controlling more than 60amps

[coldspot]

Kevin-

i have only been using mine on and off a couple weeks, (mainly OFF, for lack of real need and slow control box build, and only having a Ametek 30 VDC up).

I don't have a "real" opinion of it yet, but unit is well built, BACKED for 5 years!!!

I only saw a price of about $145.00 USD, I got mine real cheap off of E_Bay. I still need to find out how much for the xtra Amps units, (if  you, please tell!).

It's manual is great shows how to wire in single/multi banks, wind/solar combo's, just about what anybody has ever asked them it seems.

I'll be posting more about it as I go in my diary.

[blueEnergy]

A word about the digital monitor for the Morningstar (and same goes for Xantrex C series) - The monitor can only read what is passing through the controller, so in diversion mode the digital screen would be displaying info about the dump load, and nothing about what is going from the turbine to the batteries.  

Regarding the RS232 connection to a computer, we've had trouble also.  I just got an email from tech support telling us to make sure the serial cable is not a null modem cable.  There is a somewhat convoluted pin-out on the morningstar website for the cable.

bE

[coldspot]

Kevin-

I found you a price

"NC25A/12" = $95.00

"12V-60A-NC Contactor" = $94.00

"http://www.solarseller.com/flexcharge_wind_hydro_solar_charge_controllers.htm"

[Frank06]

Hi Propwash,

I didn't feel the DRO was worth the extra bucks and didn't spring for it.  I just identified that the remote temp sensor is defective (it never did seem to work right) but the rest of the controller seems to work great.  I'm running a 45 amp load through a 60 amp rated controller even though the TS45 is rated full-load.  I prefer not to overstress this stuff.

Not sure about the communication issues... I've done a lot of RS232 stuff in past lives but decided it wasn't worth it to pursue.  You need a real thin DB9 connector to get onto their plug and when I finally got one to physically plug in, couldn't communicate.  I found a USB/DB9 connector to try on another computer but it didn't work either.  Maybe the cables are configured as null-modem types or something.  If I could find a kit with individual pins I could play with the pin-out but I gave up.

The controller seemed to divert at a higher voltage than I wanted - it works fine since I've disconnected the RTS.  Our oil bill is noticeably lower since I started preheating domestic hot water.

Re total cost, I think the MX60 is twice the cost of any of these but it's a PV controller i.e. does max power point tracking.  Outback's been working on a wind version of this controller for quite some time but haven't released anything yet.  I suspect this will be a game-changer as it will allow a turbine to work at higher voltages with presumably lower stator losses.

If anyone else makes a MPPT controller compatible with wind or hydro turbines I'd be interested in learning about it.

Frank

[alcul8r]

Supposed to be something called 'Windy Boy' out there made by same people as Sunny Boy, but I know nothing about it.

[Propwash]

I found this information on the Windy Boy. This one is a grid tie inverter.

http://www.windandsun.demon.co.uk/windy_boy.htm

[ffoegw]

http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/163/p/1/pt/15/product.asp

regards

Geoff

[BigBreaker]

The ATMEL AVR series has these capabilities and very developed community.  I'd definitely recommend everyone take a look.

[newkidontheblock]

a controller only needs to deliver enough amps for a slave relay that will handle the current that you need.