Solar controller voltage output

RichZen · Newbie

RE: Solar controller voltage output

Jaahn · Guru

RichZen wrote:
Do you still have the user manual for that controller / regulator?
How many amps is it?
I have the same regulator and have lost the instruction.
I need the "battery type" settings.

Hi RichZen, smile

I can only say that you should spend a few more bucks and get a decent controller/reg. These cheap ones are the bottom of the barrel. I have several of them I use for a few panels for odd battery charging and top up for cars I work on and vehicles I do not use much when they need it. The voltages shown on the meter are never even close to correct. I write on them a correction by checking with my multimeter so I know what they are doing. disbelief

My MH house battery and my house batteries get a proper MPPT controller that has accurate voltage readings and a proper three stage charging program. That will give best battery life.

Jaahn

RichZen · Newbie

Hi Jaahn.

Yes I agree with you and I am currently perusing the many and varied 30amp mppt controllers for lithium batteries.

I just started out with some cheap stuff play around with and learn. I was expecting some things to fail and help me learn.

The 20amp Maxray PWM controller came with a "350w" felxipanel. I haven't been too concerned with the controller only being 20 amps as I doubt the cheap panel mounted flat to my Vito roof will ever get close to 350 watts.

Interesting note with the Maxray. None of the advertising says it suits lithium. As you can see in the original photo, it lists battery types on the actual unit but not lithium. However when you read the instructions it lists lithium as B4.

I would still like the instructions as I am currently using the controller on an AGM I found in the shed. Its going great. I have my fridge running constantly at 2 degrees. And light up my van at nights and in the morning.

On a cloudy day in winter in the Southern Highlands my battery is full by 10am. It didnt work as good with the 100ah lithium battery. It was only getting to 13.5 v.

As far as the voltage display goes, the regulator, the battery box and the fridge all have battery level indicators and they are usually within 0.1V of each other. Same with Multi meter.

-- Edited by RichZen on Tuesday 16th of August 2022 12:21:14 PM

TimTim · Senior Member

The manual for your controller does not appear to be easily found on the web but if you contact Maxray they may help you.

https://maxray.com.au/contact-us/

Just be careful when buying an MPPT controller as there are many out there that are not true MPPT. Some of the more popular names you may wish to consider.

Victron

Epever

Renogy

Itech world

Personally I use Epever and have not had any issues but to set up for LiFePo4 I needed the Bluetooth dongle.

Tim

Jaahn · Guru

TimTim wrote:
The manual for your controller does not appear to be easily found on the web but if you contact Maxray they may help you.
https://maxray.com.au/contact-us/

Just be careful when buying an MPPT controller as there are many out there that are not true MPPT. Some of the more popular names you may wish to consider.
Victron, Epever, Renogy, Itech world.
Personally I use Epever and have not had any issues but to set up for LiFePo4 I needed the Bluetooth dongle. Tim

I agree with Tim about the fake MPPT controllers. They are sold every everywhere here and on Ebay.! cry

I agree with his list of good units. I have used Epever and Victron and have both types currently.

I might question this statement by RichZen; "As far as the voltage display goes, the regulator, the battery box and the fridge all have battery level indicators and they are usually within 0.1V of each other. Same with Multi meter." I own a meter calibrator so I know what my three multimeters read so I can accurately check the controller settings. Hmm if you consult the table below you will note that LA batteries are sensitive to small voltage steps and in their charging. Say .2V will make a real difference in the long run, between a poorly charged battery and well charged, any more is really bad. Possibly the person in another thread, who has sulphated batteries at 3 years has a crap controller with incorrect voltages.

?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3 Jaahn

Whenarewethere · Guru

When I started with solar & everything else associated with it I didn't have a clue. So I thought buy top quality everything & at least I pretty much hopefully avoid any issues that I would not have a clue about with cheap gear.

Absolutely no regrets buying top quality equipment. When I add other components I still buy quality. I just couldn't be bothered with stress of cheap rubbish.