Hugh,
I don't have much to add here, as I'm mostly learning from your experience. But I'll add that if I understand your reference to transition current as a transition to float, several charge controllers have that feature. I have generally always used it, but primarily to allow a quick transition from absorption to float when a system with flooded batteries is left unused for days, in order to reduce gassing and excessive water consumption.

The RVPP/Blue Sky Solar Boost series has this as an integral analog setup adjustment (although we have stopped using this product after too many failures over the years). The Outback MX/FM series has it as an optional either/or logic (max absorb time or done amps, whichever is achieved first, assuming a long enough solar day) and the Midnite Classic also has it.

Allan

Allan Sindelar

al...@positiveenergysolar.com
NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer
NABCEP Certified Technical Sales Professional
New Mexico EE98J Journeyman Electrician
Positive Energy, Inc.
3201 Calle Marie
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87507
505 424-1112
www.positiveenergysolar.com




On 4/24/2011 1:11 AM, Hugh wrote:

Transition current is not in the vocabulary of the Tristar controller.  I am not aware of a product that has this feature aside from maybe some inverters.   I have read in an Outback manual that you should program the absorb time based on charge current measurements, but the logic of this depends on the battery being 'flat' to the same degree at the start of each charge - whereas wind and solar charging is not like that.

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