Sunsaver MPPT and 'too many' panels

[DamonHD]

Hi,

Just want to double-check.  I may have an opportunity to pick up a mono panel at a decent price tomorrow to help prop up generation levels which have been abysmal already over the last couple of weeks and were insufficient mid-winter last year to keep my server off-grid in the darkest months.

Now it seems to me that adding extra panels to the Sunsaver controller input shouldn't release the magic smoke since its output is current limited to 15A: I assume that the extra 'available' power may simply be ignored in effect.  The manual is a little coy on the issue.

I nominally have a little short of 200W on my 12V system currently, and I might add another 60W or 80W panel (especially given a transport strike tomorrow I may be limited by weight).

Now in summer I expect to take off about 60W anyway, though I might not, which would take me to say 260W.  Actually the panels don't all face the same way even, but am I nominally safe anyway even if everything faced bright sunshine?

Ghurd or any other owner of the Morningstar MPPT?

Rgds

Damon

[ghurd]

I talked to them about that.  It was a bit unclear to me too, even after.
Yes, my understanding is the extra power is basically ignored.
G-

[DamonHD]

Thanks!

Now we have to see if my other half is prepared to ignore the extra panel too...  B^>

Rgds

Damon

[dnix71]

You could do like I am now. I have 310 watts nominal on the BZ MPPT and 200 straight into the batteries with a blocking diode. If the total is too much, the BZ will back off, since it has a float setting. BZ's manual doesn't exactly say what will happen if you overload it, but some sites selling it say it will boost over the nominal rating by quite a bit for up to 10 minutes. My guess is the maker is just playing it safe on ratings for the sake of insurance. If you overload it, it's "not their fault."

The BZ comes fused on the battery side with a 20 amp fuse that obviously cannot handle the 35 amp boost the controller is supposed to be capable of.

http://www.thesolarstore.com/charge-controllers-mppt-charge-controllers-products-mppt250hv-mppt-charge-controller-watts-p-63.html

[Tritium]

Thanks!

Now we have to see if my other half is prepared to ignore the extra panel too...  B^>

Rgds

Damon

In my 30 years of experience with "the other half" I would bet your chances are WAY better with the sunsaver. 

Thurmond

[DamonHD]

Shhhhhhhh!