Question 1

I have 8 100w 12v panels.  Which is better?: Two 48v arrays in parallel or one 96v array?

Accepted Answer

First note, most panels labeled as "12V" will actually put out ~18V in ideal conditions.  Knowing that, 4 of those panels at ~18V will create 72V when wired in series.  Trying to do 8 panels in series will create near 150V (and open circuit voltage is often ~22V which could become 176V), so I'm pretty sure that forces you to just do the 4 panel groups to stay under the 150V limit.
Also I hope you're doing 24V batteries with that many panels because that's way too much for 12V.  These controllers take in all the power they can from the panels and convert the power to the battery charge power needed (which is part of the "Maximum power point tracking" feature).  With the 8 panels sending in power like ~72V 10A, the controller accepts that and converts it to ~24V 30A (much like how a AC transformer works).  If you were expecting it to go to 12V that much power would be ~60 amps at 12V that's well over the 40A rating.  That's why they say "Max ~500 watts at 12V" while "Max 1000 watts at 24V" (and you can run the numbers yourself of 12V * 40A= 480W and 24V * 40A = 960W).

Question 2

Will this work for solar and wind turbine together ?

Accepted Answer

Hi, it works with solar panel ONLY. Not working with turbines.

Question 3

what are the minimum and maximum charge limit settings in the user mode? I would like to use a 6S lithium battery.

Accepted Answer

I’d buy a better charge controller like a MidNite Classic, these don’t last much more than 18 months and they are not as customizable as the Classic controllers are

Question 4

What is the PV operating voltage, minimum and max input voltage for 12 volt system.

Accepted Answer

From my experience with these charge controllers I have found that the low end cut off for operation is around 14 volts. I wired all my panels in series to get around 132 volts. Beware, the figure of 150 volts in the instruction manual is for minimum operating temperature, go with the other figure in the manual of 138 to be safe.

Display Type	Digital
UPC	615068180009
Global Trade Identification Number	00615068180009
Manufacturer	Epsolar
Country of Origin	USA
Item model number	Tracer4215BN-MT50
Product Dimensions	30.3 x 18.29 x 6.4 cm; 3.5 kg
ASIN	B07429RK43

EPEVER MPPT Solar Charge Controller 40A 150V PV Solar Panel Controller Negative Ground W/ MT50 Remote Meter for LiFePO4 Battery [Tracer4215BN]

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