Apollo 80 Comments - now OutBack FLEXmax 80 [RE-wrenches]

[Christopher Freitas --- OutBack Power]

The new OutBack MPPT controller is actually called the "FLEXmax 80" and 
is rated at 80 amps at up to 40C/104F without any derating.  This is 
nearly twice the power handling capability of the previous MX60 which 
was 60 amps at 25C and derated to 45 amps at 40C. The maximum input 
voltage is still 150 VDC - but it now allows operation up to 145 vdc 
which improves the usability in cold locations. 

We announced and showed this controller at the Long Beach show and have 
had several out in the field for a few months.  The first large 
production batch is shipping this month.  

The new FM80 is about 2 inches taller than the old MX60 (which is still 
available) and it has all new internal circuit boards and completely 
revised software also along with a more powerful micro-computer.  

The same die-cast front is used together with an additional housing for 
the larger fan on top.  This fan housing can be removed with the 
controller still on the wall by removing just one screw for examination 
/ cleaning / checking / replacement of the fan - which has a plug-in 
connector.  We thought that making the fan easy to access was a good 
idea since over time even the best fan can/will fail.   

The FM80's PV and Battery +/- terminals are larger and more robust than 
the previous terminal block and accept up to #2 AWG wire - although 
typically only #4 AWG wires should be required.  There is also more wire 
bending room in the FM80 for the larger wire size. The mounting holes 
and knockouts are in the same locations as on the previous MX60.  

The new software does true active, continuous MPPT sweeping now and is  
up to 4 times more sensitive than before as to finding the maximum power 
point.  This improves the performance with cloudy conditions where the 
MPP is changing frequently - giving maybe 1 or 2 percent more power 
under these conditions.  

This new software also allows full programming and monitoring of the 
FM80 from the MATE remote display.  There also is now 128 days of very 
detailed logging information available right from the LCD display of the 
FM80 - it does not require the MATE to access it. You can see both the 
amp-hour and kilowatt-hour production on a daily basis, along with the 
min and max battery voltages which occurred for each day.  The logging 
also provides the maximum open circuit voltage, maximum output current, 
maximum output watts, and the time spent in absorb and float for each 
day as well.  

Finally, the FM80's shipping box is styro-foam free and made of recycled 
& recyclable cardboard. 

Christopher


Christopher Freitas
OutBack Power Systems, Inc.
cfreitas @ outbackpower.com  
www.outbackpower.com
Arlington WA USA
Tel 360 435 6030  


Matt Tritt wrote:
> 
> Hope I'm not letting the cat out of the bag, but OutBack is currently 
> whipping up even greater expectations with their up-coming "Flex-80"; 
> looks like an MX, but has an added doohickey on top with fins on it.


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