Hi all, I recently upgraded my old '89 Mitsubishi Rosa's solar array, regulator and battery storage system. I got the pv panels, 3x 260w/24v, an 80 amp OutBack flexmax mppt charge controller, and 3x Amaron sleek 150 ah batteries installed by Newcastle Batteries at Warner's Bay. It all appears to be running smoothly....which is a relief, however, I am now concerned that with all the charging parameters possible, I would very much like to ensure everything is setup to maximise the power developed, without harming the batteries or lessening their longevity. Apparently....overcharging can shorten the battery life, the manufacturer's manual tells me the Float charge is 13.5v, with a maximum charging current (Amps) of 0.3C and the Boost charge is 13.8v at a maximum of 0.3C. At the moment I have set the controller to charge at these settings. Is there anything else I need to do to ensure everything operates as it should? I have a couple of links below for anyone with a degree of their life that they feel they need to waste. Am also interested in resetting my battery monitor parameters so it reads correctly. Any help with percentages and voltages would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to read this
Not a solar genius, more like a drip under pressure, I'm not familiar with the OutBack flexmax mppt charge controller but from the look of the very impresive and comprehensive manual (112 pages) I have no doubt it would be very good and also after reading the specs on the batteries best I can say is overall I'm very jealous.
If Newcastle Batteries set this up for you then I've say it should be pretty much set & forget. Without reading the manual I'd say the MPPT controller should maintain the batteries float levels automatically. But if you are unsure perhaps direct the question to Newcastle Batteries as they obviously know the system well and could save you/us a lot of reading.
Now IF you ever want to swap your setup for a basic system like mine then I'm up for it, LOL.
-- Edited by madaboutled on Wednesday 18th of March 2015 07:55:29 PM
-- Edited by madaboutled on Wednesday 18th of March 2015 07:56:22 PM
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
Hi Mrdevonian, Well I might like to swap that setup too I am no "expert" but those çharge settings are what the manufacturer says, so that's what you use, I guess. They seem a bit conservative but they should know and should give good life.
I will brouse the other manual but at 112 pages it might take a while ? I guess you have 3x 24v panels in parallel charging through the MPPT controller to the three 12v batteries in parallel for a 12v system ? Seems like it should work OK.
I am no "expert" but those çharge settings are what the manufacturer says, so that's what you use, I guess. They seem a bit conservative but they should know and should give good life.
Seems like it should work OK.
