The new MPPT calculator explicitly removed the capability to manually enter custom panel parameters.
Why do you assume all panels ever manufactured are in your database of 160,000?
There are dozens of off-brand panels that are not listed.
Not to mention those with panels over 10 years old from companies that no longer exist.
Please rethink this decision, thank you.
Hi Rick,
We noticed that the custom panel option was a feature that was almost never used. By adding the database, that is updated on a regular basis, we wanted to make the tool more user friendly. I understand your feature request and will discuss with the team.
Thank you!
@lasse For mobile applications, boats, RVs, caravans, 5th wheels etc tend to use smaller flexible panels which may not come up on your extensive database. The ones I have on my boat are not on your database so again a backwards step. The custom option may not have been used often, but for those situations it means the system is not useful.
See the post on the old community.
https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/331561/victron-online-mppt-calculator.html?childToView=331591#answer-331591
I’m likewise thrown off on this feature removal. I apparently am the exception to the rule but I only used the custom panel feature. I work in the marine market and it seems like none of the panels I typically specify are in the database. This calculator which I normally use on a monthly and sometimes weekly basis is now basically useless. Please bring the custom panel feature back. It was super helpful to be able to specify a Victron charge controller in minutes.
Just before the changeover to the new online community, I posted about Victron’s new online MPPT calculator. The new calculator removed the ability to enter custom PV module information. It requires the user to select a PV module from their online database. Unfortunately, the online database is not all inclusive (nor can it be) and therefore it has rendered the calculator useless to many users. Here is a link to the topic on the old community for reference.
https://community.victronenergy.com/questions/331561/victron-online-mppt-calculator.html
I wanted to bring this topic to the new community as well. I have spoken with many professional installers who are unhappy with the new calculator because of this change. Not being able to enter values for PV modules that aren’t in the database has rendered the calculator useless to many off us. By us, I mean professional installers, Victron dealers, Victron distributors and end users. I have spoken with other Victron dealers and distributors as well as Victron North American sales managers about the change. None of us are happy about the loss of functionality. I am hoping Victron hears this and brings back the old functionality to the new calculator. I would think it would be a much easier task to allow for users to enter custom values than it would be to try to maintain a comprehensive (world wide) database of available PV modules.
As an installer and authorized Victron dealer, I can say that the custom module feature was the only way I used the calculator (and I am not alone in this use case). I have gone through the database in the new calculator and none of the modules I use in my installations are included. This has rendered the calculator useless to me. I regularly used the calculator, even when I was doing installations where I didn’t need it because I was using the same modules and MPPTs as previous installations. I would always print the calculations to a file and save it in my customer file for that installation as a reference for both me and the customer.
I am moderator on the DIY Solar Forum. Entering custom PV specs was a feature that I used a lot to check members plans. Please, put the custom feature back!
Hi @pwfarnell @jhullinger @Chad_Heiser and @HRTKD,
Thank you all for bringing this issue to our attention. The decision has been made to bring the feature back. The calculations module still supports custom panels and in theory you could even use the url to make custom calculations. I can not comment on timelines but I will keep you posted on any updates regarding this feature.
In the mean time is it possible to make the old tool accessible via a a link?
For what it’s worth, you can still download the Excel version of the calculator, which does allow you to input custom parameters, from the very bottom of the Software Downloads page: Software - Victron Energy
It would be great if Victron would make haste to bring the feature back, or give a URL link to the old tool in the meantime. I need to make some calculations for new projects. Without that feature the tool is useless for me too. I can not find the panels I want to use.
Hi @AukedeG we have already started working on bringing back this feature. Should be back soon. I will keep you posted.
No, unfortunately the old tool is no longer available.
You don’t seem to have this panel range JA Solar JAM60D42 505-530, I ordered the 525w version back in May, luckily the old calcultor was still available then.
@Ronski, @AukedeG @Justin @manic4surf @HRTKD @Chad_Heiser @jhullinger @pwfarnell and @ricardocello Custom panel option is available again. You have to enable the advanced switch. If there are any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I have been checking out the new custom option in the new calculator. It is still missing one of the settings that was previously available in the old calculator. In the old calculator you had the option to allow for up to 130% power ratio or to not exceed the controller’s capacity. I don’t remember exactly how the function was worded, but that option does not exist in the new calculator. The calculator is automatically allowing for a power ration over 100% without letting you chose not to factor that in. While I agree that over paneling a controller can be beneficial under certain circumstances, it isn’t always ideal, so being able to turn that option on off or choose to allow or not allow that option should be a part of the new calculator like it was with the old calculator.
@Chad_Heiser you are completely right we did have that feature. It is planned to come back with an even more advanced feature but I will have the team add the 130% option asap.