How To Install And Configure EPEVER Solar Charge Controller
I bought this EPEVER Tracer MPPT Solar Charge Controller 6 Months ago from AliExpress , up to date it has been operating in good working condition . The Model that I purchased was 4210AN, this model support rated charge Current of 40A, which suit my Current Solar Panel Setup. In this Post I will Share how to select the Correct MPPT Charge Controller base on your Require Solar Panel Setup ,how to install and mount it to the electrical panel , how to program and configure the EPEVER Solar Charge Controller, finally i will provide my honest review about this product.
Note : This is not a Sponsored post , just my honest review after using the product .
Before purchasing the EPEVER mppt solar charge controller, i will need to calculate what are the total charge current of my existing Solar Panel Setup.
My Current Solar Setup are being wired in Parallel together, with 5 pieces of 100W Power 18v Solar Panel with a charge current rated at 7A per pieces.
The Below Diagram Shows my Current Solar Panel Wiring Setup
Below show the actual physical Setup
How to Calculate Solar Panel Current connected in Parallel ?
The Total Output Current is the Resulting summation of All the rated Output Current of the Solar Panel connected in Parallel
Total Current = 7A +7A+ 7A+7A +7A = 35A
I would allocate a Safe margin factor of 15% on top of the total rated Current
New Total Current with 15% safety margin = 35A x1.15 = 40.25A
Thus I will need to purchase a MPPT Charge Controller with a charge rated current equal or more than 40.25A .
Where and how to Source For a Suitable MPPT Charge Controller ?
There are a few online spaces , where you can source for a suitable MPPT Solar Charge Controller. Ecommerce site such as Amazon , Aliexpress, Alibaba , Lazada, Shopee etc have a tonne of Seller selling different brand of MPPT Solar Charge Controller.
I bought this EPEVER MPPT Charge Controller from AliExpress. Before purchasing the Controller , please make sure to identify the correct model you will need to purchase base on the Calculated total output Current of your Solar Panel Setup.
Identify the Correct Model
How to mount the MPPT Solar Charge Controller to your Electrical Panel ?
To mount the Solar Charge Controller into your Electrical Panel , you will need some Self Drill Screws , A Battery powered Electric Drill and a Phillip Screw Driver.
Step 1-> Mark the area that you are going to drill
Step 2-> Ensure that All Power Source and Switches are turn Off
Step 3 -> Start Drilling
How to Wire up EPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Prior connecting Solar Panel Wiring and Battery Wiring to EPEVER Solar Charge Controller . We will need to Identify what are the Cable size that we will need for our Systems .
For Solar Panel PV Wiring
Solar Panel PV Wiring size is determine by its ISC( Short Circuit Current ). You will be able to find this Information on your PV Specification Label.
ISC Calculation For Parallel Connected Solar Panel
When PV Modules are connected in Parallel , the total ISC is equal to the summation of Individual PV Module ISC.
ISC Calculation For Series Connected Solar Panel
When PV Modules are connected in Series , the system final ISC Value will equal to the PV Panel with the smallest ISC Value.
PV Input Current and Max PV Wire Size Please refer the table below ( I extracted this table from EPEVER Manual )
| Model | Max PV Input Current | Max PV Wire Size |
|---|---|---|
| Tracer 1206AN/Tracer 1210AN | 10A | 4mm2/12AWG |
| Tracer 2206AN/Tracer 2210AN | 20A | 6mm2/10AWG |
| Tracer 3210AN | 30A | 10mm2/8AWG |
| Tracer 4210AN | 40A | 16mm2/6AWG |
Battery and Load Wire Size , refer the table below ( I extracted this table from EPEVER Manual )
| Model | Rated Charge Current | Rated Discharge Current | Battery Wire Size Current | Load Wire Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracer 1206AN/Tracer 1210AN | 10A | 10A | 4mm2/12AWG | 4mm2/12AWG |
| Tracer 2206AN/Tracer 2210AN | 20A | 20A | 6mm2/10AWG | 6mm2/10AWG |
| Tracer 3210AN | 30A | 30A | 10mm2/8AWG | 10mm2/8AWG |
| Tracer 4210AN | 40A | 40A | 16mm2/6AWG | 16mm2/6AWG |
Miscellaneous Electrical Parts That you will need before connecting the PV Wire and Battery Cable to the MPPT Charge Controller
Breaker From Solar Panel to MPPT Charge Controller
In Order to Protect any surge Current from your PV System , it will be safer to install a breaker between the PV and the MPPT Charge Controller .
