MPPT Solar Regulator

[skippy]

Anyone know of a reasonable 12volt - 20 to 30 Amp solar MPPT solar regulator.
I need to replace my old solar reg and because these are new to me I was wondering if anyone has one they are happy with?

Skip

 

[ROnEM]

@skippy,

I use the MPPT capability of the CTEK S250Dual DC/DC Charger - allows both 12V from the car and the solar panels concurrently to charge the batteries. I think it is 20 AMP max. Get the intelligence of the CTEK battery charging to keep your batteries at full power. Some solar regulators can only het to about 80% battery capacity.

Cheers,

Rohan

 

[skippy]

@ROnEM

I too have 12 volt/solar regulator MPPT(Redarc) installed in the 4x4.
I probably should have been more specific, I am looking at getting one for the Panda but this time it only needs to be solar.
Any ideas?

 

[navmatt]

Have a look at batteryvalue.com.au he has top quality gear and knows a lot about solar. Has helped me out of a few situations when upgrading the solar system at my beach hut. Very helpful, just flick him an email and let him know what your after.


Cheers
Matt

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Same as @ROnEM here I have the Ctek 250 dual

 

[ROnEM]

@ROnEM

I too have 12 volt/solar regulator MPPT(Redarc) installed in the 4x4.
I probably should have been more specific, I am looking at getting one for the Panda but this time it only needs to be solar.
Any ideas?

@skippy,

I have the DC/DC installed in the van, not the tug.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

I have one in both the Van and the Tug

 

[skippy]

Have a look at batteryvalue.com.au he has top quality gear and knows a lot about solar. Has helped me out of a few situations when upgrading the solar system at my beach hut. Very helpful, just flick him an email and let him know what your after.
Matt

Thanks Matt I will have a look at batteryvalue and let ya know how I go.

@skippy,

I have the DC/DC installed in the van, not the tug.

I was hoping to get a dedicated solar one and maybe save a few $$ compared to the 12 car charger/solar one from either Cetec or Redarc.

I have one in both the Van and the Tug

Soon with a bit of luck I shall two Capt Gadget.
How do you find them because I have only had mine for about 6 months and the improvement on the charging on my 120 watt solar panel was incredible compared to the standard solar regulator? There not cheap though.
Faster charge and now the battery is always fully charged and runs a very power hungry fridge no problems at all, best part is the beers are always cold at 1 degrease too.

This is the main reason I am looking at getting one for the Panda now.

Skip

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Thanks Matt I will have a look at batteryvalue and let ya know how I go.


I was hoping to get a dedicated solar one and maybe save a few $$ compared to the 12 car charger/solar one from either Cetec or Redarc.



Soon with a bit of luck I shall two Capt Gadget.
How do you find them because I have only had mine for about 6 months and the improvement on the charging on my 120 watt solar panel was incredible compared to the standard solar regulator? There not cheap though.
Faster charge and now the battery is always fully charged and runs a very power hungry fridge no problems at all, best part is the beers are always cold at 1 degrease too.

This is the main reason I am looking at getting one for the Panda now.

Skip

Mine have made a huge difference the one in the van is used just for the solar and the one in the tug has an Anderson plug attached so I can use it with the portable solar panel I bought mine here cheapest place I have found even cheaper than when I bought mine

 

[skippy]

Mine have made a huge difference the one in the van is used just for the solar and the one in the tug has an Anderson plug attached so I can use it with the portable solar panel I bought mine here cheapest place I have found even cheaper than when I bought mine

Hey Grant @Capt. Gadget

I am assuming that D250s will still work ok with 2 batteries hooked up in parallel?

 

[ROnEM]

I am assuming that D250s will still work ok with 2 batteries hooked up in parallel?

@skippy - yes, it works a real treat with dual batteries - I have dual 100AH factory fitted batteries, connected in parallel.

I run an Anderson (grey plug) from the Tug to the D250S in the van, and also another Anderson (red plug) from the 200W portable solar panel via 5 metre 6B&S cable at the A-frame to the D240S.

Batteries are almost always at full power.

