Inexpensive single panel controller for LifePo4

Hello,

I am working on small solar system for cameras and network equipment. I have a Victron 75/10 and it works well but I wanted to see if there are other controller options I may have missed. Below are my criteria.

• Small to fit a NEMA enclosure with battery
• LifePo4 compatible
• Load output control
• Serial interface for remote control & data

More background info:
Each camera will uses its own 50-160w solar panel and a LifePo4 battery. This will power a Ubiquiti Nanostation 5AC and a Dahua camera. I tried many configurations to get power usage as low as possible. Right now the complete setup averages 5.2Wh according to my watt meter. To get it this low the Dahua is powered via its 12v connection instead of PoE. Dahua says the 12v is +- 30% so running direct from battery is well within range. The Nanostation can be powered via 24v passive PoE or 36-48v Passive PoE. Both ranges use different PoE standards and therefore different wire pairs. The most efficient I have tested is the 24v using a $13 24v Supernight boost converter from amazon. To get dat remotely I am testing serial over tcp/ip.

Have you looked at their native sunmax products?

Yes however they don't support LifePo4. There is also the power consumption and cost that turns me away. It does have a nice interface and a built in switch is also nice. To avoid using a switch I am able to connect the Nanostation direct to the camera via network cable. The cable has power spliced in for the Nanostation.

I've been through a few cheaper off-brand charge controllers, then, like you, got a Victron. I'm sure there are other comparable controllers out there, but Victron is definitely top tier, and I would stick with that. They also have models that connect to wi-fi and can be monitored and controlled remotely, which sounds like it would be nice for your setup.