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Post Info TOPIC: Ideal Diodes and Primer on Solar Charge Controls
dorian


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RE: Ideal Diodes and Primer on Solar Charge Controls
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T1 Terry wrote:

Hi Dorian, have they actually got these cells into a commercially available panel format yet? I was reading about a quad junction cell that had achieved very impressive conversion figures but I haven't seen any mention as to whether it scaled up to a marketable product yet.

I have no idea as to what is happening in the solar industry, but aside from misleading references to GaAs at Alibaba, there do not seem to be any consumer panels, only panels for the space industry (satellites, etc). Apparently the price per watt is HUGE. FWIW, I notice that not even the Darwin-Adelaide World Solar Challenge allows for any PV cell chemistries other than silicon based ones.

https://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/files/2272_2019_bwsc_regulations_release_version_3.pdf

 



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dorian


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Baz421 wrote:

Is the Victron MPPT 75 15 controller a genuine MPPT or PWM in disguise?

Is this Hanfong/Victron really a Victron, and is it really "smart" (ie Bluetooth equipped)?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-SmartSolar-12-24V-MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controller-20A-Waterproof-Fast-Charg/254073137582

"Item location: NSW, Australia"



-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of January 2019 05:38:55 PM

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T1 Terry


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dorian wrote:
Baz421 wrote:

Is the Victron MPPT 75 15 controller a genuine MPPT or PWM in disguise?

Is this Hanfong/Victron really a Victron, and is it really "smart" (ie Bluetooth equipped)?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-SmartSolar-12-24V-MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controller-20A-Waterproof-Fast-Charg/254073137582

"Item location: NSW, Australia"



-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of January 2019 05:38:55 PM

:lol: Buyer Beware, who knows if it actually works as good or better than a Victron MPPT controller, anyone want to do some hands on testing? For $80 it might even be worth looking to see if the battery voltage sensing can be separated from the battery charging leads, that would make it superior to the cheaper Victron range then wink

 

T1 Terry 



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Jaahn


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dorian wrote:
Baz421 wrote:

Is the Victron MPPT 75 15 controller a genuine MPPT or PWM in disguise?

Is this Hanfong/Victron really a Victron, and is it really "smart" (ie Bluetooth equipped)?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-SmartSolar-12-24V-MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controller-20A-Waterproof-Fast-Charg/254073137582

"Item location: NSW, Australia"

 Hi Dorian smile

I would not think I was getting a Victron after looking closely at that add. In fact the pictures were of several models with different ratings 10, 15, 20A. None had Victron on them.

And this statement "Protection: "Battery reverse polarity (fuse,not user accesssible) ------" biggrin and " there are 8 gears to adjust the voltage to meet different types of batteries"

I expect Victron will take action against them. But who knows if it works OK.

Jaahn



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dorian


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AISI, there are only a few significant differences between an MPPT controller and a "PWM" controller.

  • inductor and Schottky flywheel diode in buck converter
  • filter capacitor for panel output
  • sensor (resistor or Hall effect) for panel current
  • MPPT routine in firmware

These block diagrams demonstrate that an MPPT controller does not have separate MPPT and PWM hardware, as claimed by some:

In the second diagram the vertical and horizontal switches can be implemented with a Schottky diode and MOSFET chopper, respectively.

 


-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 09:19:42 AM

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Whenarewethere


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dorian wrote:
Baz421 wrote:

Is the Victron MPPT 75 15 controller a genuine MPPT or PWM in disguise?

Is this Hanfong/Victron really a Victron, and is it really "smart" (ie Bluetooth equipped)?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Victron-SmartSolar-12-24V-MPPT-Solar-Charge-Controller-20A-Waterproof-Fast-Charg/254073137582

"Item location: NSW, Australia"



-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 19th of January 2019 05:38:55 PM

 That looks nothing like my 75/10 so I would suggest that it is a fake, & people wonder why they are not getting the benifits of real MPPT product.

Pay the correct amout for long term peace of mind & buy one from an authorised retailer in Australia instead of the Chinese fake rubbish. You will have the use of Fair Trading who will most likely be on your side.

 



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dorian


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ISTM that the only time one can begin to trust anything that comes out of China is when an overseas principal has been involved in all aspects of design, manufacturing, and quality control.



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Whenarewethere


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I am thinking of replacing my 75/10 with a larger unit. Even though the 75/10 can handle 145 watts at 12 volts (6 X 20 watt Projecta panels). It is taking everything it can from my 120 watt setup & stops the current to the battery at exactly 10 amps. So I would suggest give yourself a bit of headroom for the future.