Do note that the Solar Panel is producing Direct Current. Thus the Circuit Breaker Type that we should be looking for , will need to be a DC Type Circuit Breaker .
We can either purchase a Single Pole Type or Duo Pole Type DC Circuit Breaker . If you planned to use a Single Pole Type DC Circuit Breaker , only the positive pole Cable need to be connected to the Circuit breaker , while for the Negative pole Cable you will need to connect it together or link it together with some bus bar. But If you planned to use a Duo Pole Type DC Circuit Breaker , both positive pole and negative pole Cable from the PV Panel will be connected to the Breaker.
For my System I am using a 32A and 16A Circuit Breaker , as i couldn’t find a 40A Circuit Breaker available .
Breaker From MPPT Charge Controller to Battery
Breaker from MPPT Charge Controller to Battery might not be necessary , as the Charging Current is regulated by the MPPT Charge Controller. But it will be a plus to add a breaker in between , if under some circumstances User is able to cut off the Charging Current from the Solar Charger to Battery without disconnecting any cable.
Tools that you will need to Wire up the Solar Panel Cable and Battery Cable to your MPPT Charge Controller
ok , now we have already size the correct Cable and equipment , next step is t o connect up everything .
We will need some tools
- Cutter
- Wire Stripper ( is a Plus)
- Phillip / Flat Head Screw Driver
- Electrical Tape
Connection As Below
How To Program and Configure EPEVER MPPT Charge Controller
Basically there are not much Configuration need to be done
The Only main thing , that we will need to configure is to set the Correct battery Type
Configurating Battery Type
Step 1 -> Press Select Button until you see the Battery Voltage Interface
Step 2 -> Press and hold the Enter Button until you see the Battery -Type Interface flashes
Step 3 -> Select Button to change the Battery Type . In my System I am using Lithium Ion Battery so i select F04
Verify Whether your Installation and Configuration is Working Properly
First Verification-> Press Select button and cycle to the PV Screen , you will be able to see , a Sun Symbol / Solar Panel / Battery and kwh . This indicate that your Panel is Charging the Battery
Second Verification-> Press Select button and cycle to the Battery Screen , you will be able to see , a Sun Symbol / Solar Panel / Battery and kwh . This indicate that your Battery is In Charging Mode
Third Verification-> Press Select button and cycle to the PV Voltage Screen , Check whether the PV Voltage is around your Solar Panel Voltage Specification
ok, If all the Check point above are good , congratulation Your installation and configuration is success.
How To Troubleshoot EPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Life aren’t always Smooth right , now you might run into some Trouble
Below is the Table I Extracted from EPEVER Manual , you can use that as a Reference to Conduct Troubleshooting
| Faults | Faults | Troubleshooting |
|---|---|---|
| PV Array Open Circuit | When There is Plenty Of Direct Sunlight on the PV Array the LCD shows a Crescent Moon Sign | Confirm whether the connection of the PV Array is correct and tight |
| The Battery Voltage is Lower than 8V | The Wire Connection is Correct , but the Controller is not Working | Please Check the Voltage of the Battery ( At Least 8V Voltage to Activate the Controller ) |
| Battery Over Voltage | Battery Frame Blinking | Check Whether the Battery voltage is higher than OVD( OverVoltage disconnect Voltage)and disconnect the PV Connection |
| Battery Discharged | Battery frame Blinking | When the Battery Voltage is restored tp or above LVR( Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage) the load will recover )Take Other Ways to recharged the Battery |
| Overload | Load Off | Please reduce the number of Electric Device |
| Load and Fault | Restart Controller or press button to clear fault | |
| Load Short Circuit | Check Carefully loads connections and clear the fault
Restart Controller or Press button to clear fault |
My Personal Review For EPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller
The Controller , had been installed and running in my Solar System for almost half a year. Up to date it is still in good working condition . The Unit Disperse heat very well, so far i did not encounter any equipment overheated situation. Functionality wise it work well , and i did not encounter any break down events.
Check Out my Other DIY Post
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