Of the two which one

Re: Of the two which one

Brian,

I faced a comparable question a couple of years ago. I ended up buying a Xantrex Link-10, which is similar to their XBM. I don’t think the XBM was readily available when I bought my Link-10.

I believe the discharge and charge algorithm used in the Link-10 and the XBM is better than the one used in the Tri-metric. All three units include charge efficiency calculations, and that’s a good thing. However, the Xantrex units’ calculations also include factors for battery temperature and discharge current (“Peukert Number”). These latter two factors are important in determining remaining usable battery capacity, because usable battery capacity is reduced as battery temperature drops and/or as discharge current increases.

I’d go for the XBM with the optional remote battery temperature sensor. Both items are available from NAWS, this site’s sponsor. See: http://store.solar-electric.com/xabamosy.html You can brush up in advance on the monitor’s features and operation by downloading the user manual from this site: http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/96/p/docs/pt/7/product.asp

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

Re: Of the two which one

So if I read you right you think the XBM is better than the TM 500A.

IMHO, yes.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer