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--- electrical:solar:tracer [2019/07/21 11:50]
frater_secessus [quirks]
+++ electrical:solar:tracer [2020/01/07 11:57]
frater_secessus [Chinese MPPT charge controllers]
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Chinese MPPT charge controllers ======
 Prior to the introduction of Chinese controllers, MPPT was an expensive feature found only on controllers costing hundreds of dollars.  Chinese controllers cost about half the price of premium controllers.
+PWM controllers have [[electrical:solar:pwm|their own page.]]
 ===== Tracer =====
 Current production models are below;  [[electrical:solar:tracer-old|older models have been moved]].
 ==== quirks ====
 Some [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|voltage setpoints]] are constrained in relationship to each other.   Because of this it may be easiest to configure them in a particular order.((http://techluck.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1486955008))  This order places the configurations in increasing (or equal) voltages the way the controller wants it.
   - "Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage"
   - "Boost Reconnect"
@@ Line 26: / Line 15: @@
   - Then "Charging Limit"
   - Then "Over Voltage Disconnect"
 {{http://img.mousetrap.net/boondocking/MT-50_displayEvil.jpg?150 }}
 Tracer (and the Renogy rebrands) refer to the **Absorption stage as "boost"**.  This is an unforced error; the nonstandard term confuses newcomers and conflicts with the already-existing "[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT boost]]" term.
 The **battery icon** found on many Tracer controllers is unnecessary and misleading.  The manual claims it is a  [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|State of Charge]] meter but there is no guide to reading it.  Since the same voltage can result in different display during charging and non-charging scenarios, it may actually be useful to think of as a **charging indicator rather than state of charge indicator**.  Secessus' unscientific observation reveals these weak correlations:
 | |  **Charging**|  **Not charging**|
 |  **5 bars / 100%**|  Float| |
@@ Line 39: / Line 25: @@
 |  **1 bar / 20%: early bulk**|  early Bulk, <Vfloat|  <= Vreconnect|
 |  **0 bar / 0%:  **|  not charging|  <= Vlvd|
 ==== A series ====
 {{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ea6Qpt0zL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg }}
 The A series has a front LCD display and rear-facing heat fins. It can handle up to 100v of solar input.
 The A series (and BN below) use the MT-50 display.  Communications are via RJ-485 adapter and the [[http://www.solar-elektro.cz/data/dokumenty/1733_modbus_protocol.pdf|LS-B protocol]] (pdf).  [[https://github.com/kasbert/epsolar-tracer|Open source software]] is available.
 ==== BN series ====
 {{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QoYHrxkRL._AC_US160_.jpg}}
 The BN series has no display.  It has massive front-mounted heat fins.  It is the first Tracer with so-called [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#positive_ground_controllers|negative ground]].
 The BN controllers use the same comms setup as the A series above.  Some users have reported sluggish PPT under changing conditions.
 ==== eTracer BND series ====
 This 150v, "negative ground" controller looks like a BN with an inset display module.
 Comms are by RS232, CAN BUS and Ethernet.
 The eTracer is also sold as the Renogy Commander.
 [[http://www.epsolarpv.com/en/uploads/news/201311/1383794723784755.pdf|manual]] (pdf)
 ==== Triron series ====
 {{ http://www.epsolarpv.com/en/uploads/news/201708/1503388440391804.jpg}}
 The Triron is also sold as the Renogy Rover, which can be programmed using the [[https://www.renogy.com/rover-20-amp-mppt-solar-charge-controller/#tab_prd-downloads|free software]].
 ==== SPP programmers ====
 {{https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/ODUwWDg1MA==/z/3eIAAOSw9EZZi~Dl/$_58.JPG?200 }}
 The SPP-01 and -02 appear to be devices that can be used to backup or configure Tracers in the field.  They are largely undocumented.
 ==== MT-50 display ====
 {{ https://us.v-cdn.net/6024911/uploads/editor/l6/v53xktbye01p.jpg?150}}  The MT-50 display is not a meter //per se//.  It is a display for controller information and an interface by which configuration changes can be made.
 The **default screen** shows input from panel (volts and amps), output to battery (volts and amps), and output to LOAD (volts and amps).
 The LOAD icon (light bulb) has rays around it **when the load circuit is on**;  this does not mean there is a load present.
