Awesome new MPPT controller with bluetooth control for $99
- Thread starter JCruse
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- bluetooth control controller
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Cruiserdrew
On the way there
George-Any thoughts on self consumption of the "dongle"?
I didn't see it published, and have not measured it yet.
I didn't see it published, and have not measured it yet.
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^ Dongle adds no appreciable additional draw with my quick testing which is good to see. Quick test shows about 22mA quiescent draw (no panel) and 21mA without the BT dongle, this with just a precision power supply pretending to be a battery.
I'll do more testing over the next few days. Looks well built. I'll do some mppt tests (with power supplies and electronic load) to better determine actual performance.
Looks well built with decent attention to detail in the assembled unit.
cheers,
george.
I'll do more testing over the next few days. Looks well built. I'll do some mppt tests (with power supplies and electronic load) to better determine actual performance.
Looks well built with decent attention to detail in the assembled unit.
cheers,
george.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Excellent data George. 22 mA is low-I think my old Ecoworthy MPPT was 40 mA self consumption.
- Thread starter
- #45
Well as the troublemaker who started this thread I thought you might like to hear that my testing phase is over and it's a keeper!
For whatever reason my previous Batteryminder unit put out quite a bit more voltage (don't know at what amperage though) but whenever I use up some house battery now, this unit ramps up panel output to quickly put it right back. So I cant see why it won't be fine when summer gets here. In fact I cant wait to see what it'll do when I'm using lots of juice a lot of the time. I'll be shocked if it doesn't out perform the others I've had.
For whatever reason my previous Batteryminder unit put out quite a bit more voltage (don't know at what amperage though) but whenever I use up some house battery now, this unit ramps up panel output to quickly put it right back. So I cant see why it won't be fine when summer gets here. In fact I cant wait to see what it'll do when I'm using lots of juice a lot of the time. I'll be shocked if it doesn't out perform the others I've had.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
^ @JCruse
If you really want to be impressed, run your battery down to half charge. Either with your stereo (that will take ages) or lights or a portable compressor. Once you get the voltage down to 12.2 or so, then hook up the solar. That will show you about the max it can do. It sounds like yours is working perfectly in all respects. When I was testing for max output, I rand down the battery with a compressor for about 20 minutes, then turned on the lights to keep drawing it down, and then hooked up the solar. If the batteries a fully charged or close, there's nowhere for all that power to go.
If you really want to be impressed, run your battery down to half charge. Either with your stereo (that will take ages) or lights or a portable compressor. Once you get the voltage down to 12.2 or so, then hook up the solar. That will show you about the max it can do. It sounds like yours is working perfectly in all respects. When I was testing for max output, I rand down the battery with a compressor for about 20 minutes, then turned on the lights to keep drawing it down, and then hooked up the solar. If the batteries a fully charged or close, there's nowhere for all that power to go.
^ @JCruse
If you really want to be impressed, run your battery down to half charge. Either with your stereo (that will take ages) or lights or a portable compressor or even better, with a 1000w 120v espresso machine.
Once you get the voltage down to 12.2 or so, then hook up the solar. That will show you about the max it can do. It sounds like yours is working perfectly in all respects. When I was testing for max output, I rand down the battery with a compressor for about 20 minutes, then turned on the lights to keep drawing it down, and then hooked up the solar. If the batteries a fully charged or close, there's nowhere for all that power to go.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Dang @spressomon -1000 watts even if the inverter is super efficient, would be like 100 amps out of your battery!
except it only takes 20-minutes. Unless the line is long
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Dang, 30-40 Ah for a couple of espressos? I want 3 next time.
Which by the way, is enough to run 2 fridges for 24 hours!
Which by the way, is enough to run 2 fridges for 24 hours!
6 actually ... I can pump them out mo-fasta now . The trick: Use propane to heat enough water for the Cremina's boiler ... to give it a jump start to hot and ready.
. The trick: Use propane to heat enough water for the Cremina's boiler ... to give it a jump start to hot and ready.
