Not sure if my charge controller will work with AGM batteries?

[phongtran0]

I just purchased the Sunforce 30 Amp Digital Charge Controller, Model# 60032 charge controller as it was the only one available commercial retail.

I plan on purchasing AGM batteries, but the only options of the charge controller are for gel or lead-acid and I'm not sure whether AGM batteries fall under lead-acid?

Just wondering if you think I should return the charge controller and buy a MPPT one instead. Probably would have to have it ordered and shipped as I don't know anywhere that sells them.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[Mike90250]

NO

Unless It specifically states AGM batteries, it is not suitable for them. AGM has different setpoints and MUST NEVER overcharge. Overcharge causes gassing, and gassing vents electrolyte, (as o2 & H) and you can never replace it. No EQ cycles either.

Fro your $100 budget, look for a Trace C-30 or C-40 They have settings for AGM, as do some of the Morningstar controllers.

[phongtran0]

Thanks Mike, I'll return the charge controller and look for another one. I'm not really on a $100 budget, it was the only one available. I don't mind spending money for good quality parts, but was just hoping to not have to wait for shipping.

Oh well, it's winter time here anyway so not in any rush.

[Mike90250]

Morningstar has a nice 20A and a 45A & 60A MPPT charge controller line up, very latest, and very efficient. Cold winter days are when the can really boost the power.

[phongtran0]

I've found a local distributor, but the only Morningstar product looks like it's a bit lower quality. The SunSaver MPPT Charge Controller. Do you happen to have any experience with the other ones?

Outback FM60 MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $635
Outback FM80 Flexmax MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $709
Xantrex XW MPPT60-150 MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $646
Blue Sky Solar Boost SB2512i MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $229
Blue Sky Solar Boost SB2512ix MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $264
Blue Sky Solar Boost SB6024HL MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $589
Blue Sky Solar Boost SB50L MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $511
Blue Sky SB2000E MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $289
Morningstar SunSaver MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $317
Apollo Solar T80 Turbocharger MPPT Charge Controller MPPT $824

Also, as long as I get any MPPT, does that mean I won't have to worry if it has a AGM switch? As they should have reverse current protection and overcharge protection automatically?

Thanks again Mike. This forum is awesome.

[Edit] Did my own research. Gotta love that. The Morningstar specs support AGM but is only 15A. I'll scan the others.

Er. Feel free to move this thread to Solar Beginner as well since it's not really technical. Didn't see that sub-forum when I created the thread so thought technical meant more technical support.

[Mike90250]

1) controller needs to have an AGM selection. If not, forget it.

Following is my opinion, not "fact".
Blue sky uses an old version of MPPT, and while better than PWM, not the best.
Apollo / Midnight very good units
Outback has had some MPPT search/lockup issues
Xantrex XW are solid units
Morningstar very recent and advanced MPPT, very efficient units. Maybe the sunsaver MPPT looks cheap, but I've heard only good things about it. Morningstar has recently (Dec 2009) released a Tristar 45 & 60A MPPT model. Those should work well.

[DeltaFox 25]

Morningstar Tristar MPPT 60 Amp charge controler $587.84

[Jockito]

Hi all,

Im new to this forum so bare with me.

What about solar charge controllers that allow you to manually adjust the set-points for both Bulk and Float charging? Can these be used for AGM Batteries? For example, i have an AGM Battery and the datasheet specifies its Cycle Use is 14.4-14.7v If this was manually set on a charge controller, would this be ok?

[DeltaFox 25]

I would have to look that up but I think you can do that with several types of charge controller. Mike can tell you.

[Mike90250]

Some charge controllers will let you adjust setpoints for different batteries, some have them preprogrammed, and some have both. Good ones also have battery temperature sensor inputs, so the controller can regulate even better.
But you have to read the manual, not the sales pitch

[Jockito]

Ok, so the set-points are the only difference between the different battery-type settings on a charge controller?

Another question is this - since not all AGM batteries have the same set-points, how can a charge controller have a general AGM battery setting? For example, i checked the datasheet for the Morningstar 15A MPPT SunSaver Charge Controller, and that indicates that for the AGM Battery setting, it will have a set-point of 14.3V for Bulk charge. However, the datasheet for the AGM Battery that I have at home indicates its charge cycle is between 14.4-14.7V So doesnt that mean if i use the SunSaver on the AGM Setting, it wont fully charge my AGM? and thus shorten its life?

You can manually change the set-points for the SunSaver, but you need to buy an adapter (more money) and connect it to a PC. But then why make an AGM setting, when AGM battery's have different set-points depending on the manufacturer?

[Mike90250]

Marketing.

I like the trace/xantrex C-xx series, preset jumpers, and trim pots if you need to fine tune something, of course, you can also mess something up too....

The Fine Print giveth and taketh away.

[Mike90250]

Also look at the other 2 points in the charge cycle, absorb and float, with AGM, the Float setpoint is the one that will kill AGM.

[Jockito]

I was set on getting the SunSaver MPPT 15A, because it was the cheapest i could find and had the AGM setting, but now that i'd need to spend more money and time programming it with a PC, this has made me much more reluctant to buy it. So much for the AGM setting... It seems that as long as you can manually change the set-points, then it can charge AGM batteries.

[Jockito]

After emailing Mornington Technical Support, they told me that the ONLY difference between the Flooded and AGM battery setting, was the set-point, and told me that since my AGM datasheet stated its cycle-use is 14.4-14.7v, then i should actually use the FLOODED setting for my AGM, since its set-point is 14.4v and both AGM and Flooded float is 13.7v

This leads me to believe that as long as a charger has set-points within that specified on a battery's datasheet, then it will be ok to charge it.

I was real worried that my AGM could only be charged by a controller with an AGM setting, but it seems that even those chargers WITH an AGM setting may not necesserily have the right set-points. As long as the set-points are within spec, then even a standard charger can be used.