Request recommendations for mppt controller

blueskies
blueskies Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Hey guys and gals,  I'm a little bit befuddled and exhausted trying to find a charge controller that will work well for me.  I have a 7 foot by 16 foot cargo trailer and have completely covered nearly every inch of the roof with 4 solar panels.  (Canadian Solar CS3U-355P - each panel: pmax 355 Watt / vmp 39.4 volt / imp 9.02 amp / voc 46.8 volt / isc 9.59 amp).  I got a midnite solar classic 150.  No offense to midnite or their fans but I may be the one person who got a defective unit.  The display at the top and bottom was clear but the middle was garbled.  And I really didn't think the manual was very comprehensive.  But maybe I'm just stupid.  Once bitten twice shy.  So anyway, I hope for advice on a different unit that will handle my 4 panels wired parallel to (charge controller of your choice) to 4 deep cycle batteries wired 2 parallel and 2 series equaling 24 volts (Universal Power Group 12v 100Ah Solar AGM SLA).  I would like the option of a diversion relay to be added later.  I believe Outback used to have a calculator that you could plug your solar panel values into and it would tell you what would work for you but unfortunately it is gone.  Obviously the thing is on wheels but I'm in Illinois and the record low was -36 F in 1999.  (who knows with this weather)  The average high is about 60 F.  I'm not lazy but keep running into links to calculators that no longer exist or don't make sense to me.  Any advice on a recommended controller unit would be GREATLY appreciated.
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  • wellbuilt
    wellbuilt Solar Expert Posts: 763 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
     I’m no expert but the midnight classic is a good unit . 
      It would be my first choice but I have a outback system so I use a out back fm 80 
    its really easy to set up , and there are videos of all the  procedures online . 
     I could not just read the manual and figure it out .
      It’s a little tricky for a newbie like my self . 
      The fm 60 would work for you also .
     I have a48 volt system  with  5 strings of 3 295 watt panels run in  Series . 
                                 My 2 cent John 
    Out back  flex power one  with out back 3648 inverter fm80 charge controler  flex net  mate 16 gc215 battery’s 4425 Watts solar .
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    I own 3 Midnite Classic's, but they Would NOT be my suggestion for an enclosed trailer if you were going to sleep or conduct business in it. There will be some fan noise. If it's just to be used for cargo, the folks at Midnite will be glad to work with you to fix the problem with your display, heck you will want to replace the display if you are going to resell it any way, but perhaps you returned it. Their manual is pretty complex at times, it has many advanced features.

    I would likely point you toward a Morningstar MPPT TS 60, should be very reliable unit and no fans. Schneider Conext XW 60 would also be an option without fans.


    Outback has a calculator that is a download, Morning star's is here;

    http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com/

    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.
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  • boB
    boB Solar Expert Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Have you tried to contact or left a message to MidNite service ? 

    If not, I would highly suggest doing that. They can also answer questions about the operation of the Classic.

    360-403-7207
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    I have both the classic and the morningstar TSMPP-60.

    I would suggest the Morningstar.  It has some relay set/ trigger ports I think, but I have never used them.  The TSMPP-60 has a built in web server, which is useful for monitoring, stock, it does not come with a LCD display.
    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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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,917 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    I only use the Schneider 600 volt MPPT. Morning star has a 600 volt also. They make all of the work at the array much easier.
    You can use 2 strings of panels without fuses or breakers and just a regular Jbox to combine the strings.
    High voltage also makes it easier to make changes later.
    I would also suggest that you stay with Outback, Magnum, or Schneider in all devices so the system can be easily monitored and give useful data to you. Below is a link that I was given from Schneider. I have not run it

    http://www.schneider-electric.com/resources/sites/SCHNEIDER_ELECTRIC/content/live/FAQS/233000/FA233826/en_US/Conext_Designer_v1.16 (1).air?_ga=2.196879468.1765271633.1559744730-53987244.1559744730
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,641 admin
    #7
    To fix the forum "hashing" Dave's link:

    http://www.schneider-electric.com/resources/sites/SCHNEIDER_ELECTRIC/content/live/FAQS/233000/FA233826/en_US/Conext_Designer_v1.16%20(1).air?_ga=2.196879468.1765271633.1559744730-53987244.1559744730

    This one should work if clicked on (I don't know what a ".air" file is).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,641 admin
    #8
    An Adobe based installation file?

    https://fileinfo.com/extension/air

    AIR files are similar to the more common .EXE and .DMG files, which are used to install applications. However, AIR files can be used to install applications on multiple platforms, whereas EXE files and DMG files are restricted to Windows and macOS.

    If you receive an AIR file you will need to install Adobe AIR on your computer in order to open the file. After you install the program, simply double-click the AIR file and the application will be installed on your computer. It is important to note that Windows Vista systems may not correctly register the ".air" file extension due to a locked file-type association in the registry.

    NOTE: AIR stands for "Adobe Integrated Runtime" and is a multi-platform environment for running Internet-based applications on the desktop.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • boB
    boB Solar Expert Posts: 1,032 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2019 #9
    MidNite used Adobe  AIR for our "Local App"....  At the time, it was going to be a great way to go, kind of like what Microsoft Dot-Net was supposed to be, but of course, Adobe has basically stopped supporting new versions, so moot point
    At least you can still download AIR from Adobe
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