MPPT solar controller Aux output

[sailorboy1]

Many of the MPPT controllers have an Aux output that can be used to control a relay. The one on mine can be configured in lots of ways and the setpoint voltage can be adjusted in the programing.

I was thinking to putting a relay in the refrigeration power circuit controlled from the Aux output to turn off the power if voltage gets too low.

Anyone else using their Aux output to do this; if so is it working out? For my system starting from fully charged it probably would take 3 days of no sun to get to 50% SOC, but I could be away from the boat for 5 days so it seems worth doing.

[sailorboy1]

No one using their Aux Output? Is this a "feature" we are paying for just to make extra money for the manufacturers?

[Sumner]

Sounds like you should try it and see how you like it.

We turn the fridge off when we leave the boat, but that is for months. I built some nice vents to go over the open hatches and they worked well this past year with no mold but I'd like to leave some fans on in the boat and bought some....



... low voltage switches to do what you are talking about ...

Sure Power Low Voltage Switch 130512 | eBay

...here is the tech sheet....

http://www.waytekwire.com/datasheet/80029.pdf

Hopefully I can wire them in before we leave and give them a test run.

Our two controllers (Blue Sky 2512iX and 3024iL) have a load feature and can do what your are saying, but only if you also have the IPN remote and we don't have that on either boat.

Let us know how it worked and which controller you are using,

Sum