Morningstar TS-MPPT-60 Controller
billdean
Registered Users Posts: 13 ✭✭
Currently I have 1200 watts of solar in parallel. Six 200 watt Hightec panels. I am using 2 TS-MPPT-60 controllers. Everything is working fine and I have all the power that I really need. I don't tilt my panels. I use about 20 to 25% of my 4-T105 batteries every night. I have know problems reaching full charge everyday but, I have always wonder if there would be any benefit to me to hook my panels in series. As it stands now I don't believe that I am really using the MPPT controllers to their full potential. But does it really matter?
Comments
At 21 volts VMP you are close to high enough voltage to allow an MPPT type charge controller to work properly, but typically they need 30% higher voltage that they will be charging at. A 12 volt system will charge at 14.5-15 volts so the Charge controller needs a minimum of around 20 volts to work properly. drop your voltage a bit due to Normal Operating Cell Temperatures add a little wire loss and you would be below that.
MorningStar has a string sizing tool here;
http://string-calculator.morningstarcorp.com/
|| 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 ,
Morningstar String Calculator
String Sizing Tool Calculation results
Optimal Configuration. Please note that undersized configurations are categorized as optimal which might not be considered as optimal from a cost perspective.
A string of panels, is wired in series.
The Combiner Box is where the many strings, are paralleled to the input of the charge controller
|| 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 ,
1200 watts @ 12V is too many amps (100A) for the 60A controller, and it would be throttling back power to keep from overheating. UNLESS
you implement a "trick" known as "Virtual Tracking". Aim one string east, one string south, one string west. Only one string makes good power at any one time, and you have a longer term solar harvest.
I've not addressed your loads, battery size or proper inverter size. But Three strings of 2 panels - each string aimed differently so you don't have 1200Peak power, is the way I'd build mine, and save $600, since you won't need a 2nd charge controller.
|| 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 ,
Research what your expected harvest is, with panels flat on the roof, at PV watts. It's possible that the poor angle will prevent you from ever realizing that full output, Could be as low as 50% of nameplate. More than 2 panels in a string, and conversion losses of 2-3 % start to add up vs wire losses from the copper wires at mid voltages.
Another thought is the 80A controller from Schneider, or the PT100 100A from Magnum Energy
|| 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 ,
The coldest morning would not over volt a 150 controller.
Seems the conversion loss from wiring the panels in parallel 21 vmp at 600 watts is 95%
Compared to all 3 in series 63 vmp 93.5% 1.5% extra conversion Loss.
I do not know your wire gauge or or run.
But If the panels are in parelell using a 12 awg single wire run @ 20 ft
from the panels to controller
8.5% wire loss with a 2 volt drop.
3 in series is only a .5% wire loss.
21 volts minus 2 volts wire loss plus voltage drop from a 90f day.
It would not be enough voltage for the mppt to function any better than a pwm controller.
6 230ah GC @36 volts
18 amp accusense charger. 3650 champion