mppt and diversion in one unit ?

[Chuck]

I'm looking at upgrading my PV system and, wanting to have it all, was wanting to replace my t40/60 setup with a charge controller that would allow me to do both mppt and load diversion. Does anyone know of a charge controller (preferably 40+ amps) that will do this ? I had thought that the Outback mx60 did this but I appear to be mistaken.

Thanks

[robl]

The MX60 should do it and I thought I had mine working that way, diverting about 600W@240VAC from a Banki turbine via a solid state relay. However it appears that when there is no solar (dead of winter) the controller never leaves absorb. This might a bad setting on my part, but I'm out of ideas and thinking of using a Xantrex C40 to power the SSR next winter...

Regards

Rob

[Chuck]

hmm, I downloaded the manual and it says that it does have a diversion mode and shows how to program it. I'll have to study it some more. I do like the fact you can gang them up, but not sure how to do it with multiple power sources.

It says it'll handle up to 140vdc input. How are you doing this with 240vac ?  I'm a bit confused about your setup.

[robl]

I have a very long wire run so am using 240VAC/60HZ. I step it down to 80VAC at the battery shed and rectify it (Hammond 160 series toroid transformer/rectifier bridge/500mF,150VDC capacitor? can't remember).

It goes straight to the batteries through a 20A breaker. Then, in theory, the MX60 diverts it as needed to either a home-made baseboard or a 2K/120V element in a hot water heater.

The MX60 is set for diversion at 0.2V above absorb/float, no hysteris(sp?), no delay, no hold. It definitely does divert. I also have a separate load dump ahead of the rectifier to keep the AC voltage from the hydro plant under 260VAC under all load conditions.

Regards

Rob