MPPT vs DSSR20 Solar Challenge | Do we really need an MPPT Solar Charge Controller?

[@electrodacus]

Good video. The results are as expected. The reason why DSSR20 was better in low light is because the MPPT (DC-DC converter) has some significant self consumption and the reason the MPPT with two panels in series was able to have higher peaks in full sun is because the panels got hot so max power point voltage for those particular panels dropped below the battery voltage but with the two panels in series MPPT was not affected by that. I think you have older 250W panels the newer 280 to 320W 60cell panels will have high enough max power point voltage even at noon when panels are hotter but as you mentioned in summer when panels are hot there is also plenty of excess energy so not relevant. On the USB download side. You need to enable the UART and set the serial speed that you prefer say 115200 and also set the update rate (I think default is at 30 seconds but you can set as low as 1 second) then your computer will see the USB port as a serial adapter so you connect any serial logger program to capture the live compressed data or you can download the internal stored data by going to Internal-datalog nenu select the month you want to download have the computer serial loger ready to receive the data and then push start data download on the SBMS0 The SBMS can store one full year of data at a fixed 2 minutes logging interval so that is what you will downloading. I wish winter looked like that here :)

[@MrPinhead42]

Thanks for the explanation, Dacian! I'm looking forward to become your customer, not only your fan!

[@chriscord6524]

No joke man, I’m waiting for your site to say I can add to cart. I looked at the pics you posted on the forum of the revision, looks great. I’ll take two of each with WiFi please. You’ve inspired me. Thank you

[@BusedAsNZ]

Thanks Dacian, will give it another try. Of course I don't really need the logs, just would be fun to play with I guess

[@jasonl8648]

@@chriscord6524 They are available in two days.

[@chriscord6524]

Jason L I had just seen his comment in the forum today. I’m ready, add to cart..add to cart..add to cart

[@guyburns6796]

Good video. I've spent several days researching MPPT controllers for a very small application - recharging Makita 18volt batteries in the bush (via a 20W solar panel and a 12v 9AH battery as an intermediate). About 10-20 Watts and one or two amps is all I need to keep the 12V battery charged. MPPT was a good learning experience, but that's all it has turned out to be. I'll be implementing a simple method, similar to yours. Just a disconnect relay between the panel and the 12v battery, and a separate charge circuit for the 18 volt batteries.

[@gordonb2011]

Thanks Darren! The latest addition to our caravan is the awesome Bused_as mug :) that arrived today :)

[@paulbarrette2557]

Good job! Less money for the Charger controller, less money for the cabling... Sometime fancy stuff is just.... well.... fancy

[@MrPinhead42]

Thx from the other side of the globe to my fave clothed electro-kiwi!

[@BusedAsNZ]

Cheers

[@BischesseHunting]

still have my dssr20 here and didnt Connect them yet. very good Video and thank you so much for your Support of dacian. he is no. 1. victron should give him a contract

[@joeboxter3635]

I'm impressed with EP, they are solid. But big. I'm considering DSSR20 or the Blue company. Worried about Blue companies support. Bought one from "authorized dealer" and they have been useless in helping trouble shoot problems or setup of features the Blue claims they offer. Thus making those advantages moot. Price of DSSR20 is great. Price of EP is good. Blue is pretty high given the unusable features and additional complexity of bringing in rest of their ecosystem to get those features.

[@NoelBarlau]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@BusedAsNZ]

Cheers

[@brad4908]

Any opinion on the replacement batteries? I’m planning a drive up to Auckland later this week to swap them.

[@BusedAsNZ]

Woohoo Road Trip... Yeah not great but much better than the old ones. Each cell is about half a kilo heavier, and taller and fatter so I have had to redesign everything around it. Still pretty low grade but certainly have better capacity

[@brad4908]

Bused_As NZ so worth getting the replacements? I can still ask for a refund. I guess the question is, which other storage option is better at this price? 620ah, even if it’s only giving 2/3 capacity is still pretty good value at $2k. As long as they last.

[@BusedAsNZ]

Hard call huh. Haven't seen near that much battery for that price. I was actually prepared to keep the originals, I had after all pulled them apart and voided the warranty. They were very disappointing yet still looked pretty good value. And by that logic, these are way better. I bought very cheap batteries, some risk of course but saved thousands, I'm pretty happy with the replacements. As for how long they last.... ask me later :)

[@TheDavid69dd]

How did the solar battery management system go with the blue cells you used?

[@BusedAsNZ]

Great. I have since replaced those cells with slightly bigger ones but the Electrodacus management system it is good and will work with a huge range of cells

[@TheDavid69dd]

@@BusedAsNZ have you worked or looked into the 500ah Sinopoly bat's? I have these and am unsure of it potential. Or do you know anyone I can bounce off for information?

[@BusedAsNZ]

Oh yes, bit out of my budget, and I think a bit physically big for bouncing around in the back of my bus. My original dream cell was the sinopoly 300Ah, I'm not sure the 500 existed back then. Sorry I don't know much about them specifically but would expect their "potential" to be pretty impressive. To a huge extent though bigger is just bigger, the logic of how they work is the same

[@GoatZilla]

10 minute rule.

[@BusedAsNZ]

Yeah probably should be the 10 month rule