Adam, finally figured out why the battery meter shows lower percent than what the battery has. Just play around with the top voltage, float and bottom voltages. Got it at exactly the precise amount of percentage of the battery
Hi, Just wanted to thank you on your videos. Found them very educational when I was investigating converting my camper to solar. I originally got the Tracer AN 30Amps after watching your videos and then after mistakenly diagnosing the Tracer AN as faulty (turns out it was the solar panel, not the charge controller), I went for a Triron 30 Amp charge controller. These devices have performed like a champ for me even in extreme weather (above 48C ambient temperature while enclosed in a metal toolbox). I highly recommend these charge controllers. P.S. Haven't yet tested the triorion, just basing my assement on how the Tracer AN performed. Only negative point I have against my tracer is that the computer communication cable never did work properly for me.
@@AdamWelchUK just found out some of the cables came from factory with reversed black and yellow cables. They even have a guide on how to fix the cables
Greetings all, just wanted to interrupt and ask a small favor. RU-vid has changed their grading scale again and it is more important now than ever before to take a split second to press the "like" button for all your favorite channels. It is just one small way we can say thank you to these content providers for sharing their vast knowledge with us for free! I have seen many several of my favorite channels just stop uploading content or insert ads every 30 secs and all we have to do to prevent that, is simply say thank you by pressing the "like" button. Please and thank you.
Epever is doing some pretty cool things. Hope they keep it up. I want to replace my inverter with epever but waiting for something in the 4000 watt range got off grid.
The short answer to many people's questions is YES you can select USER charge parameters and customize every single voltage setting depending on what type of LITHIUM BATTERIES you you are using.
Thanks for this very informative video about this fantastic solar charger controller. I have found one fault with it. It doesn't have a charging mode for AGM batteries (got only sealed, gel, flooded and user). AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) refers to a specific type of sealed batteries where the electrolyte is absorbed into separators between the plates consisting of sponge like fine glass fibre mats. What I've heard is that they like to have a different charging curve and charging them as usual flooded or sealed will not work as well for them.
just have to say i'm loving the reviews, very comprehensive and well structured, well done that man... PS nice to hear a British accent for a change... subscribed!!
im enjoying it, i convert vans into campers a a second line of business and as you can imagine i am pretty busy adding solar to not only my own vans but i have a line of customers as well, if you ever need anything testing in a real world environment keep me in mind i would love to help, i have bought 2 mppt controllers on your online advice now and have to say they are working out fairly well for me, one is in a friends motorhome, the other in my own personal van, having great fun
Thanks, Adam. I hope that a firmware upgrade will allow Lithium battery charging as default options, rather than you having to set a custom option. P.S. 'Man gan ease' - It's a bit of a tongue-twister at the best of times! You're not alone; I fall over it, too, when under pressure.. ;-) It really should have an easier alternative name.
Sorry! ;-p Thanks for the assistance, I'll try to get it right next time, or just gloss over the term! Yeah a firmware upgrade would be nice but EPSolar tend not to do that from my experience.
Hi Adam, I have this charge controller in my campervan (to charge my leisure battery) and was wondering if I could attach my vehicle battery to the Load output so I could simultaneously charge the two batteries?
I know this is an older vid but I have decided this is the best chg cont. for me, based on needs,features and cost. I see these on Aliexpress for considerably less than Amazon or Ebay but a bit concerned on getting had. What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever ordered from Ali? I would be interested if any subscribers have and what experience positive or negative they may have had. Cheers!
Encouraging that it can support lithium now, however 3S or 6S is limiting, especially without balancing. Most 24V inverters would use 7S. I use 14S for 48V which is a minimum for any serious inverter usage. As Epever make a fairly decent 48V 3kW inverter, it would be useful to make a charge controller that can support it!
Just saw they offer a 60A eTracer with 3200W (48V) max. I'm curious about the 7s or 8s too, I think with user settings you could just set them to the correct overall voltages? I guess you'd still need a separate BMS and balancing system e.g. Batrium or SBMS120 from electrodacus.
We have the 30ampversion of this with the two USB’s, but neither of the USB’s are working? Is this something that needs “turning on” in a menu or something? The port to the right which has the Bluetooth module in is working fine… Thanks 🙏
I Just got the Triton 3210N. The User Manual shows to use the [Enter] key on the DS2 module for Settings and Operation. But there is no [Enter] Key. ?????? any comments please?
Hallo, would you please inform me while setting the battery capacity on epever, should i consider its nominal capacity, 500ah, or the value of its discharge capacity ie c24, 420ah?
