BZ MPPT 250 Solar Controller

[tomj]

Have a BZ MPPT 250 Solar Controller - Have 250 Watts total of solar panels. Recently began using the BZ controller which seems to work OK, but seems to be 'intermittent' in that in bright sunlight, the solar system will produce about 17-18 Amps for a few minutes, then a very light 'click' is heard, and the charging rate goes to '0' for perhaps 30 seconds, then another light 'click' is heard, and the charging rate goes back up... (there has been no change in the intensity of the sunlight striking the panels). Is this 'normal' for the BZ? Previously, I had been using an older model 'ProStar' Controller, which had an uninterupted charging rate, as long as there was sunlight striking the panels. Thanks,

Tom aboard S/V SHEARWATER in Eastern Harbour, Man O' War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

[senormechanico]

I don't know if it's normal or not, but it probably is.

I've got a Midnite Solar MPPT 150 on our home's array that periodically does that, although for only a few seconds.

Steve

[witzgall]

I had the same controller on our previous boat. My issue was that it put a huge amount of noise out on the VHF whenever the sun shone. I put a capacitor in place per the manufacturers guidance, but it only helped a bit. In my opinion, this is a cheap controller not up to the demands of a cruising boat.

Chris

[Dsanduril]

Is the red "float" LED on at the time? In float mode it changes to PWM, could be very broad pulses.

Do you have a battery temperature sensor connected? If it thinks the batteries are too warm it can exhibit this behavior.

Or is the unit itself too warm and cutting out on internal temperature?