A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: keyturbocars on December 13, 2010, 05:26:43 AM

Title: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: keyturbocars on December 13, 2010, 05:26:43 AM
Could one of you explain what this feature is all about?

Buck or Boost DC to DC converter operation available in 2011.

It's listed as #29 on this list of features:

http://www.wholesalesolar.com/pdf.folder/controller%20pdf%20folder/MidniteSolarChargeControllerSpecs.pdf (http://www.wholesalesolar.com/pdf.folder/controller%20pdf%20folder/MidniteSolarChargeControllerSpecs.pdf)
Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: Halfcrazy on December 13, 2010, 06:39:33 AM
A typical MPPT controller Buck converts (Down Converts) the Input voltage to match the battery voltage. The Classic will boost convert (up convert) the input voltage to a higher battery voltage.
Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: Vic on December 17, 2010, 10:21:28 PM
WOW,  I'd not seen the Boost mode mentioned for some time,  so thought that it had been dropped.

Is all the hardware present in the first units,   ie,  only Firmware update needed ?
Or,  will the early units need hardware mods/additions for Boost ?

Thanks again.   Vic
Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: boB on December 18, 2010, 03:14:51 AM
Quote from: Vic on December 17, 2010, 10:21:28 PM
WOW,  I'd not seen the Boost mode mentioned for some time,  so thought that it had been dropped.

Is all the hardware present in the first units,   ie,  only Firmware update needed ?
Or,  will the early units need hardware mods/additions for Boost ?

Thanks again.   Vic


It's pretty much software, a lot of testing, then more software adjustments and then over again.

boB

Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: ibeweagle on January 15, 2011, 08:23:15 PM
how about a veg oil diesel runing on wvo 28 volts dc 7kw aircraft dc gen on it use to be on army ordnance  APU  2cycl diesel Hazts and boost up to a 48 volt battery bank think it will work to might have to see if can make a automatic renewable energy control box for best combination of wind hydro,solar and vegoil power of coures being carefull not to let the smoke out fuse everything Cheers Mike
Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: laszlo on July 26, 2011, 09:05:06 PM
Quote from: boB on December 18, 2010, 03:14:51 AM
Quote from: Vic on December 17, 2010, 10:21:28 PM
WOW,  I'd not seen the Boost mode mentioned for some time,  so thought that it had been dropped.

Is all the hardware present in the first units,   ie,  only Firmware update needed ?
Or,  will the early units need hardware mods/additions for Boost ?

Thanks again.   Vic


It's pretty much software, a lot of testing, then more software adjustments and then over again.

boB



I observed the Classic 200 input/output voltages really close to each other  - like 2V - in U-Set % mode. I believe this would not be possible without boost capability if the Classic was just a straight buck type down-converter. But I think currently, the other charging modes of the Classic currently assume that it's a buck converter so they sweep  6-8 Volts minimum  above the battery voltage.  Seems that the efficiency is higher when the array voltage is at least 6-8 Volts above the battery voltage.
Title: Re: Buck or Boost DC to DC Converter
Post by: boB on July 27, 2011, 01:02:28 AM
Quote from: laszlo on July 26, 2011, 09:05:06 PM
Quote from: boB on December 18, 2010, 03:14:51 AM
Quote from: Vic on December 17, 2010, 10:21:28 PM
WOW,  I'd not seen the Boost mode mentioned for some time,  so thought that it had been dropped.

Is all the hardware present in the first units,   ie,  only Firmware update needed ?
Or,  will the early units need hardware mods/additions for Boost ?

Thanks again.   Vic


It's pretty much software, a lot of testing, then more software adjustments and then over again.

boB



I observed the Classic 200 input/output voltages really close to each other  - like 2V - in U-Set % mode. I believe this would not be possible without boost capability if the Classic was just a straight buck type down-converter. But I think currently, the other charging modes of the Classic currently assume that it's a buck converter so they sweep  6-8 Volts minimum  above the battery voltage.  Seems that the efficiency is higher when the array voltage is at least 6-8 Volts above the battery voltage.



The input to output voltage differential can be extremely low.   That is, if the Low-Max (LMX) feature is enabled  (Tweaks/More).  The lower the current, the lower the differential.  I have even seen the input voltage slightly below the output voltage myself which even surprised me.   Not much lower though, maybe 1/2 Volt and this was at basically 0 current.

boB