Why is this controller advertised as lithium charger and Tracer A is not? PC software supports libattery setting for many months and you can also use it with Tracer A.
+Ohm711 Yeah - unless I have missed something with the lack of a complete manual it's not any different in that respect. I didn't realise that in my first view video. It's still a three stage charger and seems to miss the lithium setting in the menu system.
Would you mind explaining what the maximum input specs are please? Also what the various efficiency numbers are at higher voltages are would be great. Thanks.
Hey, Great video, I just bought the same charge controller, see end right button, when I press this the light symbol lights up orange, do you know what that means? Thanks in advance ;)
I bought a tracer AN on your recommendation. It does the job well for my needs. I have noticed on the epever phone app the tracer AN is detected as a Triron 2210 with the relevant serial number and devise version. I can rightly or wrongly assume the tracer AN and the Triron are one of same.
Would you make a video or comment on what's your most efficient MPPT controllre that you've found ? Considering sun to battery output and no sun power draw.
Hi Adam, your videos are so good I am hooked, I am however a bit disappointed the unit showed your battery at 13.1 volts with no charge coming in and you said this was useful, I would say useless that is way off, I have bout one and mine is the same, it makes me wonder if any of the charge parameters are to be believed, can you comment on this
Not sure if you will help but can I plug a 14.4v dc 2.4amp ac wall adapter into the solar input port to charge my 12v 60ah battery when I have no sun? If yes do I have to unplug my solar? Thank you for the videos.
Hi Adam in your video you mention about the charge controller having a common negative . Can you explain the difference from the rest of the MPPT charge controllers and what are the benefits of that. I’m trying to find Information about this on the internet but not much out there .
gretting! nice videos really enjoy them and learn a lot! i have a question about the advance setting for the battery charge parameter! on the boost time its only goes to 180minutes! sow if the battery is not fully charge once its hit the time limit it goes to float charge even if is no fully charge! its the a setting for end amp instead of time limit? thanks in advance!!
Hi. Adam Welch . out of the 2/ Tracer4210AN vs Triron TRIRON 4210N With would you say is better. I need to buy 1 butt just need some help to make decision as I have not had an MPPT. My old crapy charge control is just pwm 20amp cheap eaby.
Adam... Rather than buy an expensive mains charger for my Triron could I just supply power to the solar input terminals? Surely the MPPT doesn't care as long as the input is similar to expected solar? much like what you are doing in this video for your testing. Can you see any issues with doing this? I was thinking a basic switch/relay i.e. default is power from solar, relay activated is power from mains through a power supply rated to somewhere close to the max the Triron is capable of. This is a camper conversion so could I use a 3 way relay setup to charge from the alternator in the same way? Thanks for your videos, they are all great and thanks if you get the time to respond :) I just don't see why I should buy additional equipment when it seems I already have what I need bar a few tweeks! Do I even need a relay?... Can you just have the 3 power supplies connected together? (I feel that may be a stupid question).
I've ordered a TRIRON 4215N to charge a 7kWh 24V LiFePO4 from 940W of panels. The documentation claims lithium low temp protection which is why I ordered it. This is an upgrade from a 12V Tracer 4215BN 220Ah FLA system. I still need a 12V system and am considering using a 24->13.8 converter, or if possible, do you think I could drive the input of the Tracer from the output of the TRIRON so that I can leave the entire 12v system, including batteries, intact while the 24V system is used mainly to run a 3 or 4 kW inverter?
Hey mate, could you please do a video ( perhaps with super caps? ) showing if / how this controller stops charging / doesn't continue to float charge?. Its a little confusing how it charges, i assumed that in boost mode it charges to say 12.51v and that it doesn't apply a float charge until the battery drops to the float voltage of 12.39. That's how i understood it anyway but some people say you should set the float voltage to the same as your charging limit (12.51v) to stop it float charging. My experiments were poor but it seemed that even with the float voltage set at 12.39v and the battery at 12.50v it was still float charging. I might be missing something obvious :) but i want to be sure i'm not harming my lithium cells if possible but don't have the gear / knowledge to be confident i'm doing the right thing. Cheers Scott
Hi Adam, I'm curious if you could tell me more about the relay module. Does the controller have the logic to turn switch the relay based on the external temperature sensor? I'm looking for an easy way to stop charging my 18650 bank around 5°C. Thanks!
hi adam,,i have the triron mppt and a MT50 REMOTE when i connect the mt50 and press the ok button on the remote it switchers on the orange load light on the controller so i have to press load out button to turn it off is there a way to stop this when ever i touch the mt50.......
