OutBack 80 Amp 12/24/36/48/60 Volt Flexmax 80 MPPT Charge Controller

Includes LCD Display
Manufacturer Part Number: FM80-150VDC

The FLEXmax family of charge controllers is the latest innovation in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers from OutBack Power Systems. The innovative FLEXmax MPPT software algorithm is both continuous and active, increasing your renewable energy yield up to 30% compared to non-MPPT controllers. Thanks to active cooling and intelligent thermal management cooling, the FLEXmax charge controllers can operate at their full maximum current rating, 60 Amps or 80 amps respectively, in ambient temperatures as high as 104F (40C).

Documentation

Features

• Increases PV Array Output by up to 30%
• Advanced Continuous Maximum Power Point Tracking
• Full Power Output in Ambient Temperatures up to 104F (40C)
• Battery Voltages from 12 VDC to 60 VDC
• Fully Output Network Integrated and Programmable
• Programmable Auxiliary Control Output
• Built-in 128 days of Data Logging
• Standard 5 Year Warranty
• Shipping weight: 15.5 lbs

The FLEXmax family of charge controllers is the latest innovation in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controllers from OutBack Power Systems. The innovative FLEXmax MPPT software algorithm is both continuous and active, increasing your renewable energy yield up to 30% compared to non-MPPT controllers. Thanks to active cooling and intelligent thermal management cooling, the FLEXmax charge controllers can operate at their full maximum current rating, 60 Amps or 80 amps respectively, in ambient temperatures as high as 104F (40C).

Included in all of the FLEXmax Charge Controllers are the revolutionary features first developed by OutBack Power, including support for a wide range of nominal battery voltages and the ability to step-down a high voltage solar array to recharge a low voltage battery. A built-in back lit 80 character display shows status information and logged system performance data for the last 128 days at the touch of a button. The integrated OutBack network communications allow the FLEXmax series charge controller to be remotely programmed and monitored via a MATE system display and provides unrivaled complete system integration.

FLEXmax MPPT Charge Controllers are the only choice when you demand a high performance, efficient and versatile charge controller for your advanced power system.

Detailed Description

What is MPPT?

It stands for Maximum Power Point tracking.

What is the difference between a MPPT and a non-MPPT controller?

A non-MPPT controller needs an array at the same nominal voltage as your battery bank. It then connects the array to the battery to charge and disconnects it when the batteries get full. This is pretty basic, but far cheaper than hiring someone with a meter and a switch.

An MPPT controller does a little more than that. Rather than connecting an array to the battery bank, this type of controller is a DC-DC converter. It can take a higher voltage than the battery as an input, and step it down to the battery voltage. Much like a step-down transformer in AC circuits, the voltage on the output drops and the amperage is increased, providing the same power out as is coming in (ignoring efficiency, of course).

If the power is the same, what is the benefit?

A better way to look at it is that an MPPT charger is more efficient at collecting the same amount of power from an array.

If the controller is just more efficient, how can it get more power from the array?

A common misconception is that a 12 volt module will operate at 12 volts. Even a car battery, at least with the car running, will be at a higher voltage. Go ahead. Start your car. We'll wait.

If you don't have a meter handy, it is common to see the battery charging (from the alternator) at about 14VDC. At rest, a full battery will be around 12.8VDC. PV modules are similar. Their actual voltage is higher than their nominal voltage, as long as they have enough light. PV modules also operate best at certain voltage and current levels. This voltage and current is located at the Max Power Point.

Where is this Power Point and how is it tracked?

An MPPT controller finds the voltage and current that produces the highest output; the Max Power Point. If we look at a graph showing the voltage and current drawn from a PV module, we will see that it does not follow a straight line.