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Steven Hatzakis asked

PWM Duo Vs MPPT Blue Solar, for Two Batteries that are wired to act in parallel or independent.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions as I have read through the product manuals, checked some videos, and still not sure regarding the following engineering decision:


Battery Setup:

I have two 100 amp 12v Bosch batteries (which I plan to upgrade) in a marine setup where one is for the engine (1) and the other is a service (2) battery, but can also be switched into a "both" position to parallel into a 200 amp 12 v setup as one larger battery. However, there is also an "on-off-combine" switch to isolate the engine battery from other loads. Below are the two switches and the order they are installed from left to right.

on-off-combine-and-off-one-two-both.png

Here is the view from behind the panel where the order is in reverse (i.e. the left switch from the above image is on the right side here below):


back-of-switches.png


Again, when I switch the batteries into position 1, just the engine battery works, to power anything connected to the system, likewise, when position 2 is selected it powers everything (including the engine if needed), while when both is selected (1+2) again everything is pulling from both.


Victron product choice:

I am trying to choose whether to use the Victron smart blue solar series with the Bluetooth monitoring, but given that MPPT only has one battery output I was considering whether the Victron BlueSolar PWM Duo-LCD would be more appropriate (the amp ratings are well within limit for the 200watt setup I am planning, for both model versions I have in mind). Of course, I would prefer the MPPT over the PWM.


  1. my concern with the Duo is whether there would even be a short-circuit risk or how should they be wired since it would be as if the PWM would be charging the same battery via two different outputs. Is this a problem?
  2. on the other hand, if I get the Victron Smart Blue Solar series, I am trying to determine how to best connect it to two batteries (i.e. connect to negative of service battery and positive of engine battery? Given that it only has one battery output, that is what made me consider the Duo. Or is there another way to wire the MPPT? Or should I use two MPPTs and wire them in parallel, where each one has a dedicated PV panel (as I've read two can't share the same PV)


Wiring choice:

In the area where the batteries are, I can see wires running from both batteries to the "both" synthetic poles (like a single bus bar made from two long screws), which I was thinking I would attach the MPPT there, but would that be enough for the MPPT to know which battery needs the charge? What would be the best given the scenario, to use the duo and connect directly to the batteries poles, and would that not conflict when using "both"?

In the image below, the synthetic "both" terminals can be seen on the bottom of the photo (i.e. the two screws with multiple nuts). The thin red wire with inline fuse from the shunt connects to the positive of the "both" terminal (for a BMV-700 device)


Bluetooth:

P.S. If I choose the DUO I was planning on installing the temperature/volt monitoring gadget (Smart Battery Sense gadget) for each battery, whereas with the Smart Blue Solar module I believe Bluetooth comes pre-installed, although I think I would still need the Victron Dongle Bluetooth Display for Victron MPPT Charge Controller and Battery Monitor?.

batt-2-and-both.jpg

And the other battery for reference:

batt-1.jpg




MPPT SmartSolarBlueSolar PWM
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Related Resources

MPPT product page

VictronConnect manual

PWM or MPPT

MPPT calculator

MPPT codes

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