I'm wondering if I can connect a battery charger to my battery bank while it's still connected to my MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller. My plan is to use a generator to charge the batteries at night or during times when there's not enough sunlight. Will this cause any issues?
3 Answers
It's pretty common to connect both a charger and an MPPT to the same battery bank. Just be aware that different equipment may react differently. I have my MPPT and charger/inverter connected to the same bus bar, which allows communication between devices and helps prioritize charging sources efficiently. Even if yours don't communicate, it should still work fine!
Definitely! That's how I have my system set up too. Just make sure to set the charger voltage lower than what your MPPT uses. This way, it will only charge the batteries up to about 80%, which leaves some room for the solar to kick in and finish the job. The last thing you want is for the MPPT to think the batteries are fully charged and shut down.
Yes, you can do it! Just keep in mind that the battery state reported by the MPPT might be inaccurate for a couple of days afterward. However, if you’re using Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP), that shouldn't be a huge deal. Even with lead-acid batteries, dealing with a confused MPPT is usually better than letting your batteries stay empty for too long.