+==== wireless modules ====
+{{ http://img.mousetrap.net/boondocking/Screenshot_20191004-112248.jpg?125}}Epever makes [[https://amzn.to/2pJmrjs|bluetooth]] and [[https://amzn.to/31UbKsD|wifi]] modules that plug in to the same port the MT-50 uses.  This allows the [[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mdtit.PhoneInvert|free smartphone app]] to connect to the controller over bt/wifi for configuration and display. Pic to the right is from secessus' rig.
+[[https://amzn.to/2noYIED|Renogy rebadges the modules]] for their [rebadged] controllers.
+----
+Renogy
 ===== Eco-worthy =====
 [[http://amzn.to/2znDiMi|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51NrvP7ovWL._AC_US218_.jpg}}]] The Eco-worth was one of the first low-priced true MPPT controllers on the market.
 Eco-worthy refers to three stage charging as "impulse, bulk, and float".
 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWAa7dmn98|Youtube review: eBay MPPT Solar Charge Controller Review - 12v Solar Shed]].
 ----
 ===== MPPT boosting controllers =====
-{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51n1AlgRMWL._AC_US160_.jpg?100}}These little 10A controllers are indeed MPPT, but of limited use for RVers.  They are strictly "boosting" (upconverting) controllers instead of the usual downconverting controllers.  This means they could be used to charge a 24v bank from 12v panels.
+{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51n1AlgRMWL._AC_US160_.jpg?100}}The [[https://amzn.to/35e0KIM|mpt-7210a 10A controllers]] are indeed MPPT, but of limited use for RVers.  They are strictly "boosting" (upconverting) controllers instead of the usual downconverting controllers.  This means they could be used to charge a 24v bank from 12v panels.  Or, for example, a 48v ebike from 12v portable panels.
 [This company needs to make a normal MPPT at this price point!  -- secessus]
 ----
 ===== fake MPPT units =====
 The following units are "fake" in the sense that they do not do MPPT. Some are PWM, some are shunt.  This doesn't mean they won't work but it does mean they are marketed incorrectly.  Adjust your willingness to pay based on actual function.
 ==== CPT/CPY ====
 === CPT-LA10 ===
 [[http://amzn.to/2iSeyFc|{{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51t1rrF7RjL._AC_US218_.jpg?75 }}]]The CPT is a non-adjustable 10A controller with claimed 100v input.
 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z5r3Yo6fmQ&t=335s|Adam Welch tested]] to 40+ voltage.  Vabs appeared to be 14.7v and Vfloat appeared to be 13.5v, although it could be a [[electrical:12v:charging#charge-and-stop|charge-and-stop]] unit that happened to rest at 13.5v.
 [[http://www.dkvolt.dk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Laderegulator-MPPT-10A-CPT.pdf|CPT manual]]
 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z5r3Yo6fmQ|Youtube review: Another Cheap MPPT Charge Controller - CPT-LA10 - 12v Solar Shed]]
 === CPY-2410 ===
 [[http://amzn.to/2ykBGTz|{{ https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TvjTt53sL._AC_US160_.jpg?75}}]]
 Note:  while early versions (1.6) were reported to do actual MPPT, later versions (2.3) are reported to be dumbed down.   The later versions still do DC-DC conversion but do not track powerpoints;  they run the panels about 2v higher than battery voltage.  See the comments on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxy5JBUuFaQ|this test video]] and [[https://boondockplan.wordpress.com/tag/cpy-2410/|these blog posts]].
 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05IcvuI7kJ8|Youtube review: UEIUA Cheap MPPT Solar Charge Controller - 12v Solar Shed]]
 === CPS-2410 ===
 {{https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/m/mPzETvhXBeG1692y3lhZU0g/s-l225.jpg?75 }}The CPS appears to be the new/dumb CPY in a different case with a much bigger heatsink.
 ----
 ==== M10 / T10 ====
 {{ https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/m/m-rs8akWzdfagSa6U4VuzjA/s-l225.jpg?75}}The M and T series are adjustable shunt controllers.
 ----
 ==== CMT ====
 {{https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/m/mxY3693tLp_jPH7AC-SWMVQ/s-l225.jpg?75 }}CMT controllers are non-adjustable PWM of decent quality, sometimes sold by unscrupulous or uninformed sellers as MPPT.
 ----
 ==== waterproof ====
 {{ https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/m/mSN0FmxrTlt1EEGuRJFS-eg/s-l225.jpg?75}}The waterproof controllers are pwm at best. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lnShSebU4o|Confirmed by Adam Welch]].

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