Flexmax Micro FM40 and FM30 controllers which on the face of it seem very well priced with the Outback name, about 350 Euros for controller, remote display and PC interface.
They only seem to be available on mainland Europe from a few vendors and are not listed on the Outback US web site. I have been told that they are manufactured in the same facility and hardware design to the EP Solar Tracer 4215BN but using Outback firmware/software. The pictures on the site certainly support this. They also claim they are manufactured in an ISO certified facility.
Has anybody any further information on this unit to share? I would like to get some idea of reliability and performance.

Outback Power Flexmax 40 Mppt Charge Controller - Prism Solar (Helping you help yourself to the sun )

[offpist]

Looks a lot like the Chinese Tracer:
Tracer1215BN/ Tracer2215BN/ Tracer3215BN/ Tracer4215BN-Products-solar charge controller—Beijing Epsolar Technology Co., Ltd

[Rapanui]

I have had confirmation from 2 sources that it is the same hardware as the Tracer with Outback software. One states that it has a 2 year Outback warranty. One dealer has stock but sold none so far since available from October 2015

[Rapanui]

I have now purchased and fitted the Outback FM40 along with the remote temp sensor and display, controlling 480W of solar. Have observed it in action for a week now and it does seem to work very well. Typically max power point of the panels is around 19V with a corresponding current increase of about 30%.
The unit is seems very well made and is easy to set up and monitor. I also have fitted a Smartgauge battery monitor so will be able to monitor performance over the summer.

[Rapanui]

We have now had the Outback FM40 in 24 x 7 use all year round for nearly 3 years. It has been flawless in operation and from 480W of solar it achieves 100% SOC for our 300 Ahr bank as measured by Smartgauge nearly every day. We have chosen not to upgrade our 2 off 'dumb as bovine poop' 80A engine alternators as feel that spending far less than that considerable cost on solar is better value for money, so we get very little engine charging particularly in hot weather when the alternator output is reduced.

Loading is a 160 litre fridge, normal navigation instruments and auto pilot, LED lights and on occasions, lots of phones, tablets etc. Overnight the SOC drops to between 75-90% depending mainly on temperature, fridge and toy use.

We occasionally use the inverter to heat water via our 1600VA inverter, usually in bursts of 5-10mins to give warm shower in the morning.