Solar Panel Question from novice

Yes I will have 300W by weekend which is why I am adding the temp sensor but using Bosch Powerframe batteries, just need a third now :)
 
wildebus said:
It is probably more relevant/important if you move between extremes of temperature, such as if travelling across North America say, or if you have Lithium Batteries which must not charged at all below a minumum temperature.

Having said that, I added a Victron Temperature and Battery Sense Unit to my AGM setup, but have quite a large setup I want to treat optimally.
Click to expand...

I've just installed a Victron Solar Charge Controller and Remote Battery Monitor together with a 295W Panasonic Solar Panel. In the Victron manual it states that the Battery Temperature Sense Unit is necessary if the temperature difference between the controller and battery is more than 5 degC. My controller and batteries are in the same locker within centimetres of each other so I don't intend to install a Battery Temperature Sense Unit.
I hope this helps.

Colin :):):)
 
Full Member said:
I've just installed a Victron Solar Charge Controller and Remote Battery Monitor together with a 295W Panasonic Solar Panel. In the Victron manual it states that the Battery Temperature Sense Unit is necessary if the temperature difference between the controller and battery is more than 5 degC. My controller and batteries are in the same locker within centimetres of each other so I don't intend to install a Battery Temperature Sense Unit.
I hope this helps.

Colin :):):)
Click to expand...

It is slightly more complex than that, but I don't think it matters in the UK as we don't get massive variances.

The Victron MPPT Controller has a temperature reading, but it is a one-off reading when the controller starts and is not dynamically updated. so it IS possible depending on the environment the kit is in that the actual temperture can vary by over 5 Degrees C. compared to what the controller THINKS it is.
Like I said, in the UK probably ok, but if say in Arizona where it could be freezing at Sun Up and in the high 90's by mid day ....

I fitted the Bluetooth Battery Sense Device which you can add into a virtual network with the MPPT Controller and the BMV.
Screenshot_20180427-114017.png by David, on Flickr

EDIT: Blurb on the Device I fitted: Voltage & Temperature Sense for Solar Chargers - Victron Energy | Victron Energy
I could have got the temperature probe cable into the BMV-712 I have, which would have then communicated with the MPPT controller, but would have lost the Starter Battery voltage info, which I think is handy to have easily available, so opted for the Smart Sense which costed around £8 more than the probe cable on its own and is probably more flexible anyway.
 
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I had t even considered ambient temperatures being a factor, I thought it was because the batteries can heat up a bit when taking a rapid charge and the sensor will throttle back. I have it next to me now so will fit it anyway :)
 
I recently changed my older regulator to a MPPT solar charge regulator with a MT50 controller panel (thank you exwinsurfer) including a temperature sensor for my 100W solar panel system.
At first I was not impressed, as over the weekend I watched my battery voltages drop from 14.9v down to 12.9 over three days.
Then I decided to read the instructions... and got to the bit that says "to turn the Tracer A on" ... doh!
It had been turned off all weekend.
Now my panel is filling up my leisure and vehicle batteries nicely, thank you. :)

My solar panel system is only connected to my leisure batteries, not through my block, but it is still charging my vehicle battery.
 
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