Suggestions/Thoughts on 30amp Controller

Hi YodaRules,  Welcome to the Forum,

I,  too,  had thought that the MidNite Solar Brat PWM CC would be a great,  inexpensive PWM Charge Controller (CC).

The Brat:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=615&productCatName=Charge Controllers - Brat&productCat_ID=49&sortOrder=1&act=p

It has several Charge profiles for Flooded batteries,  as well as for Sealed batteries (like AGMs).  It has an internal temperature sensor,  which should help keep the charge voltage compensated for at least the ambient temperature.

Seems to be a simple CC for a small system,  where MPPT CCs would have no real advantage,  IMO.

Here is a Link to the Wind-Sun listing for the Brat:
http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/chco/misoclchco/midnite-solar-brat-pwm-solar-charge-controller.html

There are probably less expensive PWM CCs,  but being made and supported by MidNite Solar is an important plus.   There is a very active MidNite Solar Forum,  with a Brat topic,  as well as other useful general info topics:
http://www.midniteforum.com/

With three PV modules,  you would need a Combiner that has a circuit breaker of fuse for each PV module.  This is an important for safety,  when there are three or more PVs in parallel.   And you would want your PVs in parallel,  if you are going to use a PWM CC.

Combiners:
http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/midnite/pvarco/mnpv6.html

The above combiner would have three unused slots for breakers,  when/if you wanted to add PVs later.

Combiner Breakers:
http://www.solar-electric.com/installation-parts-and-equipment/midnite/cipr1/stfubr1/mnepv.html

There are other alternatives for Combiners,  which might save a few dollars,  but would have less flexibility,  if you wanted to expand your system very much in the future.

Using a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) CC would allow you to run a single string of PVs,  and that would not require a Combiner,  saving some $$,  but in small systems,  MPPT CCs are would probably not produce quite as much power,  and cost considerable more that PWM CCs.

Yoda,  is your battery Flooded (has easily removable caps),  or Sealed,  like an AGM?

Some tradeoffs.   FWIW,   Vic

Hi Patsy,

Thanks for the info on your battery.  Sorry,  I had thought that the "visuals"  that you were referring to,  were Links to any suggested CC,  NOT an LCD or similar display being desirable ...   sorry.

Am certain that you realize that while AGM batteries generally do not require water to be added to them,  but,  there is the disadvantage of AGM batteries,  that one cannot simply measure the State Of Charge (SOC).  SO,  it can be difficult to determine weather one's charge parameters are allowing full charge on AGMs.   AGM batteries can have several advantages,  so,  again,  tradeoffs.

Good Luck,   Vic

Hi Patsy,

If you have the space for two 6 V Golf Cart batteries, AND you have a place for them that will allow you to easily see into each cell,  add Distilled Water to each cell,   AND have good access to allow measuring Specific Gravities (SGs)  with a Hydrometer,   then,  golf cart batteries will be less expensive,  and should deliver a longer life,  than AGM batteries.

Some RVs have batteries hidden in a compartment,  accessible from the outside,  and bordering on impossible to do the above important actions,  about every month,  or so (depending upon battery average temperatures,  how deeply the batteries are discharged,  etc).

I would still suggest the MidNite Solar Brat PWM CC.  The Link to the wind-sun site shows that this capable but small and inexpensive CC sells for about $90,  plus a bit for shipping:
http://www.solar-electric.com/inverters-controllers-accessories/chco/misoclchco/midnite-solar-brat-pwm-solar-charge-controller.html

There may well be some Asian import CCs which would be less expensive.  I do not follow that part of the Solar market,  so would have no suggestion for any other CC.  Morningstar offers a mind-numbingly wide range of CCs,  but trying to make an intelligent choice,  especially while being sensitive to one's possible future upgrades seems daunting.   And,  some here have felt that Morningstar's support was a bit lackluster.

MidNite Solar has been in the Solar business for several decades (at Trace/Xantrex,  Founding of Outback Power, and at MidNite),  has terrific support,  and that Forum,  mentioned above.   Their Solar products are actually made in the USA (Arlington,  WA).  I have and use a number of their products,  and IMO,  the products and the Company are top-notch.

That is all for now.   Have Fun,   Vic