Gday,

The solar controller in my van looks like one of those cheap Chinese PWM controllers ( which they usually sell as MPPT) and not really what Im after.

I want something that will we show me solar panel output x2, battery voltage x2, power consumption and easy to read etc....

I've used Victron controllers in the past , but never on a caravan with 2 batteries and two panels but really like their gear so far.....

Can anyone recommend a good battery monitor and solar controller to suit?

Cheers

Extracting maximum power from a solar panel is a moderately complicated task software wise and it is impossible to know how efficient any given controller will be without testing it, for this reason I have decided to go with a Victron 100V/30A MPPT Bluetooth controller for my forthcoming solar upgrade.

Yes, Ive used similar controllers in the past and they're great but hoping someone can recommend one that does two batteries and two panels on one controller....Cheers

Have Pro Star battery regulator on mine . 3 batches of panels in parallel. 3 X 120 amp batteries . Shows solar input in amps , battery voltage .. VSR fitted between motor and house batteries . Oh 20 amp smart charger to charge when on 240v or when we fire the generator up ? Found a decent charger means running generator is very cost effective !! 20 min max each overcast day is enough !!!  https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/362716472789

I have a tiny system, 6 x 20 watts Projecta panels (2 in series then in 3 sets), 4 x 26AH batteries, Victron MPPT 100/20 Bluetooth, 2 x 9amp Victron DC-DC chargers in parallel & voltage & amp analogue meters. A 10A Victron 240v Bluetooth charger on garage wall.

These days I barely look at the Bluetooth data or the meters as I know the usage.

I have a 2016 Snowy River SR18 it has solar on it 2 panels, 1 battery and a BMPRO Genius 30-35 controller that only does lead acid batteries.

As soon as this Sydney lock down ends I'm having another 2 panels put on the roof and the Battery Management System changed to a BMPRO Battery plus 35-11-HA and an Odyssey controller to turn on the Lithium

charging for the 4 X 100 amp Lithium batteries that will be under the seats.

The Battery plus 35- 11-HA does everything, power from car to run the fridge while moving, disconnects everything while on shore power etc.

Lithium batteries must incorporate an internal Battery Management System or they will not last.

I spent weeks researching and eventually spoke to BMPRO the manufacturers in Melbourne, I think I now have the best system going.

If we get weeks of bad weather I also have a 2 KVa generator.

Hope this helps. 

Cheers from Frank

https://teambmpro.com/

https://teambmpro.com/products/high-amp-battery-management-system-batteryplus35ha/

https://teambmpro.com/products/odyssey-touch-screen-display-rv-monitor/

You can get the system from resellers on special if you keep watching.

VK2FJW wrote:

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I spent weeks researching and eventually spoke to BMPRO the manufacturers in Melbourne, I think I now have the best system going.

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 You may want read the following from this thread:

T1 Terry wrote:

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Webby1 wrote:

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Hi Has anyone installed a lithium battery to a BMPro J35B or J35C Battery Management System and had no problems with their system. Itechworld in WA claim you simply remove your old AGM Battery and connect the Lithium and it is all systems go, whilst BMPro say no. I am looking some help!!!

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Probably needs its own thread so maybe ask Cindy to relocate it with a new name such as BMpro and lithium batteries.

OK, looking through the charging regime and unless the lithium battery has an extremely good BMS system, the 14.4v bulk and absorption mode for up to 5 hrs at a time will destroy the lithium battery. The problem is, 14.4v = 4 cells at exactly 3.6v each, about as hard to achieve as herding feral cats using dingos. The problem is, as soon as the first cell reaches 3.45v its voltage will start to rise rapidly because it really can't absorb any more current, it is basically full. Unlike lead acid batteries, it can't waste the over voltage by creating an electrolyser in the high cell and splitting the water into hydrogen and oxygen, when a lithium cell is full it is full, no more can go in so the voltage rises rapidly.

Even though they may claim their BMS balancer will keep all the cells balanced, unless it can shift the 20 amps the BMPro is trying to push in, one cell will run away and be seriously damaged. Most balancing circuits can move around 0.5 of 1 amp, one that could move 20 amps would be worth more than the battery and you could not fit the cable size required inside the battery case.

The battery manufacturer will blame the charging system and the charging people will blame the battery BMS, the owner is left stuck with the problem and a seriously injured wallet

 

T1 Terry  

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Try using a JUNTEK battery monitor. Cheap, wireless and tells you everything you need to know.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32867168833.html

Dicko1 wrote:

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Try using a JUNTEK battery monitor. Cheap, wireless and tells you everything you need to know.https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32867168833.html

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 Just clicked the link and for a cheap China unit they certainly get some good reports.

Thanks for the info Dicko.

Thanks

Stu