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**Gr8fun** · 07-10-2019, 07:15 PM

Wired my solar charger parallel to battery.I have not taken this out on a trip yet. Just short rides and charging off the panel. I seem to be getting a charge onto my battery (13.5 ah 52volt luna ga cells shark with a xiao xiang bluetooth bms) consistently above 1.8amps into the battery as measured by the bms and mttp7210A.
this is equivalent to home 120 v charger....
using single 160 watt renogy panel.

Far above my expectations, equaling my hopes.
I need to do further tests. I believe this performance may exceed Gadgets experience?
may be some apples and oranges.
i am happy with the 7210A. Strange stuff in the instruction manual. Like a battery referred to as the accumulator......

**Gr8fun** · 07-11-2019, 02:08 PM

I had more time to play with controls parameters today.
the best this would do today was 2 amp charge at noon facing sun. Not enough power to run boost until 10am. Now 2:30 and down to 1 amp
Cycling on and off
seems it may be taking .1 amp to run. I tried raising max power point to .19. But still cycles charge from .10 to .95 amp.
57.10 volts at battery.

Just repositioned to direct sun. Stabilized at 1.29 amps
Seems that panel does not have enough power to operate controller snd battery below say 70 wh.( 1.2 amps)
make sure all connections are tight! This does not tolerate sloppy work.
more panel run at 24 volt inut would probably be a lot more effective. 160 watts works but more would be better

**pure_mahem** · 07-11-2019, 06:59 PM

I've been looking into panels. Thinking of going pretty big. Basically the panel would be the cover to my trailer or directly attached to it. Option Im currently looking at https://www.solaris-shop.com/rec-n-p...o-solar-panel/ at first I was think this may be to big. But, I went and measured my current cargo trailer and it's right at the same width at its widest point. It's a good price but $150 for freight on top of that. Perhaps I might be able to find one local but doubt it. If I ever find myself in Flagstaff I can pick one up at Arizona Wind & Sun in store no shipping fees but about $25 more. lol thats only about 2500 miles from here. Maybe a bike packing trip that would be epic just not to pay freight on a panel.

**Gr8fun** · 07-12-2019, 07:28 AM

8:00 am ..already charging with 1.3amps. Sloppiness in wiring.possibly, the bms caused disappointing results yesterday. This just might wrok out to be very usable.
will be more careful to make sure data is replicable before posting.
Yesterdays results were bad. Today is acceptable. The 160 watt may be adequate. panel 2.5 foot by 5.
the panel Mayhem is looking is glass (not flexible, i would be afraid of. Beakage) 39 inches wde. (@ 29 . inches i am worried about width going down road) weighs over double my panel and frame.
electrically ..this may provide 1/2 electric needs at 18mph. Recharge quickly. My framing cost dollars in aluminum and untold hours in fabrication.

**Gr8fun** · 07-13-2019, 08:24 AM

So Help. Today same early morning sun same settings, but where it was charging at 1.2 amps uesterday, only generating .13 amps today??? Identical to problem day before. Resat everything but will not kick in to charge.
what could be problem?

**Gr8fun** · 07-13-2019, 08:47 AM

Found problem. To reset charge controller, disconnect solar panel, disconnect battery Wait several minutes. Then connect battery to controller FIRST. Reconnect controller to panel. Switch on 7210. Amp reads 000. Then rises to .o10 (neccesary current to operate 7210) and climbs on to 1.2 or higher. Charging
without this reset the scr does not drop to o which allows switch to turn off. Possible!
Nice thing about this unit it will also charge your 24 to 90 volt batteries from a 12 volt battery. Or 12 volt battery charger . Does a good balance function at end of charge.
i struction manual says do not subject to vibration. Mount with rubber vibration dampers.

**pure_mahem** · 07-13-2019, 10:26 AM

I read that the 7210 operates the unit from the solar side. Will that mean you are going to have to do this type of reset every time your panel isnt supplying enough juice do to shading or Daily if used daily?

**Gr8fun** · 07-13-2019, 12:17 PM

Not sure. Just remember to connect battery first then panel. Turn on. I think if nattery is left connected no reset neccesary. Auto on when sun comes up.
If sunlight is interrupted it goes to 0 then readjusts for mttp. Loses charge for a minute or two when in shade like a tree.
maybe a battery between panel and controller would minimize this? Where are you gadgets?.