Picked up one of these the other day to add to my existing Renogy 100w suitcase panel. Ditched their PWM controller, adding this one.
After some sound advice from and 'discussions' with george_tlc, he set me straight on my wiring and component locations and I think I'm good to go now.
I'll post up pics once I have my setup MacGyver'd together ! Thanks for sharing.
After some sound advice from and 'discussions' with george_tlc, he set me straight on my wiring and component locations and I think I'm good to go now.
I'll post up pics once I have my setup MacGyver'd together ! Thanks for sharing.
- Thread starter
- #53
Dang, in four years of countless all day all night electric usage I've never gone that low! I think I hit 12.3 ONCE and that was when my last battery was dying. I always shut down the high energy user at or above 12.4 and wait till it bounces back up a bit. After a little more music or whatever it's time to turn in, and in the morning the solar is charging nicely. I want this battery/batteries to last a good long time. That's why I got this new charger.
I agree on the charger. I expect it will do a fine job this summer. After some limited testing I've found that it works like a champ. Even just changing the setting puts it into bulk and the juice from the panel shoots up considerably.
.
FYI/FWIW
So, until this afternoon its been probably 6-8 weeks since I connected the two PV panels to the trailer battery for charging.
#1 If you guys don't already know: If there is a firmware update available, then Victron forces you to do the update otherwise the BT link no workie. The controller appears to pass current but the dongle is dead without the latest firmware.
#2 Its been long enough I forgot the default dongle PIN which you need to do the firmware update: Its 000000 FWIW.
So, until this afternoon its been probably 6-8 weeks since I connected the two PV panels to the trailer battery for charging.
#1 If you guys don't already know: If there is a firmware update available, then Victron forces you to do the update otherwise the BT link no workie. The controller appears to pass current but the dongle is dead without the latest firmware.
#2 Its been long enough I forgot the default dongle PIN which you need to do the firmware update: Its 000000 FWIW.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
So did you reset the dongle? Your phone app should have had no problem remembering the code.
But I noticed this too. If there's an update, you must update. But fortunately, that takes all of 15 seconds and done.
But I noticed this too. If there's an update, you must update. But fortunately, that takes all of 15 seconds and done.
The phone app didn't have the PIN embedded. Now I've got a nice little label on the dongle with the pin #
Radio Dave (trona on mud) took this controller to Death Valley in February. By the end of a 2 week trip it stopped working. After taking it apart he found it full of a gooey mess of water-logged desiccant and shorted out. It was mounted in the engine compartment of his 40 which isn't 100% dry but not overly wet either. He doesn't post much here - Just wanted to mention it, FYI.
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The unit I have is potted - at least all the visible main electronics (blue potting compound). Pictures of the unit if you have it apart would be interesting.
The manufacturer doesn't state it can deal with water/mud etc... I wouldn't mount it in the engine bay - lots of spray, especially with the fan spraying things everywhere. If in the engine bay, I'd put it in a water tight enclosure with water tight fittings for the wiring etc.
cheers,
george.
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
Mine is in the cabin and feeding the interior panel. It works great like this. It is fully potted, but I doubt it's waterproof, especially around the "intake" and the external fuse. (and good on them for an EXTERNAL overload fuse!)
And even though I think the blue tooth dongle is a gimmick, it's still cool to be 40 feet away and check up on your charging. Don't loose sight of the fact that is is a highly efficient, configurable charge controller, and there isn't yet another one like it.
I'm going to fully test mine out in the next week. The firmware updated today (how cool is that!) and I expect excellent performance out beyond data coverage in the Arizona strip.
And even though I think the blue tooth dongle is a gimmick, it's still cool to be 40 feet away and check up on your charging. Don't loose sight of the fact that is is a highly efficient, configurable charge controller, and there isn't yet another one like it.
I'm going to fully test mine out in the next week. The firmware updated today (how cool is that!) and I expect excellent performance out beyond data coverage in the Arizona strip.
I sent a link to this thread to Dave to see if he'll chime in.
