Hi Flux
As far as I can tell, the GCR 3000M is a BP Solar-rebranded Steca model. It doesn't have a diversion control feature which is why I'm planning to obtain a diversion load controller for the windgen (which also doesn't have one built in).
Do you know of any MPPT-type solar regulator/controllers which have an integrated diversion load controller and/or windgen input provision? I know Morningstar's TriStar can do it, but that model is PWM like my BP Solar/Steca, not MPPT and for the price I could add another one-and-a-half solar panels! :-)
Re your reply to my original question, I'm a little confused. Should I connect the *unregulated* output of the panels and windgen directly to the batteries? Or did you mean connect them via a new regulator? Your wording left me scratching my head a little, sorry.
The vilified Air-X windgen has an integrated regulator, but it doesn't have a diversion load control facility, and I would rather let the windgen operate constantly, diverting the excess energy to a diversion load, rather than let the internal reg simply stop the turbine when it senses that the battery is fully charged.
The GCR 3000M solar controller can be switched between State of Charge mode to Voltage Control mode. If it's in the latter, can I use the existing system correctly and safely, if the windgen output is connected directly to the battery bank (via an external diversion control regulator)?
My original concern was that having the windgen's output feeding directly into the battery bank (bypassing the PV reg) would cause the PV reg to not function correctly. I'd hoped that by switching it from SOC to Voltage Control mode I could avoid the problems, but wasn't sure if the solar reg would become "confused" or even damaged when it sensed the additional new input from the windgen.
Thanks for your reply and any further answers would be greatly appreciated! :-)
Blah