**pure_mahem** · 07-15-2019, 12:12 AM

I thought you might find interest in this forum post I found yesterday in regards to increasing the performance on the MPT 7210a. Don't even ask me how I found it. It was off a youtube video comment somewhere. I was researching to see if anyone had modified the control to improve the tracking after cloud coverage of panels. Seems these guys ... well that's what they do. If you work your way through the thread they show replacing 3 capacitors that are 100nf with 10nf and it completely optimizes the unit. Best your gonna get with the build at hand so to speak. They say there still is the issue but it does not take as long to recover with this mod...of course the whole forum is in french. Lucky for Google Translator. Anyhow thought you guys might be interested in this possibly might see something else that I didn't in the thread. http://vae-tech.forumactif.org/t111-...-mpp-universel

**pure_mahem** · 07-15-2019, 12:24 AM

Also I found a video by Julius Ilett. anyhow he shows there is a second menu on the MPT 7210a that allows you to switch the default of the controller to on. So when it cuts out or is done for the day when the sun hits the panel it will power up to the saved settings. which you can store 20 settings for charge profiles in the controller. the 2nd menu is accessed by doing a long hold on the set button. most of that information is in this youtube video. https://youtu.be/rC4rF62CHKY

**Gr8fun** · 07-18-2019, 01:49 PM

The ming he 4210a is unsuitable for this application. Ordering a genasun configured for lithium batteries. Instantaneous power point calculations, higher efficeiency tech support etc. No hidden agenda of not working when needed. With the 160 watt panel may achieve the 100 mile per day range off of solar power.. Or more. Ming he under ideal conditions getting me 80 watts parked with 160 watt panel. Not good. Useless with all the trees along streets.

**Gr8fun** · 07-19-2019, 11:15 AM

Tried a correction. The ming he is giving me 80 watts under ldeal conditions. Do not have the genasun yet. Still no plug in for a week. All solar.
if you have some cheap panels permanently mounted and several different voltage batteries, the ming he could be your answer.

**pure_mahem** · 07-19-2019, 07:41 PM

Found these folding panels after your suggestion that the panel may be way to heavy. Kind of thinking this may be a good option. Kind of pricey for the panel I think though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza would be more of a stop an recharge for me but I can see still being able to deploy it on topf of a towed trailer. This may be my starting point for experimentation. I like that I can stow it away when not needed or for security.

**Gr8fun** · 07-20-2019, 10:46 AM

Nice alternative. But 120 watts is pretty low.
my 160 watt provided only 500 watt hours in 6 hours yesterday. Parked directed to sun. If production continues today under clouds i will get 20 watt hours! Correction ... producing between 2 watts and 60 watts as controller searching for charge point with cloud changes in sun radiation.
With 80 watt hours wasted in operating the 7210a .
I hope for a big improvement with genasun.
There is good reason little has been done with solar bike idea. Still......
i did see a report from someone using a 130 watt panel using the genasun getting 100 watts. That would be acceptable. My current 80 watts with 160 is not. Genasun may be answer. Next week.
Two less expensive hundred watt flex panels stacked on trailer might be a possability.
just discovered if max amps for charging is lowered to bejust below minimum expected, the 7210 will not keep searching for maximum production, continually shutting down under changing cloud cover and shadows. I set to 1.2 amps and getting consistant 60 watts plius.

**Gr8fun** · 07-24-2019, 08:39 AM

Genasun tech service is excellent in providing information as to the use and choice of product.
as i do far more experimenting than neccesary, i added a bluetooth bms. ( aparasitic draw, ok if you use bike frequently) Nice for battery information performance etc. The bms can be shut off from discharge. This routes the current directly to motor, bypassing some of the bms features. The bms does draw some current when discarge is on. Balanxcng does take place with discharge connected so does the cc function. With discharge off i charge to 2.10 per cell. Balance on at 2.0. With discharge on i can charge to 2.14.balance on at 2.0 and run in parallel.solar to battery and motor. Maintaining a .005v difference in cell voltage. The slow charge 1.2 amps is very good for battery. I normally charge the 58 volt battery to 56 volts before manually disconnecting. As i have a panel range is no longer an issue. Battery should last forever. Two weeks no plug in. About 300 miles..

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LunaCycle Wolf battery parallel running while solar charging at the same time

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