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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
dorian


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Whenarewethere wrote:

I am thinking of replacing my 75/10 with a larger unit.

If you do, would you mind uploading photos of the innards of the old controller? BTW, thanks for you instructive photos and information.



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Whenarewethere


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dorian wrote:
Whenarewethere wrote:

I am thinking of replacing my 75/10 with a larger unit.

If you do, would you mind uploading photos of the innards of the old controller? BTW, thanks for you instructive photos and information.

 More than happy to do that. But it is a bit of a task to remove the controller the way I mounted it on an aluminium heatsink, partly due to the car itself, & from the best of my ability of my memory (getting old) I have a gut feel that it was bonded into the cover, & I would want to keep it as backup. But if I do replace is I will let you know how I go.



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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
T1 Terry


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The Victron MPPT controllers have all their componentry encased in a blue compound that also glues it to the inside of the plastic case. Many yrs back I wanted to see if the battery voltage sensing could be separated from the battery output side of the controller and tore a rather expensive 30/100 unit apart. I didn't find anything straight forwardly available that would dissolve the potting goo they use to hide their circuitry, so I gave up.

T1 Terry

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dorian


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Why does this Morningstar 12/24V 15A MPPT controller cost AU$400+ ?

http://www.kg4cyx.net/under-the-hood-morningstar-sunsaver-mppt/

https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SSMPPT_ENG10_1111.pdf (datasheet)

https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SSMPPT.IOM_.EN_.03-4-131.pdf (manual)

This 60A unit costs between US$50 and $300, depending on the configuration:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/60A-12V-24V-48V-solar-panel_60493357599.html

Here is a German made MPPT controller:

https://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/mppt-solar-power-battery-charging



-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 02:37:37 PM

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Jaahn


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Whenarewethere wrote:

I am thinking of replacing my 75/10 with a larger unit. Even though the 75/10 can handle 145 watts at 12 volts (6 X 20 watt Projecta panels). It is taking everything it can from my 120 watt setup & stops the current to the battery at exactly 10 amps. So I would suggest give yourself a bit of headroom for the future.

 Hi smile

It seems to me that your problem of the regulator cutting off at 10A is transitory. It will only happen when the voltage is low and the sun is full strength. Under these conditions the battery voltage will usually rise quickly. The voltage rise will remove the problem as the MPPT action will decrease as the voltage difference reduces. Just my comment.wink

To repeat, for the information of others following this thread, the current considered important for the rating of a MPPT regulator is the output to the battery. NOT the solar panel current. This quality Victron reg does self limit to its rating. hmm

As another comment I recall my Victron reg was made in India.

Jaahn 



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T1 Terry


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dorian wrote:

Why does this Morningstar 12/24V 15A MPPT controller cost AU$400+ ?

http://www.kg4cyx.net/under-the-hood-morningstar-sunsaver-mppt/

https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SSMPPT_ENG10_1111.pdf (datasheet)

https://2n1s7w3qw84d2ysnx3ia2bct-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/SSMPPT.IOM_.EN_.03-4-131.pdf (manual)

This 60A unit costs between US$50 and $300, depending on the configuration:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/60A-12V-24V-48V-solar-panel_60493357599.html

Here is a German made MPPT controller:

https://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/mppt-solar-power-battery-charging



-- Edited by dorian on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 02:37:37 PM

And why does a Morningstar MPPT controller derate after the internal temperature passes 40*C yet another brand that does work extremely well and has a 60 amp rating can handle 70*C internal temp without derating yet costs roughly half as much?

 

T1 Terry  



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You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.

Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links 
T1 Terry


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Not sure if this will be of any interest to you Dorian, but it is a solar control and battery balancer designed for lithium batteries funded through one of those type sites electrodacus.com/SBMS120/manual/SBMSmanual.pdf This bloke is in Canada and has built quite a few models leading up to this latest rendition and probably covers quite a few of the ideas you have put forward, all at quite a reasonable price I feel.
I'm about to install one in my Hino motorhome with 6 x 270w Tindo panels charging a 24v lithium battery and do a bit of testing on it to see if it lives up to the claims.

T1 Terry

__________________

You can lead a head to knowledge but you can't make it think. One day I'll know it all, but till then, I'll keep learning.

Any links to any sites or products is not an endorsement by me or do I gain any financial reward for such links 
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