OutBack Power FM100-300VDC-AFCI FLEXmax MPPT Charge Controller 100A 300VDC

This charge controller has some pretty cool features, afci and gfci, will take up to 300vdc for the array and can crank out 100amps to charge batteries. You can also install all sorta of rapid shut down systems with it as well. The MATES 3 monitor is easy to use when programing the charge controller but you do need to but it as well, an addition $300 something on top of the all rdy pricey charge controller. Despite all the features there are definitely some issues.The knock outs are one inch which is sorta a pain for 2awg wire (output to batteries). Doable but 1 1/4" would make dealing with the larger gauge wire much easier. The cooling fan is also in the way for a straight shot out of one of the bottom ko's. It's useable but youll need to offset the conduit or use flex conduit to get around the fan.The space for the wiring in the bottom of the charge controller is pretty tight as well. If you max out the specs of the charge controller you'll have two 2awg wires and 2, 4 or 6 awg, wires in there as well. It works but it's pretty annoying with the afci ring around the array wires. Takes a little monkeying around to get the wires to the right place.I would have also like to see the lugs take 1awg for the output wire. Couldn't get any info from Outback as to if their breakers or lugs were rated to 90c but if they are like everyone else and rated to 75c I think 2awg copper, is a little light for 100 amps continuous. I know this thing passed ETL testing or whatever but it would have made me feel warm and fuzzy to have one size bigger output wires.

Great charge controller, but this is the only one I've ever seen that doesn't have a simple menu or controller like just about every other charge controller on the market. Not compatible with MATE or MATE2. $425 MATE3 REQUIRED, and it's not intuitive. Definitely needs programming to charge LiFePO4 batteries. I had imagined there would be a small screen and control buttons like the other units behind the grey plastic cover. Nothing.

I installed it for my client without any complaints from the client since more 6 months.