Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

Desert Rat
Desert Rat Solar Expert Posts: 147 ✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
I'm designing a system that will be installed inside a one-room cabin. (No, the batteries wiil be in an enclosure outside.) I'm thinking the owner might object to the "hair dryer" fan found in some charge controllers. I've used the Tristar controllers in several systems and have been happy with their performance and quiet operation. What about the Classic 150, does it have a fan? If so, how does it compare sound-wise to the fan in the FM60/80?
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  • zoneblue
    zoneblue Solar Expert Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    The classic has two fans, three i think. They come on in two stages, when the controller reaches about 45 deg C the first fan comes on. Its farily tame sounding, we have one inside here and i dont mind tthe sound of it. The controller will generally be pulling about 40amps plus for over an half hour before this first threshold is reached. The second 'turbo' fan comes on at some higher threshold, that ive never hit, and just as well, because it is quite a bit louder.

    I have personally heard a classic and a fm80 side by side and the fm80 fan is an order of magnitude louder. However that was on just one visit, and im not sure about the exact ways that the fm80 fans are wired.

    Also bear in mind that its fairly cool here, about 15 deg C, for those in dessert environments the fans will come on earlier.
    1.8kWp CSUN, 10kWh AGM, Midnite Classic 150, Outback VFX3024E,
    http://zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar


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  • NorthGuy
    NorthGuy Solar Expert Posts: 1,913 ✭✭
    #3
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    Xantrex XW-MPPT60-150 does not have a fan and is absolutely quiet (not counting relay clicks).
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    Morningstar MPPT 45 & 60 have no fan, just a large exposed heat sink.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || 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 ,

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  • zoneblue
    zoneblue Solar Expert Posts: 1,220 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    My guess is that case size is a factor in choosing to adopt fans. Whats wrong with a bigger case anyway? Anyone whose ever built a computer knows that the bigger the fan the quieter it is, 40mm fans like those inside the black controllers are the absolute worst. I also dont really get the whole case/heatsink casting thing. I presume its zinc aka 'pot metal', when aluminuium and copper extrusions are proven heat dissipating materials.
    1.8kWp CSUN, 10kWh AGM, Midnite Classic 150, Outback VFX3024E,
    http://zoneblue.org/cms/page.php?view=off-grid-solar


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  • Desert Rat
    Desert Rat Solar Expert Posts: 147 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    The Tristar controllers have aluminum heat sinks, and they work very well. I have installed several here in the desert where the daytime highs are commonly over 100° F., and I have never seen one overheat.
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  • boB
    boB Solar Expert Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: Does the Classic 150 have a a fan?

    Don't you get shading with that cute kitty cat on the PV array ?
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