Currently have a 24v LifePO4 battery being charged/used by a MPPT charger/inverter combo (MPP solar HV-LV2424 (green)). I currently have it set to charge to 28.5v. I was thinking for adding anther small array on a little PWM charger (says it auto selects 12v/24v) to the same battery. (Main reasoning of using a PWM rather than adding in with the LV2424 is a difference in voltage/PV panel specs) Any foreseen issues here?
MPPT and PWM to same battery?
- Thread starter mmm33732
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This is the one I have that I would use if I were to go forward with this. Doubt it's a "good" one. https://www.amazon.com/Topsolar-20A...sprefix=topsolar+conrolle,aps,102&sr=8-3&th=1
Tomthumb62
Solar Wizard
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By price alone, that’s probably better than the $8 ones. But even the $8 are useable, just not great.
Except I don’t know how well pwm and MPPT play together, but AFAIK, it doesn’t matter. Charge is charge, more or less.
Rednecktek
Solar Wizard
I've done it, it works fine. About the worst thing that happens is the PWM stops charging .1v sooner than the MPPT. Not a big deal.
For reference on that particular system I have an old 208w house panel talking to an older PowMr 60a MPPT and a Bouge RV 100w panel on an old Harbor Freight PWM controller both connected to the same AGM battery. When the sun is in the right spot and the trees have been trimmed the meter showed only a .1v difference between the battery terminals on each one and 9a on the MPPT and 4a on the PWM so both were as cranked up as they could be.
For reference on that particular system I have an old 208w house panel talking to an older PowMr 60a MPPT and a Bouge RV 100w panel on an old Harbor Freight PWM controller both connected to the same AGM battery. When the sun is in the right spot and the trees have been trimmed the meter showed only a .1v difference between the battery terminals on each one and 9a on the MPPT and 4a on the PWM so both were as cranked up as they could be.
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Tomthumb62
Solar Wizard
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I recently went through this, but with a cheap MPPT controller. Controller had a default setting to cut off high voltage at 17v. Setting was hidden from view, until I bought the Bluetooth dongle and used their older app. Fortunately the BMS protected against these voltage spikes but repeated spikes can damage the BMS and ruin the battery.
So in other words, before buying anything, especially cheap, do your research to suss out known problems. Or just save some headaches and buy more quality gear from the start.
TriStar - Morningstar Corporation
TriStar, Solar, charge controller, Morningstar Corporation
www.morningstarcorp.com
I have a couple of the older models. They work great as load diverters and can be found cheap/used.TriStar - Morningstar Corporation
TriStar, Solar, charge controller, Morningstar Corporation
Good quality too !
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