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Charge Controllers
Maximum Power
Point Tracking
Many people have asked about power point tracking and whether it has any real advantages. Maximum Power Point Tracking
(MPPT) converts the difference between a solar modules rated voltage, (usually 17 volts) and a battery banks charging voltage (up to 14.7 volts) into usable charging current. Often claims are made for up to a 30% increase in charging current. This
gain, however, is possible under a very limited set of conditions. The "extra" module voltage is there for a reason:
to allow for real world use of the solar module,
i.e. the voltage drop caused by the array wiring and other components, including the charge controller, between the solar array and batteries. Also, high ambient temperatures cause the solar module to drop in voltage further reducing this "extra" voltage
Having said that, there are times when the voltage difference will be high enough to provide extra current to a battery bank utilizing this type of charge controller. Cold weather comes to mind, as well as low battery bank voltage. Under these conditions, it can be possible to get as much as
10% to 30% more current from your solar modules.
A more important use for the Solar Converter charge controllers featured on this page, is the ability to use higher voltage arrays to charge lesser voltage battery banks,
ie. a 48 volt array can charge a 24 volt bank. The higher voltage means less current through the array wires and therefore less voltage drop. Longer distances can now be done using smaller wire sizes. This is a very important feature of these particular charge controllers.
Blue Sky Energy
Maximum Power Point Tracking
Charge Controllers
The Solar Boost charge controllers feature maximum power point tracking (MPPT) which allows all available energy to be extracted from the solar array. (See the side bar for a more detailed description of
MPPT). The Solar Boost 50 and 6024 work on 12 and 24 volt systems and the 3048 on 24 and 48 volt systems. The Solar Boost 50
and 6024 allow a 24 volt array to charge both a 12 or 24 volt battery bank. The 3048 allows a 48 volt array to charge both a 48 and 24 volt battery bank.
The 30, 50 and 60 denotes the amp rating of the controller.
l 3 Year Warranty
l Three Stage Controller: Bulk, Adsorption and Float
l Manual Equalize Button
l Digital Display Option showing Battery Bank Voltage,
Array Current and Battery Charging Current
l ETL Listed; CSA Certified
l Reverse Polarity Protected for Battery and Array
Terminals
l Optional battery temperature Sensor with 20' Cable
Outback Charge Controller
735-060 Outback MX60 12V to 60V
$649
The Outback MX60 is a
unique maximum power point tracking charge controller in that it can control a 60V array and feed the power into a 12V battery bank. Of course it can feed 48V, 24V or 12V into a 12V battery bank as well or from 60V to 24V into a 24V battery bank...you get the idea!
This ability to work on a 12V to 60V battery bank with an open circuit voltage of up to 120V (nominal 60V array) allows your system to achieve its greatest possible performance. (See the sidebar for a description of Maximum Power Point tracking.)
The MX60 has a backlit LCD display which monitors system performance and is also used for programming system operation.
l Output Current:
60A
l Nominal Battery Voltage:
12,24,48,60 VDC
l PV Open Circuit Voltage:
120V Rated
l Charging regulation Methods:
Bulk, Absorption, Float, Silent and Equalization
l Voltage Regulation Setpoints:
13 to 80 VDC
l Equalization Voltage:
Up to 5V above Absorption
l Digital Display:
4 Line, 80 character
l Warranty:
2 Years Parts and Labor
l Dimensions:
14.5" H x 5.75" W x 5.75" D
Morningstar Charge Controllers
We now carry the full line of Morning
Star charge controllers: the TriStar, ProStar, SunSaver and SunGuard
charge controllers as well as the SunLight lighting control. The
TriStar will fit into any of our pre-wired power panels or charge
controller panels. It is fully protected (short circuit,, reverse
polarity and overload) and is rated at 45 or 60 amps at 12 to 48 volts.
Both remote and attached meters are available for the TriStar. The
ProStar and Sunsaver offer low battery disconnect from 6 to 30 amps and
12 to 48 volts. The SunGuard is an inexpensive 4.5A 12V controller and
the SunLight Controller allows 10 lighting options at 10 to 20A at 12
or 24V. Morningstar has many more options in their charge controller
line than we have room to list here. Please call for more details about
this versatile line of charge controllers.
 Note: The next page contains Charge Controller Kits.
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