Gotta make sure the expresso machine has enough power (via the 2,500W inverter)

Cheers,

Rohan

 

[brookes2622]

My concern with a D250S is that all their doco states it is for lead acid batteries not AGM. In fact there is no mention of AGM's at all. I know they show the 5 phase charging cycle but my understanding is that lead acid and AGM require different cycles to optimally maintain the batteries.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Hey Grant @Capt. Gadget

I am assuming that D250s will still work ok with 2 batteries hooked up in parallel?

YEah I have two 120AH AGM batteries in the Van and it works fine off the solar I've also disconnected my Setek in the Van and added a Ctek MXS 25 240 v charger

 

[Capt. Gadget]

My concern with a D250S is that all their doco states it is for lead acid batteries not AGM. In fact there is no mention of AGM's at all. I know they show the 5 phase charging cycle but my understanding is that lead acid and AGM require different cycles to optimally maintain the batteries.

Hi @brookes2622 This excerpt from this site

3. Wet Cell (flooded), Gel Cell, and Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) are various versions of the lead acid battery. The Wet cell comes in two styles; Serviceable and Maintenance free. Both are filled with electrolyte and are basicly the same. I prefer one that I can add water to and check the specific gravity of the electrolyte with a hydrometer. The Gel Cell and the AGM batteries are specialty batteries that typically cost twice as much as a premium wet cell. However they store very well and do not tend to sulfate or degrade as easily as wet cell. There is little chance of a hydrogen gas explosion or corrosion when using these batteries; these are the safest lead acid batteries you can use. Gel Cell and some AGM batteries may

 

[gwadir]

Skippy,

We have the Ctek D250S and the Ctek Smartpass controlling our batteries and systems on our van. The Smartpass gives us extra Charge current capacity.

Dave

 

[chartrock]

Mine have made a huge difference the one in the van is used just for the solar and the one in the tug has an Anderson plug attached so I can use it with the portable solar panel I bought mine here cheapest place I have found even cheaper than when I bought mine

I bought mine from here but paid $10 more.

 

[skippy]

@skippy - yes, it works a real treat with dual batteries - I have dual 100AH factory fitted batteries, connected in parallel.

I run an Anderson (grey plug) from the Tug to the D250S in the van, and also another Anderson (red plug) from the 200W portable solar panel via 5 metre 6B&S cable at the A-frame to the D240S.

Batteries are almost always at full power.

Gotta make sure the expresso machine has enough power (via the 2,500W inverter)

Cheers,

Rohan

Thanks Rohan looks I am going with the D250s in Parallel

YEah I have two 120AH AGM batteries in the Van and it works fine off the solar I've also disconnected my Setek in the Van and added a Ctek MXS 25 240 v charger

Why did you change to the CteckMXS 240 Grant?
I found the Ctec for $219 delivered.... See below>>>>
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CTEK-D25...d=100005&prg=1088&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=400359722671&

I bought mine from here but paid $10 more.

Same one I just found lol



Off to eBay to purchase the D250s and thanks to all for the input

Skip

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Why did you change to the CteckMXS 240 Grant?
I found the Ctec for $219 delivered.... See below>>>>


Skip

The Ctek MXS 25 belts the charge in a lot quicker than the Setec which means I don't have to run the genny as long to charge up the batteries on those days free camping that the sun isn't shining bright enough for the solar to work

 

[skippy]

The Ctek MXS 25 belts the charge in a lot quicker than the Setec which means I don't have to run the genny as long to charge up the batteries on those days free camping that the sun isn't shining bright enough for the solar to work

:eek-53: 25 amp that is huge amount of amps compared to my other 7 stage charger at 7amps.

Ya right though the less time the genny's on the better.

I see why you have done away with the setec.
I have been thinking of doing the same as well but I have other priorities at the moment on the van.I don't think it will be far away though.

Buy the way the D250S is ordered and hopefully be here next week ready for fitting on the following weekend. Let ya know how I go.

Paul

 

[skippy]

Hey @Capt. Gadget

I have installed the D250s Ctek in the Panda and being charged by a 200 watt solar panel but for some reason I am not getting more than 3.6 amp's on charge according to the drifter control panel.
There are no clouds in the sky so the panel is running at max output from memory about 21 volts.

I am not sure if this is correct but I would have assumed that the D250s would be producing a stronger charge than 3.6amp on solar.
Out of curiosity how many amps does your D250s produce on solar Grant?

Thanks

Paul