Best solar controller

[artfuldodger]

We changed to lithiums a week ago but am less than happy with the rate of charge allowed by my Epever 40 amp controller. It moves to float charge after 2 hrs of boost charge even though the batts are still down 100 plus amp hrs. The boost (14.4v) won't occur again until the bat voltage goes down to 13.2v which is usually the next morning. Meanwhile the sun is beaming and there is only float charge allowed by the controller. I have 300 amp hrs of batt and 720 watts of panel power. I want a controller that will allow me to manually alter the parameters and which also will protect the batts from overcharge, over discharge, etc.

[PNW Fireguy]

Victron, Victron, Victron

[Daryles]

I have two 200W of panels (2s) and a Victron 100-30 (100vdc - 30A) MPPT. I went with that because the rig came pre wired for solar with 10 gauge wire. 30A max.
I used the preset lithium settings on the MPPT. I have never seen more than 240W charging even with the batteries at 30%.
This last time out dry camping I played with the settings and manually set it to 14.8vdc absorption, 14.6vdc float. I got 304W and got a faster charge. If I was getting another MPPT I would go with a Victron 100-50. I'm planning on adding more panels and I'm maxed out with this MPPT.

[PNW Fireguy]

Daryles,
Not to hijack the OP's thread but curious what voltage your PV array is wired for to push the 30A. I have 10 AWG OEM provided wiring for my PV array and I push 10A at 150vdc x2. A friend with a similar 12v system pushes all of the 100A output on a 250/100 SmartSolar Victron.

[artfuldodger]

Are the Victron 60amp charger's settings easily alterable by the user? I would love to extend the max charge time by the push of a button.

[PNW Fireguy]

The charge settings should be set based upon the battery specs for the batteries you have. You can use the free Victron Connect app on your phone and connect to the SmartSolar MPPT via blue tooth. For example on our truck we use Lion Energy Safari UT-1300 batteries. The bulk, absorption and float settings can all be changed via the app to meet Lion Energy's specifications. The rotary settings on the MPPT controllers are default settings. They work but they may not be the optimum settings for all LiFePO4 battery manufacturers.

[gjennings]

Victron hands down.

[RipNC]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

Are the Victron 60amp charger's settings easily alterable by the user? I would love to extend the max charge time by the push of a button.

With Victron if you have sun and your Lithium battery needs power it will output. I put 2 on my boat and one on our rig and I've never seen an indication of a timer in the software (such as I've seen on external regulators cor alternators). Most LiFePO4 manufacturers say you don't need a float charge but will give you a recommended float voltage if you are unable to disable float. Also, disable equalization (you can do that in theVictron settings). Remember too that your battery's BMS will, to a degree, accept/reject a charge - usually based on low/high temps.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by PNW Fireguy

Daryles,
Not to hijack the OP's thread but curious what voltage your PV array is wired for to push the 30A. I have 10 AWG OEM provided wiring for my PV array and I push 10A at 150vdc x2. A friend with a similar 12v system pushes all of the 100A output on a 250/100 SmartSolar Victron.

I have two 200w Rich Solar panels in series. I used to have them in parallel but I find they perform better in series. The higher voltage starts the MPPT producing earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
They are 20v, 9.8A each so in series that's 40vdc,
9.8A output (in a perfect world, In the picture you can see its 36vdc at 8A)
The MPPT converts that down to 14.9vdc at 20A.
The Victron 100-30 is rated for 400W. I've never seen 400W. I could probably add another panel in series (I can go up to 100vdc). I would like to add another string entirely parallel but I would need another MPPT and need to run 4 or 2 gauge wiring from the MPPT to the battery.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

Are the Victron 60amp charger's settings easily alterable by the user? I would love to extend the max charge time by the push of a button.

Yes. When I was dry camping, i felt it was taking too long to get the batteries charged. The Victron 100-30 MPPT was set to the preset lithium settings. I changed it to "User Defined" and raised the absorption voltage to 14.8 and float to 14.6.
I looked up those definitions to get a better understanding of what happens when these thresholds are reached. That's why I raised the voltages. After doing that it stayed in "Bulk" mode much longer to get the batteries charged. I was not too worried about over doing it. You absolutely MUST know what the specs are for your batteries. Mine can charge at 65A (each, 4 in parallel).

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

Are the Victron 60amp charger's settings easily alterable by the user? I would love to extend the max charge time by the push of a button.

I forgot this picture.
We are currently at a FHU Campground so I have changed the voltages to 14 and 13.5 just to keep the batteries topped off.
I kept the original PD4575K18LS8 converter. It is not Lithium ready so it gets the batteries to about 80%. The solar tops them off.

[Foldbak]

I'm just starting to understand solar. It's the factory 400 with Victron. The unit has only been out 3 times. Looking at the history I noticed very little generation while parked at home. There's a tree near the trailer. When parked at the beach last weekend I generated over 2K on one day. I ran the gen less the 2 hours in 3 days. I dont know enough about changing setting but I'd like to learn how to maximize the system. What should I be looking at?

[rames14]

First and foremost, make sure you are in full sunlight. Shadows from trees, flags, satellite dish, etc. will reduce solar output. Second, Solar works best with lithium batteries. And last, watch parasitic loads - phone chargers, smart devices connected to your TV that are always on, etc. I know from checking my Victron battery monitor once we’re in bed with lights out, we use 10 amps/hr. Everything else is additive - including fridge, water heater, TV. Enjoy.

[firestation12]

I have a Renogy 60 bluetooth controller that has the ability to create a user defined profile either through the smart phone app or manually on the controller itself. Like some others, I left the non lithium voltage converter in place and let the solar top off the two 280ah batteries in parallel (560ah). 2 panels in series rated for 320 watts each, are providing 74 volts at peak. I started out using a user defined charging profile, but have since switched to the Renogy's lithium algorithm. Cost of the Renogy 60 controller was $320. A Victron bluetooth shunt provides a second set of useful information.

[PNW Fireguy]

40v is pretty low and if I read your post right, you are measuring 36v at the MPPT input…so you are losing 10% of the PV array voltage. 3S would get you up to 60v.

[PNW Fireguy]

Definitely a fan of Victron but I sure do miss my Midnite Solar Classic.

[artfuldodger]

The Victron seems to be the most popular but the Renogy sounds good too and is considerably less expensive. I particularly like the option of manual and Bluetooth control and monitoring. Each will protect itself and the system from overcharging, over discharging, etc

[djrich]

I have 2 30 amp Jaboni and 2 BlueSky 30 amp controllers. 2000 watts of solar ( a mix of brands but all the same voltage) and 6 BattleBorn batteries. All work well together.

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by artfuldodger

We changed to lithiums a week ago but am less than happy with the rate of charge allowed by my Epever 40 amp controller. It moves to float charge after 2 hrs of boost charge even though the batts are still down 100 plus amp hrs. The boost (14.4v) won't occur again until the bat voltage goes down to 13.2v which is usually the next morning. Meanwhile the sun is beaming and there is only float charge allowed by the controller. I have 300 amp hrs of batt and 720 watts of panel power. I want a controller that will allow me to manually alter the parameters and which also will protect the batts from overcharge, over discharge, etc.

Get a properly sized victron. Altogether you should have a MPPT, Battery Monitor with shunt, Inverter/Charger and one of the brains all by Victron.