Hi, can the mt50 be connected to this please? I was going to buy the bluetooth adaptor but cannot even get the app to install on my phone so thinking i may be better with the mt50.
Hi there. I have a solar charge controller exactly the same as the one in this video. I am trying to find a way to charge a notebook computer using the usb port on it. I can charge my cell phone using the usb port and I am planning to visit an eletronic store to have them make a cable that will plug my computer charge port to the usb on the controller. Do you think it is possible?
The only videos I find on youtube are for plugging a computer to the controller using this cable you mention in this video for setting up the parameters. I haven't found any video that explains what I am looking for.
thanks Adam for all your valuable imformation regarding solar charging. i have one question regarding MPPT, would it make a difference between 1 x 100w 12v panel or having 2 x 50w panels wired in series??
I would guess that if you are working with either one 100 watt 12 volt solar panel or two 50 watt 12 volt solar panels, that having two 50 watt panels connected in series would have a higher open circuit voltage and possibly greater efficiency in the Pv wiring going to the charge controller because it would be carrying a lower amperage. Aside from that, watts is watts.
As i had watch most of the video, Mppt solar charge controller is boost the voltage to chargeable voltage for charging! some how most of the people use the higher voltage to test the MPPT controller! never try how low the solar panel voltage can be use to charge the battery! MPPT is design to boost voltage when sun light is on cloudy days, it still able to charge the battery!
+Eric Lee The vast majority of offgrid MPPT solar charge controllers use buck converters. The solar panel voltage must be higher than the battery voltage. There are a couple of exceptions. The Minghe 7210A and the CTK300 are two examples of offgrid MPPT solar charge controllers which boost the solar voltage up to the battery voltage - but they are in the minority. On grid MPPT charge controllers will typically boost the solar voltage up higher in the inverting stage. This MPPT controller uses the high voltage and lower amperage to convert into a lower voltage higher current charge for the battery. Testing this controller at a lower solar voltage than the battery voltage would have resulted in no charge at all.
Looking at the Li-ion settings, it doesn't seem to have anything special hardware wise to support lithium technologies, just a bunch of settings. Should be able use the TracerA series and set the same values as a user set battery?
+Darren Poulson Yes this is true. Essentially it is still a three stage solar charger which has had some reasonable voltage limits set in software for lithium cells. I was a bit disappointed that these presets weren't available without hooking it up to the computer though.
I would think that it is only set with the PC for a reason. If you are using Lithium then you will most likely have it hooked to a PC to collect data and set everything for your system setup.
Hey Adam, thanks to your videos and advices below I have now the old version fitted and working on my campervan with 200W solar panel. I have a question related to batteries. I have 2x160AH FIAMM Monolite 12umtb 160 (AGM) plus one 100ah Maplin Sealed Lead Acid Battery I have likned them all in parallel to get ~400Ah on 12volts. Am I making mistake here? Do I have to make equalizers or split them (get rid of the Lead Acid one?) The AGM one is with float charge recommended to 13.6, where the sealed one says 13.6 to 13.8. And I have set the EPever to 13.6 float.
It's generally not recommended to mix batteries. They have different capacities and different charging and discharging characteristics. However having said that there are lots of people who are running setups like yours and it works for them. The biggest thing to consider are losses in charging and discharging and the potential current moving from a larger battery to a smaller one. If your larger batteries spend much of their time recharging the smaller battery because it has a lower capacity it might be more sensible to remove it all together. It's worth trying to monitor the current moving between individual batteries - best with a DC clamp meter. The capacities aren't a million miles away from each other and the charging parameters shouldn't be either so it might be ok. My advice, try with, try without see what works best in your application. Although it's possibly not the straight answer you were seeking?
Hi Adam. Do you know if the load output terminals can be set to shut off when it goes below a certain voltage? I read through their manual, but still not sure. It's the output terminals with the light bulb, to the right of the battery input terminals (I say that because I'm also confused as to whether the "load" is always referred to as those terminals or not). The reason I ask, is because my inverter is too big to connect directly to that load output, so I'd like to just connect a relay between that load output and the inverter. My inverter is not an Epever, so it doesn't have any relay connection on it. Their manual says to connect the inverter directly to the battery(s), which is fine, but I would need to make or buy an extra shutoff circuit for the inverter, otherwise it would drain the batteries to 0% which I want to avoid. But it seems as if the output terminals would serve that function perfectly, so the only thing I would need is a basic relay circuit. I see that they have a relay option for connecting to their own Epever inverters, but that's apparently for manual ON/OFF I think. Thanks for any help.
