Morningstar vs Victron

jrcent · July 2019

I'm trying to decide which charge controller to use for my night 12v system.

I think I have it narrowed down to the 75/15 victron and the morningstar sunsaver 75/15. I already have the morningstar 300w sunsaver inverter. They both have good specs. They both are about the same price. I see more reviews for the victron but haven't seen any bad reviews for the morningstar. Is there anything I've missed that would make one or the other a better choice? Thanks for any help.

mike95490 · July 2019

Morningstar has been making very solid charge controllers for years. I like them

jrcent · July 2019

Thanks. I've seen some of the reviews for their own and older controllers that lasted for years.

I'm partial to the morningstar but it's hard to find much on them except that they work good and last long but hard to program. I already have the display from the sureshine. Very light load on the batteries.

With the victron I have been wondering how much the bluetooth loads the system being on constantly. They do have the Battery Life algorithm which sounds good.

mcgivor · July 2019

Morningstar tech support is outstanding, the product is rugged, TS 60 experience, somewhat simple on the surface but infinitely adjustable with MSview software, if applicable, would definitely recommend and purchase again. No experience with Victron.

Estragon · July 2019

I think Victron is bigger in the boat and European markets, MS more americas. Bluetooth does use some power. There's a low power version of bluetooth (ble) for short range (eg. a few feet with no obstructions) - don't know if Victron uses it.

jrcent · July 2019

I went with the morningstar. Thanks

mike95490 · July 2019

jrcent said:

I'm partial to the morningstar but it's hard to find much on them except that they work good and last long but hard to program.

Well, then maybe you should not be programming them. They have about the simplest and very intuitive interface I've seen. You will have to make the mental jump from 12 to 24 to 48V depending on your battery voltage. There are a few settings that have obscure names, but most folks with familarity with solar, should have no problem.

( I've speaking of their MSView program, which is what I understand is used for all their gear)
https://www.morningstarcorp.com/msview/

jrcent · July 2019

Hard as in connectivity is more what I read about the programming what I could find in reviews. Not much reviews compared to other brands. But 90% of the reviews are from Chinese crap trying to convince someone that they didn't waste their money lol. I don't have a problem with the programming myself. Looks like I can just play and play also with a couple jumper settings but I guess I'll find out. That's why I went with the sunsaver 15a because it's so powerful for the price. The MS site actually has a lot of information about it and programming .

This will be my nighttime system running 12v using 400w panels, sureshine 300w inverter, sunsaver mppt 15a. Figured for the winter here that plus propane and generator will be good.

Still working on my daytime system. Right now at 24v but depending on the inverter I choose will be 24v or 48v. I like the lower amps of 48v but still researching

jrcent · July 2019

Estragon said:

I think Victron is bigger in the boat and European markets, MS more americas. Bluetooth does use some power. There's a low power version of bluetooth (ble) for short range (eg. a few feet with no obstructions) - don't know if Victron uses it.

A few of the reviews were complaining about the bluetooth connectivity and sometimes having to be right next to the controller to work. Not sure if that's still an issue or not. MS seems like a nice piece of gear

Estragon · July 2019

I'm happy with my MS gear, FWIW.

Personally, bluetooth in a charge controller wouldn't be much use to me whether BLE or otherwise, but that's application specific. I can see where it might be.

jrcent · July 2019

mike95490 said:

jrcent said:

I'm partial to the morningstar but it's hard to find much on them except that they work good and last long but hard to program.

Well, then maybe you should not be programming them. They have about the simplest and very intuitive interface I've seen. You will have to make the mental jump from 12 to 24 to 48V depending on your battery voltage. There are a few settings that have obscure names, but most folks with familarity with solar, should have no problem.
( I've speaking of their MSView program, which is what I understand is used for all their gear)
https://www.morningstarcorp.com/msview/

Mike what do you use to program your MS equipment? Ethernet, USB, or serial? I still like the old school serial but most of the newer computers don't have the port so ethernet is probably the most accessible with their software?

mike95490 · July 2019

I use the serial - USB interface. It HAS to be the tripp-lite U209-000-R, or an exact clone. All others leave out the power chip that is required to run the serial port side.

That is the only "difficulty" getting it to work. ( and that you know how to count and click on the proper serial port in your system )

I don't know if their sw runs on Mac.

jrcent · July 2019

mike95490 said:

I use the serial - USB interface. It HAS to be the tripp-lite U209-000-R, or an exact clone. All others leave out the power chip that is required to run the serial port side.
That is the only "difficulty" getting it to work. ( and that you know how to count and click on the proper serial port in your system )
I don't know if their sw runs on Mac.

Ok. I will try that. Once setup it shouldn't need any more attention other than occasionally. The MS website says something about external power but I know different models behave differently so probably easier to stick with the original. I might even have one lying around.

Morningstar vs Victron

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