outback charge controller- alternatives?

2 Posts
Apr 2, 2007 12:18 pm
outback charge controller- alternatives?

Hi newbee here. I have a selection of 12v and 24v panels totaling aprox max current of 25 amps. Is there another charge controller apart from the outback mx60 which would let me plug in both 12 and 24v panels? Do I need the mppt version?
 
578 Posts
Apr 2, 2007 12:40 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

put the 12v and 24v modules on different controllers.  try to keep like (exactly the same) modules together for mppt controllers.  otherwise use pwm/pwm shunt controllers. 
that is what i would do if I had a mixed array.  tell us exactly what you've got and we'll chime in on the best setup.

- james Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 
2 Posts
Apr 6, 2007 05:52 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

hi, i was told in the uk that the outback could take varying voltage panels, is this incorrect? Am at present in usa, am getting someone back home to look and collect info on my panels. Not sure I understand difference between mppt nad pwm shunt controllers. thanks bates
 
10 Posts
Apr 16, 2007 07:14 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

Hi, James, I have 6 SBM solar panels in different specification.
(1)45W, 15.0V, 3.0A
(2)65W, 15.4V, 3.87A
(3)42W, 15.0V, 2.6A
(4)60W, 17.5V, 3.37A short circuit current 3.87A
(5)50W, 17.0V, 3.2A
(6)50W, 17.0V, 3.2A
I also bought PVX-340 Sealed AGM Battery from here last week. What is suitable outback charge controller I may look for? I am not sure those modules should in parallel or in series to outback charge controller, which is better?

Can you help?
Thanks.
« Last Edit: Apr 16, 2007 07:20 pm by Gary Cheung »
 
578 Posts
Apr 18, 2007 02:30 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

i would keep the thin film separate from the others.
don't series modules that are not the same.
use mppt for like strings.

what does sbm mean?  why are there two groups (5) and (6) with the same characteristics.

if you are going to put a bunch of different stuff together, i would use something like a tristar 60, or c60.  i still would not put the thin film with the rest.

if you end up with a few charge controllers, i would use something like a battery distribution block to manage the impending spaghetti of wires.

hope that helps, feel free to give more info, including make and model of modules.

- james Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 
10 Posts
Apr 19, 2007 05:07 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

James,
SBM solar is a solar panel manufacture located at NC. And, all my panels I was describing above are non-glass type PV modules. If, I can’t put them in series because they weren’t same, then I could do parallel with a charge controller which may up to 60amp. Is that correct?

Thank you.
Gary
 
578 Posts
Apr 19, 2007 05:23 pm
Re: outback charge controller- alternatives?

yes, you could probably do that.  make sure the total isc is less than 60.  i would suggest tristar 60.  the only concern is that some of the modules had vastly different vmp numbers in the 15v range which led me to believe they were thin film.  if it were me, i would put thin film on a different controller, but at the end of the day, as long as you have a controller capable of handling the current you have at the right voltage, things will probably be fine.

james - Alt-E staff

AltE
"Making Renewable Do-able"
http://www.altEstore.com/

Tel: 877.878.4060 x107  or +1.978.562.5858 x107
Fax: 877.242.6718  or +1.978.562.5854
 

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