Hello - yes the load connection (the far right terminals) can be set to switch off at a low limit. In the EPEver software or MT50 it is referred to as ‘Low Volt. Disconnect Volt’ and there is also a reconnect setting so it will turn on the load again after the battery has recovered. I covered these settings in the second half of my latest video actually. You’re right to connect the inverter directly to your battery and control the relay in this manner.
@@ic707 You made mine by asking this question. Now I directly have the answer. I just assume you have to keep the actual battery amperage when discharging at the max of the the charge controller. So you'd only need an external battery protect if you want to discharge your 100Ah at more than the amperage of the charge controller but you then directly add the load to the battery and not the charge controller 'lightbulb' output. But using a relay is a great idea... much cheaper than a e.g. a separate victron battery protect
Hello Adam, thanks for a great, informative video. ... and as usual, I have a few questions. I've run 3210A and 4210A for over 2 years without any problems in my solar equipped RV. I have never figured out 2 things, though: 1/ does MPPT run more efficiently in series (i.e. 40V / ~8A) or parallel (20V/~16A) configuration. I am aware of other issues like wire gauge, panel shading, ... 2/ My config draws battery around 100A (1200W inverter) so I monitor the batteries with Victron 701. Do I have any use for the LOAD terminals of the Epever? I assume I can't push 100A through. What are they intended for?
According to the EPEver manuals it suggests that two 20v panels in series is best for a 12v system, but equally another table suggests that they perform at a slightly higher efficiency at a lower input voltage. Personally I find two panels in series works best in summer when the sun is higher and stronger, but I swap to two panels in parallel in winter - but that’s mainly due to the lack of MPPT functionality at sub 10 watts input. So I can’t really answer your first question I’m afraid - I’d suggest you test your setup for yourself to find out for sure. Much of my shed works from the load terminal of my Tracer A. It is rated to the same value as the charging current. So a 20 amp controller has a 20 amp load output. With the under discharge protection and the dusk and dawn timers most often the load output probably runs lighting. Hope that helps a little?
@@AdamWelchUK But what about the second question. If I have a load less then what the output amperage is, would using the load terminals (and the built-in battery protection and monitoring) be any good/safe/...?
Hi Adam! excelent review! i buy this one without modules and i would like to know if i can use it like that or i need the modules for make it funtion? thank for your anwers!
Who you asking? Adam or Adam (Me) Because if it's Me, I wanted to get an idea myself. I suspected it was a new product. Adam Welch looks to have the ear of EPEver. Informative.
Hi Adam, from Simon in Australia. Can you please do a vid. of the inverter using it's com port ? Does it talk to the charge controller or a computer? Cheers and stay sunny !
is this better than the tracer ? and the cost? is it safe to use a DC to DC on the input? I have a small DC hydro generator. bit its 12 v I was thinking maybe I could use a DC boost converter and wire it in with the solar . in the input of the charge controller. do you think this could work?
I have brought some of these as the output can also be used as charge input: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3S-11-1V-12-6V-25A-W-Balance-18650-Li-ion-Lithium-Battery-PCB-Protection-Board-/382111867043?hash=item58f7a460a3:g:KqUAAOSwBt5ZMP4p
on my tracer A . I would like to charge my lithium to 4.05 4.1 or 4.15v per cell with a 7s bank. is this possible To do on the tracer A. on amazon they had a tracer AN. it looked just like the tracer A. they said it was the upgraded version. do you know anything about this? and do I need to get the USB cord to program the tracer a for lithium? thanks....
Setting your Tracer to gel battery setting via the buttons will charge your 7s pack to a maximum of 4.11v for each cell. You can tweak that up by choosing sealed or flooded. However yes, using the usb cable (or making one like in my video) you can set the parameters exactly as you wish. Remember though this is a lead acid, three phase charger and does include a float charge. In my videos about my 7s pack I talk about how my setup works with a lead acid charger. I do know about the Tracer AN. I have one on the way, so expect a video soon.
hi adam i have the epever triron 3210n when i put my multimeter fluke to 12v battery it reads 12.8v when connected to epever it says 12.8v but what am not sure on is the percentage of battery states 62% full is that right for the 12.8v state readings
The State of Charge meter on the EPEver solar charge controllers is a bit odd. I've only seen it show 100% when the battery is actively being charged and is being held at a boost or equalization voltage. To my mind 12.8v on a lead acid battery sat at rest is 100%, but EPEver disagree.
Yeah that’s what I do. Remember that a charging battery will give a high reading though - best to allow the battery to settle for a while before determining the charge state.
