Morningstar MPPT 60 vs Outback Flexmax or MX-60 Comparison

We are moving from our monohull with a great solar installation to a newly acquired catamaran without solar. So we're starting from scratch. I've been doing research on MPPT controllers--to see whether there's been any significant technology change from when we researched the issue 10 years ago.
Our experience is with the Outback MX-60 solar controller. This is a rugged controller and has worked pretty well for us. It is still blasting away with no mechanical or electrical problems in our harsh cruising environment. We had one issue that Outback helped us with (about 5 years ago) decently responsive tech support. We ended up shipping our 5 year old Outback back from Hawaii for a firmware upgrade (and were not charged for anything else they might or might not have done). So we are pretty satisfied with the Outback and their technical support. There is a little RFI on certain frequencies, but it's easy enough to cut off the panels and/or shut down the controller to eliminate that.
In researching, I've looked at the Midnight Solar Classic and the Morningstar MPPT 60. I think I've discounted the Midnite Solar because of reports on handybobsolar.wordpress.com. His rant about Midnite and his ultimate switch to Morningstar made me look more closely at Morningstar.
While doing so, I found a PDF file floating around put out by Morningstar that has some compelling reasons that Morningstar is better than Outback.
Morningstar Brag Sheet
Any comments about the validity of this comparison? We understand that not everything you read on the internet is true!
One of the claims is less RFI. Can anyone with a Morningstar MPPT 60 comment on RFI on the most-often used HF radio Ham and Marine Bands (7, 14, 6, 8, 12)?
Another claim is that the Morningstar has self-upgrading the firmware. Since we are overseas much of the time this would keep us from having to ship our Outback back for a firmware upgrade. Can anyone comment on how well this works?
Anyone want to comment on their real-life experience with the Morningstar MPPT 60? (or 45)?
Any major differences I should be aware of with the Outback Flexmax vs MX-60??
Anyone have any real positive or negative recent experience with Morningstar or Outback Customer Service?
Many Thanks,
Dave & Sherry McCampbell
s/v Soggy Paws the St. Francis 44
In the Philippines
Our experience is with the Outback MX-60 solar controller. This is a rugged controller and has worked pretty well for us. It is still blasting away with no mechanical or electrical problems in our harsh cruising environment. We had one issue that Outback helped us with (about 5 years ago) decently responsive tech support. We ended up shipping our 5 year old Outback back from Hawaii for a firmware upgrade (and were not charged for anything else they might or might not have done). So we are pretty satisfied with the Outback and their technical support. There is a little RFI on certain frequencies, but it's easy enough to cut off the panels and/or shut down the controller to eliminate that.
In researching, I've looked at the Midnight Solar Classic and the Morningstar MPPT 60. I think I've discounted the Midnite Solar because of reports on handybobsolar.wordpress.com. His rant about Midnite and his ultimate switch to Morningstar made me look more closely at Morningstar.
While doing so, I found a PDF file floating around put out by Morningstar that has some compelling reasons that Morningstar is better than Outback.
Morningstar Brag Sheet
Any comments about the validity of this comparison? We understand that not everything you read on the internet is true!
One of the claims is less RFI. Can anyone with a Morningstar MPPT 60 comment on RFI on the most-often used HF radio Ham and Marine Bands (7, 14, 6, 8, 12)?
Another claim is that the Morningstar has self-upgrading the firmware. Since we are overseas much of the time this would keep us from having to ship our Outback back for a firmware upgrade. Can anyone comment on how well this works?
Anyone want to comment on their real-life experience with the Morningstar MPPT 60? (or 45)?
Any major differences I should be aware of with the Outback Flexmax vs MX-60??
Anyone have any real positive or negative recent experience with Morningstar or Outback Customer Service?
Many Thanks,
Dave & Sherry McCampbell
s/v Soggy Paws the St. Francis 44
In the Philippines
Comments
We cruised on SV Astraea a cheoy lee offshore 41 for about 10 years. Loved it! Have fun and be safe!
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail [email protected]
http://zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar
If 60 amp output is all you need, then I'd go with the Morningsrar. On the other hand, the MidNight offers a number of extra programmable features such as relay drivers you can set to activate external items depending on the state the controller happens to be in. The MX60 is an older, tired design.
BUT the TS-MPPT does NOT have "automatic" updating. I hook mine up to a computer, and use the MS-View software to program and update the controller.
In my experience with the Classic 200, it is NOT as efficient as the TS-MPPT-60 that sits next to it, the fans run often (and are noisy) and the entire unit dissipates a lot of heat. The TS next to is, is much cooler and has a silent heatsink
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Wanted to add that on a boat in a humid hot humid climate, the last thing one wants is a fan running pulling moist air inside unless they really have to.
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail [email protected]
http://zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar
I do understand that the further from the Battery voltage, the MPPT tracker runs, the less efficient the controller, which accounts for a few % of loss, but even sleeping at night, the classic consumes more than the Morningstar.
3Kw MS-TS-MPPT-60 Voc 112V
2Kw Classic 200 Voc 180V
NiFe battery bank absorbs at 67V
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
Ok, Thanks Mike,
But, in my experience, the effects of increased Vmp and Voc is not at all linear.
The point that I was trying to make, is that the TS MPPT 60 is simply UNABLE to do the job that the Classic 200 does. There is a cost, and am sure that you knew that there would not be a free lunch in using the Classic 200, but, with your engineering background, knew that it must have been worth the tradeoff.
Furthermore, the Classic includes many, many things that the stripped-down TS MPPT 60 lacks. The TS uses DIP switches for setting a limited number of charge profiles (yes you can use MS View, but whatta pain), there are absolutely NO Aux outputs on the TS, and the optional Meter for the TS is quite stunted, and counter-intuitive (to me, at least). The standard Classics include the remoteable 4-Line LCD display/control panel (MNGP), two Aux outputs, one of which is an Analog I/O. These Aux I/Os can PWM SSRs for control of Dump loads, like water heater element, etc. The inexpensive WBjr allows monitoring of battery current, Net AH in and out, etc (about $50.), and termination of Absorb based upon actual battery charge current, and so on.
These two CCs are really very different, and if the TS MPPT 60 was not more efficient, then, there would be absolutely no reason whatsoever to even consider it!
These two CCs are in different classes, and comparing the two really seems unfair, especially since there is absolutely no way that the TS MPPT 60 could do the job that the Classic 200 is doing for you, and there is a cost for this benefit to you.
My opinions, Vic
With out getting into Midnite vs anybody argument, I'm personally a fan of Midnite and it's developers...
I would think there are advantages in a marine environment to a fanless design. I also suspect that Morningstars;
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
Conext XW6848 with PDP, SCP, 80/600 controller, 60/150 controller and Conext battery monitor
21 SW280 panels on Schletter ground mount
48v Rolls 6CS 27P