Perfect Suitor 30A PWM CC

I installed one a few days ago as a test setup (2x 40w PV's one 35Ah deep cycle battery) on a table not wanting to take down my current system (Exterior perimeter lighting and water feature pumps only not grid tied) which has a Morningstar SL20 controller (1x100w 1x125w 1x95Ah battery) on it.
Things this one has / does that the Morningstar does not:
1. DC output jacks in addition to the load terminals.
2. Ability to turn on the load as long as you want. The Morningstar will only come on at night, or for a few minutes with the "test" button.
3. Has LCD display to show PV in and battery voltages and other system states, the Morningstar has no LCD.
4. Two USB ports are built in. The Morningstar has none.
5. Keyhole mounting slots for easy mounting / removal if needed
6. Has ambient air temp indicator in the LCD.
7. Visual indicator for charging, and float states.
Issues some may call nits, others may consider them show stoppers.
1. The "heatsink" is thin, but likely adequate for the rating of the CC.
2. The menu navigation is convoluted, and takes getting used to.
3. The load on/off set point works oddly, but the load turns on and shuts off with the PV voltage at ~3 volts, the SL20 load comes on when sun is still up and stays on well into morning sunlight, a waste of battery reserve.
4. The temperature indicator is Celsius only, you cannot change it to Fahrenheit. NP I have a digital thermometer in my case.
5. For a 30 amp controller the input and output lug screw heads are terribly under size. I had to grind a screwdriver tip down to get a fit in the slotted head to tighten them sufficiently.
6. The "instructions" are very poor.
7. There are no specs or details / availability for the 12v output plug.
8. The LCD is not illuminated. NP my case has an LED night light in it.
I have no idea how / where these claimed functions are or how to access them:
- Discharge capacity control.
- Discharge counter of ampere hour.
- Working storage function: record the total run time of system, record timers of error during running time, record times of full charged battery.
Overall at less than $30 delivered this model greatly simplifies installation as I had to add USB ports, in/out voltmeters, and temperature indicator to my setup with the Morningstar controller. If it turns out to be reliable this one has several additional features than the more expensive SL20.
I've read few reviews of value on this one (several saying they purchased it and did not install it yet Grrr...), and so far I'm surprised that it has done so well on my test system. The seller on EBAY I bought from listed it as a PWM controller and did NOT call this one an MPPT controller which others do.
I've read few reviews of value on this one (several saying they purchased it and did not install it yet Grrr...), and so far I'm surprised that it has done so well on my test system. The seller on EBAY I bought from listed it as a PWM controller and did NOT call this one an MPPT controller which others do.
Comments
|| 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 ,
As far as the SL-20 being a purpose build device, you are correct and it does an acceptable job but it's shortcomings were more than easily surpassed with what I reviewed. My purpose for the review was to do just that, if others decide to look into the Perfect Suitor with lighting control as their main use, I hope my comments and results work for them whichever of the two they may decide on.
As far as my comparisons being unfair... I feel differently.
http://www.y-solar.com/