MPPT Controller for 60 volt battery bank

spacebass

I have 60 volt , 5 x 12volt 120amp lifpo4 battery bank and 4 x 380 watt mono panels to charge it, but I cannot find a 60 volt mppt controller.
Can I somehow use two 36 volt mppt controllers with two panels on each and plug both the outputs of the two controllers to + and -  of the battery bank.
Thinking about it I guessthe 36 volt  mppt controllers will notvrecognise the battery , but any ideas why no 60 volt mppt controllers ??
Thanks x

Photowhit

spacebass said:

 ...but any ideas why no 60 volt mppt controllers ??

Why is pretty easy. It's the same reason there aren't a lot of cars that go over 120mph. They aren't needed unless you have a special place to use them. There aren't many/any 60 volt inverters or applications.

spacebass said:

...but I cannot find a 60 volt mppt controller.

The Midnite Classic will go to 72 volts. You can use their string sizing tool to see if a standard classic will work for the panels you purchased. It's likely you will need to place all 4 panels in series to use them, depending on your charging voltage and the panel voltage. That will make life difficult for you, as you may need to use the Classic 200 or track down a Classic 250.


https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-classic-150-sl-charge-controller.html

There are other charge controllers that will go to 60 volts. Outback FM60 might be the most affordable of the quality charge controllers at around $400. Not sure it will work with your panels.

https://www.solar-electric.com/outback-power-flexmax-fm60-150-mppt-charge-controller.html

Schnieder/Context XW60 also.

Again, don't go buying anything, until you use the string sizing tools (preferred) or check the spec's and understand the voltage drop and needs VMP/VOC of the charge controllers and the ability of the array/system to deliver that voltage.

Here's Midnite's string sizing tool;

http://www.midnitesolar.com/sizingTool/

Dave Angelini

The Schneider CSW inverter/charger is 40v to 64vdc. Their Mppt is 0 to 80vdc. They also can be networked and you can see the big picture as well as all of the usual charts, graphs, and data. Monitor it any where there is internet or cell.

https://solar.schneider-electric.com/product/sw-na/
https://solar.schneider-electric.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/DS20200909-Conext-MPPT-60-150.pdf

The screen below shows a BMS that is failing (red area)  and later you can see the red current dip of an electric refrigerator going into defrost. You probable might miss this if you could not see this happening. Always network and stay with the same brand.

spacebass

Thanks for the replies but I think the solutions are out of my league here in Thailand they would be very very expensive and not commonly available.
I did not have too much difficulty sourcing a 60 volt inverter two actually but the first arrived with the 60 volt board loose in the inverter case !!,.
Could I use two of these with two panels on each

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.cHO1e

and take both outputs to + and - of battery bank??
I know cheap and cheerful but seems to he only choice.

Photowhit

2 charge controllers in parallel (that's the new link a 10 amp 60 volt CC) Is likely to work fine. 
EDIT - Got to thinking about it, and perhaps you would have a greater chance of conflict since the voltage range is so narrow, with lithium batteries.

Copies of the Outback are made in china and might be available more easily than importing from the US.

Dave Angelini

Schneider is not cheap but available worldwide. There are posters here on this forum from Thailand using schneider sourced in Thailand.

Lithium of unknown design and manufacture can have a very narrow voltage window.  Need to get alot more specific to do this right. You can toast your battery.

mike95490

If you are thinking of wiring 2 charge controllers in series - forget it.   Usually, a charge controller has the (-) minus lead common between the array and battery and often it is connected to chassis ground.   This can short out half your battery with exciting results

spacebass

Dave Angelini said:

Schneider is not cheap but available worldwide. There are posters here on this forum from Thailand using schneider sourced in Thailand.

Lithium of unknown design and manufacture can have a very narrow voltage window.  Need to get alot more specific to do this right. You can toast your battery.

This is my battery
http://aegis-energies.com/products/bx/2019-04-14/42.html
 in the Chinese it says it has sophisticated protection , I have been using them for a few monrths at 48 volts and aafter that at first when I added the fifth battery making 60 volt bank for a couple of months charging the bank with aa 73 volt lithium charger from my day time array with no problems (both 5 amp and 10. amp lithium chargers , batteries 10 amp max charge) with no problems .

Dave Angelini said:

Schneider is not cheap but available worldwide. There are posters here on this forum from Thailand using schneider sourced in Thailand.

Lithium of unknown design and manufacture can have a very narrow voltage window.  Need to get alot more specific to do this right. You can toast your battery.

spacebass

Photowhit said:

2 charge controllers in parallel (that's the new link a 10 amp 60 volt CC) Is likely to work fine. 
EDIT - Got to thinking about it, and perhaps you would have a greater chance of conflict since the voltage range is so narrow, with lithium batteries.

I have been charging these batteries with both 5 amp aand 10 amp lithium 04 chargers rated at about. 72 volts for a couple of months with no problem now I have biought 3 panels x 390 watts I am charging 4 at 48 volts with mppt. controller set at 10 amps 58 volts and the fifth one wirh supplied 6 amp 14 volt charger then linking them up to 60 volts for night shift until I can get 60 volt mppt 60  (73) volt mppt sorted.

Copies of the Outback are made in china and might be available more easily than importing from the US.