APPENDIX C MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLER
1500W Digital MPPT Charge Controller
An MPPT, or maximum power point tracker is an electronic AC to DC converter
that optimizes the match between the turbine and the battery bank, DC motor,
or DC pump. (These are usually called power trackers or MPPT’s for short. The
power output of a wind turbine varies almost directly with the amount of
wind - but the voltage and current do not. The current drops off much faster
than the voltage. Under low wind conditions the panel or turbine may be
putting out higher volts, but the amperage will be lower than the unit's rating.
What does a Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) do?
An MPPT controller looks at the output of your wind generator and compares
it against the battery voltage. It then uses an algorithm to calculate the
absolute best power that the wind turbine can put out. The MPPT controller
then converts its findings to the best possible voltage to allow for maximum
AMPS running into the battery bank. Most MPPT controllers are at 92-97%
efficient however the controller is 97-99% efficient in the conversion. Here is
where the optimization or maximum power point tracking comes in.
Overview
The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller enables the
wind turbine to achieve its highest possible performance by periodically
tracking the Maximum Power Point of the turbine. The MPPT can be used with
battery systems from 24V or 48V DC. The MPPT set points are fully adjustable
to allow use with virtually any battery type, chemistry, and charging profile.
This user guide will demonstrate the basic operation and troubleshooting of
your MPPT charge controller.
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