PWM or MPPT.

[threedogs]

Is bluetooth really required Im old school and find it hard to
figure out how it can be helpfull. Been charging my battery
now for over 25 years without it ???

[GQtdauto]

Technology can be great but where do you draw the line , I do like the concept of it but really I suppose it's just another gadget .
And yeah are you going to be on the phone all day checking or do what we normally do , it won't move the panels for you to chase the sun and if you don't know you should be I'm not sure you would be smart enough to use the app or understand it.
My volt and amp gauges give me a good idea what's going and half the time I can't find my phone .

[sooty_10]

Is bluetooth really required Im old school and find it hard to
figure out how it can be helpfull. Been charging my battery
now for over 25 years without it ???

I have my regulator hidden away from sight. I use the app inside the house to check the battery status while the patrol is sitting idle from time to time.

Probably wouldn't use it while out camping so much.

Just had the option for it so figured pretty nifty. You can also change all the regulator settings using the phone app on the fly and read any errors (nil recorded so far).

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[Cuppa]

And it's cheaper than a battery monitor. IMO it is not essential but is good to have. Above all the best way to look after your batteries is familiarity with what is normal for your system. The app (or a battery monitor, a volt meter or even a regularly used multimeter) are all helpful tools to monitor & become familiar. Then when something happens outside of the 'norm' you have prior warning whilst you still have choices to make, rather than discovering things are awry once your battery has karked it. I reckon that app looked like a nice neat way to do things. If you get up for a leak early each morning, before the sun comes up have a quick look at the app then, & same in the evening before bed. Familiarity is the key.

[GQtdauto]

Basically what I do with the meters and gauges then double check with the multimeter , I do like this MPPT setup from Victron but can't justify the expense just yet , it will be on the shopping list for the future though .

[BigRAWesty]

So a 200W pannel, 70 15 blue charger and pannel mounts will be on order today..
Great way to drop $350!!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

[BigRAWesty]

So the VE controller arrived.
First thoughts..
Solid as.
Small compact.
Teminals only just fit 6mm cable into it..
My only dislike atm is the small screws to tighten terminals use a flat blade screw driver.
So its a bit difficult to get tight..
But shes jump into gear.
I didnt go the wifi dongle as its $65 thats not critical atm so its just doing its thing..

[GQtdauto]

So the VE controller arrived.
First thoughts..
Solid as.
Small compact.
Teminals only just fit 6mm cable into it..
My only dislike atm is the small screws to tighten terminals use a flat blade screw driver.
So its a bit difficult to get tight..
But shes jump into gear.
I didnt go the wifi dongle as its $65 thats not critical atm so its just doing its thing..

One less thing to break Westy.

[BigRAWesty]

One less thing to break Westy.

Thats true but i do like to track input and output.
If its an over cast day and output is overtaking then i can top it up with second pannel

[the evil twin]

So the VE controller arrived.
First thoughts..
Solid as.
Small compact.
Teminals only just fit 6mm cable into it..
My only dislike atm is the small screws to tighten terminals use a flat blade screw driver.
So its a bit difficult to get tight..
But shes jump into gear.
I didnt go the wifi dongle as its $65 thats not critical atm so its just doing its thing..

Hiya cobber...

I have about 10 of the Victron 75/15s deployed at various sites.
Great bit of kit (but I do try and use the Aussie made Intervolts where I can but they are bulky).
Only bit I don't like is the jumper that sets the low voltage cutoff sticks out a tad more than it should IMHO.

FWIW the best way for novices to look at MPPT versus PWM regs is as follows (all other things being equal etc);

PWM is a current limiter and the max output is the supplied current IE it discards the 'extra' volts produced by the panel (12 volt panels are capable of running at up too 17 to 20)
EG 18 volts and 5 amps in (100 watt panel) gives you 12 volts and 5 amps out or approx 60 watts (max)

MPPT are like DC/DC charger except rather than compensate for voltage losses like Redarcs etc they make up for efficiency losses and step up the current output IE they use the full voltage output and produce more current (at less volts) than Panel supplies.
EG 18 volts and 5 amps (100 Watt panel) in gives you 12 volts and 7.5 amps out or approx 90 watts (max)

Obviously you don't get that out of either scenario in real life as i just used the numbers to demo the principle

That means you can use any sort of panel for your Victron, 12 volt, 24 volt or even a house jobbie