Can coach batteries be monitored by a MPPT solar controller not connected to panels?

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by TowPro

babock, I nicely asked for documentation evidence so I could educate myself on this but all you provided was hearsay.

Here is a pretty good whitepaper from Victron about MPPT vs PWM. From what I can tell they don't make PWM controllers. a lot depends on why you want solar and what you intend to depend on it to do.

I use it to maintain a 100% SOC when I cannot connect to the grid and to top off the system after generator runs in the morning and evening. You can't get to 100% with a generator.

Enjoy.

[DavidBo]

I too am on a budget, buy wanted to keep accurate track of my new AGM deep cycle battery. Solar is in my future, but I got one of these for now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6O76Okmt08

Super cheap on Amazon, just be sure to get the 100 or 350 amp version.

https://www.amazon.com/AiLi-Battery-...s%2C235&sr=8-7

The only hard part of the installation was that the cable was way too short so I had to fabricate my own, but it was plenty doable.





I just spent a long weekend of boondocking with limited generator use, this monitor was very helpful in keeping track of my battery's condition.
I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but it's worth a look.

[boondocking]

ScottBrownstein, that is a excellent white paper by Victron on the controllers.

It looks like Victron is one among the few dealers that speak the truth about the MPPT controllers. Not like most of them with their 30% hype.

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by boondocking

ScottBrownstein, that is a excellent white paper by Victron on the controllers...

i was kinda surprised as well, but then Victron has far bigger fish to fry with their larger equipment. MPPT vs PWM is pretty simple and they both have their applications. I like the fact that I don't care about voltage drop coming down from my panels and the battery feed is remote sensed from the Trimetric. I can never get 14.7 out of my big PD converter but solar hits that and more when the sun is out.

Beware of anyone who believes that one or the other is the ONLY answer to everyone's application....

[babock]

Can you enter Peukerts constant? If not, it won't be accurate with large loads like inverters.

Originally Posted by DavidBo

I too am on a budget, buy wanted to keep accurate track of my new AGM deep cycle battery. Solar is in my future, but I got one of these for now.

Super cheap on Amazon, just be sure to get the 100 or 350 amp version.

https://www.amazon.com/AiLi-Battery-...s%2C235&sr=8-7

The only hard part of the installation was that the cable was way too short so I had to fabricate my own, but it was plenty doable.





I just spent a long weekend of boondocking with limited generator use, this monitor was very helpful in keeping track of my battery's condition.
I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but it's worth a look.

[babock]

As noted in the white paper, efficiency depends on the operating voltage of the panels. If you stick with the 100w panels that renogy makes, it will be 19%. If you go with larger panels, the difference is more.

Scott, since you like data logging and Raspberry Pi, Victron has open source Linux OS for their systems. Very easy to log data, attach LCD screens to the controller...

[babock]

I am curious...does the trimetric monitor even have an entry for Peukerts constant? Their online manuals are so poor, hard to find that info, especially on my phone.