Author Topic: BZ Controller failed after 3 days  (Read 2204 times)

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dnix71

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BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« on: June 10, 2009, 06:08:22 PM »
I'm going to contact BZ directly about this because whoever was assembling this should have stopped when they saw it didn't fit. The model is MPPT250HV


The plastic standoff on the power side is about 1/4 inch too short because of the main relay. The assembler tightened down the mount screw anyway and warped the board badly in two directions.


The controller worked correctly for 3 days. This morning it wouldn't come on. There is no display and the float LED is on.


Pix are here.  http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/dnix71/IMG_0045.jpg


http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj62/dnix71/IMG_0046.jpg


They are too large to properly show on this forum directly.


I bought the controller from Discount Solar in Exeter, CA.

« Last Edit: June 10, 2009, 06:08:22 PM by (unknown) »

ghurd

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2009, 01:39:34 PM »
Not trying to sound grumpy.

Might want to see if the retailer will exchange it for an altogether different brand.


Quick Google search of the board shows less than a majority happy with the companies products.

Couple of the first hit highlights,

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/9/12/42428/3501

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2006/9/21/1710/15118

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/9/12/42428/3501

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/10/5/35027/7731

http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2007/12/3/17120/6524

http://www.fieldlines.com/poll/1165800663_pkMNuLup


I do not recall details about your system, but may check out the SunSaver MPPT for a smaller system, and the Outback for larger.

G-

« Last Edit: June 10, 2009, 01:39:34 PM by ghurd »
www.ghurd.info<<<-----Information on my Controller

s4w2099

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2009, 04:23:53 PM »
Hi dnix71,

I have a single MPPT controller left that works up to 24V batteries and up to 100V input voltage.




If you are not happy with yours and can get your money back I can sell it to you for 140Bucks. If you are not happy with it I would just refund your money.




Contact me by email if interested. Details are at: http://www.s4wsbox.com/

Easy

« Last Edit: June 10, 2009, 04:23:53 PM by s4w2099 »

dnix71

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2009, 08:55:04 PM »
The float is adjustable and temp compensated, at least for the model I got. I have a simple 12v setup. The days it worked the float was 13.8, which is about right since it's been warm lately.


I got it mainly for the price ($127 incl shipping). The HV version (100v max input) was only $10 more than the 50v version. I wouldn't buy the 50v version. It makes no sense. The Voc on even my cheap HF panels is 23.6. Two in series on a cold day would probably go over the limit.


The Outback C60 ($175) is not an MPPT, the Morningstar 15MPPT is about twice as much money as the BZ and rated 50 watts less input. If the BZ works, it's worth what I paid for it, but I couldn't justify $250 now for the small setup I have. The Outback MPPT's are $500 and up. If money was no object, I would definitely have bought an Outback MPPT.


The Blue Sky 2512ix with a temp probe is about double the BZ price, but comparable in features. The circuit boards look pretty much alike, too.


Any controller rated 250 watts would greatly simplify my wiring, which was the main reason for getting it. I have 5 separate HF PDUs now. Any decent charge controller rated 250 watts would cost almost as much as the BZ, so the mppt part is just a nice extra.

« Last Edit: June 10, 2009, 08:55:04 PM by dnix71 »

Volvo farmer

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2009, 11:05:54 PM »
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten" - Benjamin Franklin
« Last Edit: June 10, 2009, 11:05:54 PM by Volvo farmer »
Less bark, more wag.

dnix71

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2009, 06:02:03 PM »
Discount Solar is sending back their stock of 250 and 250HV's to BZ to be reworked.

They all look alike, the main relay is taller than the standoff on that corner.


I had a friend who supervised assembly in Sony's tv plant in Boca many years ago. She had to rework a couple of hundred boards once because someone bought soldering irons that had tip voltages just a little bit too high and ruined a batch of MOSFETs. Stuff happens.

« Last Edit: June 11, 2009, 06:02:03 PM by dnix71 »

dnix71

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Re: BZ Controller failed after 3 days
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2009, 04:09:23 PM »
I got the reworked controller back today. It works correctly. The rework doesn't cycle endlessly like the orginal, either. They doubled up on the standoffs as a fix. It's late in the day with the some panels shaded/hooked up 12v parallel. I'll experiment with doubling up on panels later. The front panel says 250 but the stickers on the back say 250HV.







« Last Edit: June 18, 2009, 04:09:23 PM by dnix71 »