Solar controller

[wmyers4u]

Dummy still learning here.

charge controllers should have from what I understand

input from panels
Output to bank
12 volt load output

Question:

Is their any kind of all in one charge controller ?

In my brain I would like one MPPT device that can take solar/shore/generator/alternator power and properly charge the house bank.

Does this exist or am I needing to find an inventor to filfill my charging fantasies?

 

[John61CT]

Some are designed for wind or solar, both at once is rare.

But some solar SCs accept generic input as long as its within volts and amps limits.

A DC-DC charger like Sterling's BB series is IMO the best practical way to go.

 

[jimindenver]

I am doing a review on a wind generator that comes with a hi bred wind/solar controller.

 

[Trebor English]

You can get parts to do every piece.  A VSR, voltage sensitive relay, can connect to the alternator.  A battery charger can charge from 120 volts.  A transfer switch can automatically use generator or shore power.  

These pieces are completely different from each other.  There is no small tweak that can add transfer switch functionality to a solar charge controller.  The location of the VSR is important and shouldn't be located according to where the shore power inlet is located.  There are mutually exclusive requirements.  

I think you are looking for universal transport.  One device that is military boot, marathon running shoe, car, bus, bicycle, and ferry boat all in one.

 

[John61CT]

The one "central regulator" function that really would be ideal is directing all charge sources to hold Absorb voltage until the bank shunt indicates trailing current has dropped to endAmps level, and the giving the option of Float charging or "just stop", ideally diverting to a separate bus to carry loads.

The newer Magnum remotes now do this off their BM for mains charging, and a few solar vendors also, but no mainstream alt VRs do.

Crazy that monitor / control logic needs to be replicated independently for each.

 

[DLTooley]

The newer Magnum remotes now do this off their BM for mains charging, and a few solar vendors also, but no mainstream alt VRs do.

I don't understand these abbreviations.  I assume Magnum is a brand name?

Piecing stuff together has, at a minimum, wiring failure risk from the complexity. FUSE.

I am surprised that the RV World hasn't come up with this - somebody's got a vested interest in the confusion.

 

[highdesertranger]

remember if any one function on a all in one unit fails, then the whole unit must be replaced. with separate units the failed device can be replaced at great savings. the wiring is not that complicated. highdesertranger

 

[John61CT]

BM= battery monitor, measures Volts, Amps and AH in and out to estimate bank State of Charge (SoC)

VR= voltage regulator, controls alternator output


My comment was advanced, not really for you, what you are dreaming of does not exist but if it does one day will not arise out of the American RV industry, maybe from electronics hobbyist "open hardware" projects based an Arduino or Raspberry Pi platforms.

Reality is each charge source device has its own controlling mechanism, and the good ones that allow for user adjustability are more expensive.

 

[John61CT]

And yes Magnum makes IMO the best inverters, now working to compete with Victron and MasterVolt for mains chargers, BMs and Combi units (inverter / charger / transfer switches combined in one)

Usually IMO buying separate single-purpose devices lets you choose best-of-breed for each function and the right current output level to suit your situation.

 

[frater secessus]

Dummy still learning here.

Dummies are people who stop learning. 

Is their any kind of all in one charge controller ?

In my brain I would like one MPPT device that can take solar/shore/generator/alternator power and properly charge the house bank.

Doesn't exist, and that's probably a good thing.  Combos are collections of compromises in one giant knot of a failure point.  When you pick components to meet your needs you have a lot more control. 

There are units that handle dual inputs like solar + alternator;  the brand I see mentioned here most often is the CTEK.  Neat idea, but relatively $$$$ and hamstrung by an inability to configure setpoints (as far as I can tell).   The relatively low 20A rate doesn't bother me.

If you went that route you'd just need to add a converter to handle charging from shore power.