Adam, I have 12v 300 w panels, the 40 amp 4210n says 520 w max, my panels are Wattage:300W Max Power Voltage:18V Max Power Current:16.6A Open Circuit Voltage:22.9V Short Circuit Current:14A Efficiency:More than 17% can I safely run 2 panels in parallel, or would this be too much? the Triron hasnt arrived yet, tia, btw in Aussie so plenty of sun
600 watts at 12 volts is 50 amps after conversion. So theoretically you’re over the limit - but... this is only going to happen if you get perfect sun and a completely drained battery. Also you can connect more than 520 watts to the charge controller - useful in the winter - the manual states the controller can have up to 1560w of panels maximum. So my understanding is the charge controller will limit to 40 amps charging current (likely to be 44-46 amps in reality) even if there is the potential for more.
Adam, I have this controller and a 100 watt Renogy suitcase set of panels, also two 220ah 6volt deep cycle batteries. It charges great until the sun goes down then my batteries start draining. I thought there is a diode in the panels or controller that prevents this. Is my controller bad or is there a setting I'm missing?
There should be protection in the charge controller. Tonight disconnect the panels - does it drain at the same rate? Narrow down what could be drawing power - or perhaps it’s just the normal voltage drop because the battery is no longer actively being charged?
@@AdamWelchUK I'll try and narrow it down. I have been disconnecting the panels when the controller shows the moon after I noticed what it was doing. I hope this isn't natural drain because it goes from 100% to 60 or 70% within probably 10-15 minutes. I'm not using anything except my RV refrigerator. I thought the whole point of charging to 100% during the day was so you could use the storage.
@@gwbenites This is normal behaviour. You do not have a drain. The Epever does NOT actually measure charge %, it only takes a guess at charge % based on battery voltage. It is only measuring battery voltage. Once charging stops, the battery voltage sinks to about 12.6 volts which the regulator interprets as about 70% charge. It is a weakness of relying on battery voltage to guess at state of charge - it really doesn't work. You should install a true state of charge meter, such as the Renogy battery monitor au.renogy.com/500a-battery-monitor/ and ignore the % estimate on the Epever regulator. These devices actually measure all power going in to and out of the battery, and accurately calculate your state of charge.
It performs in much the same way as all the other EPEver MPPT solar charge controllers I’ve used. If you take a look at my latest video (about the Tracer AN) then you’ll find it performs in exactly the same way as the Triron in the MPPT respect.
Adam Welch because of your videos, I went ahead and purchased the 40A 4210N. I even opened the sucker up and saw the 2 inductors inside. Got directly from EPEVER. Excellent piece of equipment. Thanks for your videos.
Hi Adam love your videos.. What's the best mppt charge controller out of the ones you have reviewed? I am looking to upgrade my old tracer 30A charge controller to 50-80A controller to hopefully future proof my setup as I expend the arrays..
Yep i saw it on the website. Still not listed on the shops. In general in comparison with the older version what do you recommend, go for the Tracer or wait for the TRIRON?
+Ясен Владимиров It all depends on what features you're after and the price I guess. If it proves value form money the better LCD screen option of the TRiRON is better than the tracer A. If you could use the USB ports then the TRiRON is the one. If you're going to pop your controller in a cupboard and just connect a MT50 or wifi adapter then the tracer a will do everything the TRiRON will in the same situation.
+Adam Welch - hey Adam, indeed, i will hide the controler and just use the MT50 to display some information in the motorhome and thats all. I will go for the old one, I found a pretty good offer on aliexexpress :) Thanks again! And keep doing this amazing videos!
Hi, I can't change battery parameters above 32v on me Triton 2210 it gives a failure message when I press update. Can anyone bell me I need 48v battery parameters. Tanks
I believe the TriRon range is only 12 & 24 volt. Therefore charging parameters can only be adjusted from 9-17v for each parameter (and these figures are doubled internally for a 24v system).
+Christofer Steger I’m still using the EPEver Tracer A MPPT charge controller on my main lead acid bank. I’ve got another project in mind for this Triron charge controller.
Very efficient, yet very fickle & very hard to program on-line. Couldn’t run the vacuum cleaner while it was connected. Non-redundant... battery cable became disconnected while driving (vibrations). It didn’t short out, just disconnected.Now it’s toast.....entirely way TOO FICKLE....buy something more robust.
+Hisham Safaoui And I believe it will be - at different input power. With only a few watts coming in your bound to have s lower efficiency - the charge controller itself uses power. The graphs seem to show it reaches peak efficiency at about 100 watts and only dips slightly above this level. Due to the poor weather here I couldn't test that as much as I would like - yet.
