Absorb voltage between controllers. Ts45, Ps-30

jimbuck
jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
I’m installing a pwm system for approximately 30A of solar. It will be a 12v @ 220Ah FLA bank. I’ve been looking at charge controllers here in the uk and can get a Tristar ts45 for £190 without temp sensor. A pro star ps30 with internal sensor (older model) for £189. If the system was MPPT then I could get a victron 100/30 for £195. (Pwm seems expensive) Looking at the two Morningstar controllers, I am drawn to the Ts45 as i can set the absorption voltage to 14.8. Why did Morningstar set the ps-30 at 14.4? Is this ok? For example if I had the same identical setup (array, bank etc) what would be the effect of charging my battery with the lower absorption voltage of the ps-30? Just a slower charge time? I’m going to be using crown or Trojan batteries which recommend 14.8v absorb but I see others in here happily using the pro star-30.

Thanks, Jim

Comments

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think we have moved to somewhat higher voltages recently. I use to use 14.4 equivalent (28.8 on a 24 volt system) with off brand golf cart batteries and I believe it was common and in the range for flooded lead acid batteries. 

    Here in the state, Trojans do tend to last longer, but aren't as cost efficient in the long run, at least when you might expect to get 7 years out of them compared to 5 out of generic GC batteries. I'm seeing people suggesting you might well get 10+ years out of T105RE's now, so I might suggest then for someone who is experienced with off grid systems. 

    If you are new to off grid systems and can get a generic at around 1/2 the price, I'd suggest that. While flooded lead acid batteries are resilient, first time solar users tend to make mistakes and kill their first set of batteries.


    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Thanks photowhit, I’ve had a small 200w system for a couple of years feeding a 115Ah battery. I’ve been charging at 14.8 with a 13.4 float. I’m just curious as to why people still use ps-30’s etc with their lower setpoint. I’m unclear if it matters to a GC battery from crown/Trojan.
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,002 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It might also have to do with having a single controller that can charge Flooded and AGM batteries without fear of over charging. Agm can't deal well with voltages of around 15 volts, that will kill them over time.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    @jimbuck Since you are looking for a controller, have you considered the Morningstar eco pulse, which isavailable in the UK for about half the price you have posted,  30A including meter, it appears to be similar as the PS.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    @Photowhit, that’s a point but I think the ps-30has a dual for fla, sealed selection. I think I’ve ruled it out anyway.

    @mcgivor, I have never seen that controller before, it looks like a nice simple controller, has 14.7 setting and also a custom setting. I can only find it in 1 store here which is a supplier so I have enquiried about an account. If I can’t get hold of one then i will probably lean towards a Ts-45

    Jim
  • Estragon
    Estragon Registered Users Posts: 4,496 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think my TriStars can be set for up to 15v absorb (L16 preset), and can also do custom setting if needed via PC software. One nice thing about them is they have big heat sinks and no fans, which means one less part to make noise and eventually fail.

    You can charge at lower voltage for longer, but this is often impossible with solar. I imagine it would be a problem pretty much anywhere in the UK much of the year. Might work okay for a summer cottage or caravan though.
    Off-grid.  
    Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
    Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    I just posted a reply and it only displays the first 3 lines of the post? I’ve tried to copy and paste it into the comments box and still 3 lines?

    Jim
  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    jimbuck said:    I just posted a reply and it only displays the first 3 lines of the post? I’ve tried to copy and paste it into the comments box and still 3 lines      Jim
    That happens on other forums,  Try using a plain text editor such as Notepad (windows' basic editor).  Formatted text does not always paste well
    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 ,

  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Thanks, I typed into the leave s comment box and it chopped 90% off the message. Luckily I copied it first do to past experience. I put it in notepad and chopped it up and then tried to paste it, same thing. I’m using an iPhone.

    Jim
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Yes here in the uk we need to make the most of the few sun hours we get in a day (or week) I think over panelling to a degree helps on those days where cloud is passing in front of the sun. I’m fortunate that I only use about 400wh a day. Charging at 14.8 will be a more efficient use of the sun hours than attempting a longer charge at 14.4.
    I’m jealous of those of you in more sunny climates. Jim
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Finally
  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭✭✭
    jimbuck said:
    Thanks, I typed into the leave s comment box and it chopped 90% off the message. Luckily I copied it first do to past experience. I put it in notepad and chopped it up and then tried to paste it, same thing. I’m using an iPhone.

    Jim

    You've brought the problem over from that "other" solar forum. :)

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    Jim, when you post with a desk top computer, the forum can save your in progress typing (browser crash, to click somewhere else accidently, etc.).

    Go to the forum page:

    http://forum.solar-electric.com/discussions

    And look for the "My Drafts" link on the right, down a bit from the top of the page (if the system has no saved drafts, the button will not be there). Just click on My Drafts and you can pick which post you wish to continue on.

    The Mobile version of the software does save you drafts, but does not display "My Drafts" on the the mobile site.

    -Bill

    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Thanks bill, I did some changes to the paragraphs and it eventually posted. It does say draft saved every now and then. I’ve only got the phone, no pc so i’m making sure I copy as I go.

    @littleharbour
    I’ll try and bring something good next time
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,431 admin
    On my Android phones, three dots upper right, click and find the "request desktop site" check box. Click on that, and you can find your "Drafts" folder on one of the main pages (to the right with other "useful" links). Click on that, and you will (hopefully) find your last draft post(s).

    Or, if I leave the comment page and come back (sometimes hit "refresh" too), I will usually get my lost comment back too.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • jimbuck
    jimbuck Registered Users Posts: 46 ✭✭
    Thanks again Bill, I don’t have the 3 dots but can eventually get it to work with a combination of refreshing and pasting.

    Jim