MPPT controller recommendation

[MarkCX]

I’ll share ?
A huge amount of time that most other people would justifiably use doing far more useful and productive things!
For me it was primarily done as an intellectual exercise simply to see if I could. I like tinkering with stuff for the sake of it (Aspie geek).
As for maintenance, the code is pretty much bullet-proof and has been running continuously since completed 6 months ago without intervention.

 

[Lomax]

A huge amount of time that most other people would justifiably use doing far more useful and productive things!

Yep, that sounds about right. Everyone I show my boat's system say I should start selling it - but they don't understand the amount of troubleshooting, tweaking, fixing that goes into keeping it running. It's only really for people who, like @MarkCX (and myself), cannot not tinker with such things. That said, I think you can get really quite far by just putting OpenPlotter on a Pi and getting a couple of USB -> RS-232 adapters (for NMEA data from your instruments). A lot of nice functionality for relatively little work. Once you've got that running perhaps you'll want to take things further, like adding a security system, engine monitoring, autopilot, remote access...

 

[Laminar Flow]

I use one of these 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine
With one of these 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Second that; been doing its job reliably since 2017, 24/7.
I have the 40A version with 300W of solar.

 

[MarkCX]

I think you can get really quite far by just putting OpenPlotter on a Pi

Exactly. For a lot of people, especially those with an interest in these things and/or a limited budget, this is an ideal way to go to get the functionality. If less interested or have a larger budget, a range of off the shelf systems and MFDs will do the same. Horses for courses.

Some of us, however need projects for the cold winter months when less likely to be sailing, and the satisfaction that comes from putting something together one’s self, with the understanding that brings, is reward in itself.

 

[[3889]]

Had one of these on my last boat and replaced the PWM on my current boat with the same. Does exactly what's expected.
I'm sure Viktron are very good but perhaps not twice as good, as the price suggests.

 

[Mikedefieslife]

So far off the mark there.....Victron are very likely right at the very front of the field for embracing opensource. The VE direct protocol isn't secret in any way. A few milliseconds on google you could have found that.

Their bluetooth is secret though. Considering that the common practice is to have multiple controllers for each panel or set of panels, the that would lead to a lot of VE direct cables at £30. Also if you use the cable for data, you cannot then use it for remote on/off for a BMS or similar.

Victron used zinc coated screws on their terminals, I've seen some of these rust from sea air. You need to over spec the controllers, (which is the opposite of the usual accepted practice of over speccing the array), otherwise they begin to melt when operated at or near their limits. finally, the fuse on the controllers is in such a stupid place, you need to mount the controller overhead to have any chance of being able to remove it without having to dismount the unit.

I have 3 Victron controllers so far for my array.