Voodoo Solar- Outback Flexmax
FM60 & FM80Charge Controllers
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Outback Flexmax FM60 and FM80 are considered by many to be the best charge controller available for managing the health of your system's battery bank. With 60 or 80 amps capacity respectively, they combine maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology with important features such as array voltage conversion, battery temperature compensation and extensive data-logging. With the precision of digital programming, these controllers allow easy setup of voltage set-points and the versatility of complex functions for specialized applications. Programming is accomplished with four soft keys that access multiple menus on a backlit LCD screen for easy viewing even in poor lighting conditions. Both models will interface with the MATE controller that is capable of managing and programming both Outback charge controllers and Outback inverters from up to 1000 feet away.
Maximum Power Point Tracking, simply stated, converts higher solar array voltages into increased current (energy flow) into your batteries, compared to a more basic controller without MPPT. This effect is especially pronounced on cold days when the solar panels produce a higher voltage. This valuable technology can deliver up to 30% more energy to your batteries on cold winter days when you need it most. In any weather, it means that you are getting the most from your array. When you consider the cost of solar panels and the structures needed to mount an array, a MPPT controller is most certainly worth the small additional investment.
Array Voltage Conversion is a technology that gives the charge controller the ability to automatically convert higher array voltages (up to 150 volts DC) to match the voltage of your battery set. This means that you can wire your array to a higher voltage, which allows the use of smaller, less expensive wire between the array and controller, reducing both cost and conduit size. It also maximizes the use of MPPT technology, delivering more power per day. Higher array voltage makes it possible for longer wire runs between array and controller. Finally, it allows for more versatility in the choice of solar panels for a particular application, often reducing the cost of the array.
Temperature Compensation senses the temperature of your battery set using an optional probe and adjusts the voltage set points to ensure that your batteries are receiving the proper charge under varying temperature conditions. Since batteries require higher voltages to obtain a full charge in cool conditions and lower voltages to avoid excessive gassing and boil-off in hot weather, this is an important function.
Outback's extensive data-logging functions help you diagnose system problems by giving you information about daily performance conditions for several months past. It also displays real-time performance data such as battery voltage and array output, and energy delivered since sunrise. Additional programming functions can be utilized in a wide variety of specialized applications, but commonly used with an external relay to control battery vent fans to remove flammable gasses from the battery compartment during during the final charging stages and equalization cycles.
The following are the maximum recommended wattage for the most common solar arrays under
Standard Test Conditions (1000 watts per square meter to solar panel at 25° C or 77° F):
• 12VDC battery systems—up to 1250 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 800 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 24VDC battery systems—up to 2500 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 1600 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 36VDC battery systems—up to 3750 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 2400 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 48VDC battery systems—up to 5000 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 3200 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 60VDC battery systems—up to 6250 watts (FLEXmax 60) or 4000 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
Return to Voodoo Solar's charge controller page for current pricing information. Outback FM60 & FM80 Manual (PDF)
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Outback Flexmax FM60 and FM80 are considered by many to be the best charge controller available for managing the health of your system's battery bank. With 60 or 80 amps capacity respectively, they combine maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology with important features such as array voltage conversion, battery temperature compensation and extensive data-logging. With the precision of digital programming, these controllers allow easy setup of voltage set-points and the versatility of complex functions for specialized applications. Programming is accomplished with four soft keys that access multiple menus on a backlit LCD screen for easy viewing even in poor lighting conditions. Both models will interface with the MATE controller that is capable of managing and programming both Outback charge controllers and Outback inverters from up to 1000 feet away.
Maximum Power Point Tracking, simply stated, converts higher solar array voltages into increased current (energy flow) into your batteries, compared to a more basic controller without MPPT. This effect is especially pronounced on cold days when the solar panels produce a higher voltage. This valuable technology can deliver up to 30% more energy to your batteries on cold winter days when you need it most. In any weather, it means that you are getting the most from your array. When you consider the cost of solar panels and the structures needed to mount an array, a MPPT controller is most certainly worth the small additional investment.
Array Voltage Conversion is a technology that gives the charge controller the ability to automatically convert higher array voltages (up to 150 volts DC) to match the voltage of your battery set. This means that you can wire your array to a higher voltage, which allows the use of smaller, less expensive wire between the array and controller, reducing both cost and conduit size. It also maximizes the use of MPPT technology, delivering more power per day. Higher array voltage makes it possible for longer wire runs between array and controller. Finally, it allows for more versatility in the choice of solar panels for a particular application, often reducing the cost of the array.
Temperature Compensation senses the temperature of your battery set using an optional probe and adjusts the voltage set points to ensure that your batteries are receiving the proper charge under varying temperature conditions. Since batteries require higher voltages to obtain a full charge in cool conditions and lower voltages to avoid excessive gassing and boil-off in hot weather, this is an important function.
Outback's extensive data-logging functions help you diagnose system problems by giving you information about daily performance conditions for several months past. It also displays real-time performance data such as battery voltage and array output, and energy delivered since sunrise. Additional programming functions can be utilized in a wide variety of specialized applications, but commonly used with an external relay to control battery vent fans to remove flammable gasses from the battery compartment during during the final charging stages and equalization cycles.
The following are the maximum recommended wattage for the most common solar arrays under
Standard Test Conditions (1000 watts per square meter to solar panel at 25° C or 77° F):
• 12VDC battery systems—up to 1250 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 800 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 24VDC battery systems—up to 2500 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 1600 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 36VDC battery systems—up to 3750 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 2400 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 48VDC battery systems—up to 5000 watts (FLEXmax 80) or 3200 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
• 60VDC battery systems—up to 6250 watts (FLEXmax 60) or 4000 watts (FLEXmax 60) of solar panels
Return to Voodoo Solar's charge controller page for current pricing information. Outback FM60 & FM80 Manual (PDF)