Overpanelling vs Buying new Victron Charge Controller (Help !!!)

Mr.Cockburn

Hi Everyone,

I'm finally switching to LifePo4 batteries and decided on LiTime, specifically their new 12V 560AH battery with Low Temp Protection.

I also ordered their 60A MPPT charger with Bluetooth but now I'm having doubts the controller can handle my solar array comprised of 6 Kyocera KD185 GX LPU's, wired in a Parallel/Series configuration.... 

So now I'm looking for real world opinions on good (and simple) Bluetooth 80A MPPT Charge Controllers. (Currently set on a Victron 150V 85A Smartsolar Tr Ve. Can.)
** Or ** would simply "overpanelling" the Litime 60A MPPT be ok for the couple of times that I actually go over its rated wattage ?

I would love to get opinions as I want to do this right 😅

Here are the specs for the panels and controller, hopefully this will work because I already ordered all items :

As a reference, my current Outback FM80 is setup exactly the same way with no problems whatsoever, charging a 12v battery bank (Currently 2 Crown CR430)

-Panel Specs: Kyocera KD185GX-LPU (6 panels in Parallel/Series, 2 strings in series of 3 panels wired in parallel giving approximately 46Volts (actual) going into the Controller)

Open Voltage 29.5V
Short Circuit Current 8.58A

-LiTime 60A MPPT Charger with Bluetooth specs:
Max panel Input 900w for 12v, 1800w for 24v, 2600w for 36v, 3200w for 48v

Max Solar Input Voltage: 150V

Battery Voltage 9v-64v

Sooooo..... Do I overpanel the LiTime 60A SCC or just buy a Victron 150V 85A ?? 🫣

BTW: I know that my Outback FM-80 could possibly do the job but I would really like Bluetooth connectivity and alway found the FM-80's menus quite confusing !!  😵‍💫

Thanks, your advice is very much appreciated !!!

littleharbor2

Personally I would stay with the 60 amp controller but I would wire the panels 3S 2P in other words three in series and only two strings which will eliminate the requirement for fusing each individual string when you have three strings. You're still well within the voltage limits of your controller and you're not that much more over the wattage limit of the controller. I'm curious what the actual output of those old panels are 

NANOcontrol

I have 3KW of panels into a 500W controller.   Never had any issues.  For me it is the perfect solution.

Mr.Cockburn

Thank you both for your input, it's a relief to know that my small derogation from the max wattage specs of the 60A may not be an issue after all.

As for the performance of my older panels (and I agree !), I can give you an update when it's all running if you'd be interested to know, and with pleasure too ☺️

Currently, charging my 2 Crown CR430 batteries the panels have no problem giving 60a peaks to them when the sun is right, and I believe that I had set max amps to the battery @ 60 or so when I first set everything up (It's been a while... maybe 2010? I'm getting old 🤣) Actually asked a bunch of questions on this very forum back then to make sure I was starting things off right (it was my first solar system).

This is when batteries are maybe at 60% DOD or so (my guess) but typically they'll put off an easy 12-20A even on overcast days (but with "bright" sky if that makes any sense). Never really have an issue charging my batteries up and in the short, snowy winter days of December, January and February I'll just start up the generator and plug in the Iota DLS 55 (with IQ module) and top them off.

Can't wait to see now with the better input Amp capacity of LiFePo4's to really see what they are capable of putting out for longer periods !!!

Do any of you have any experience with LiTime or Victron products ?? I'm always interested in getting your opinions if so !! 👌

Thank you both for your input, keep 'em coming !!🤘🤠