Morningstar Remote Temperature Sensor for Solar Charge Controllers (RTS)

Works. Shows difference 'tween inside on the meter and outside where the batts are at. Necessary in Phx, where it sits in the summer, to keep charging rates in check to prevent over heating.

Buena calida

Have not really connected this yet, but it looks like it is good, I like the long cord that is on it.

This remote battery sensor is a must have, the charger was using ambient temperature for the battery, the ambient goes up with the heat-sink temperature. When the perceived temperature goes up, the charging voltage goes down, and does not charge correctly. With the remote battery temperature monitor, the charger knows the correct battery temperature, and charges to the proper voltage, I really do not understand why this is not a standard piece of equipment with the charger.

Last year, I used a Tristar T-60 to keep the batteries charged during the winter. Using hydrometer readings showed that they were usually always at a medium charge level. With the RTS, this winter, the the readings show a higher state of charge in general. Also, the amount of water I have needed to add to the batteries has reduced dramatically. If possible, I will never use a charge controller on Lead Acid batteries without temperature compensation.

It is what it is, a remote temperature sensor. You can attach it to one of the bolts of the battery or tape it to the side, etc. Plenty of wire length — I actually cut it in half and used the other half as the voltage sense wire which begs the question, why didn't morningstar use 4 wires for this? To combine the voltage and temperature sensors into one shielded cable? That and the price are my only complaints. At the price it should have been 4 wires in one cable to be used as voltage and temperature. Nonetheless, you really do need temperature correction.

I haven't installed this particular sensor yet, but I have others. Temperature compensation is the only way to go with solar battery charging if you want the controller to apply the correct voltages. This sensor on a Tristar controller will ensure that your batteries get as fully charged as they can be, and as a result make them last longer, and help you have more power to play with.

NOt much to say. The product is good and shipping is good.

This was a replacement for a damaged one and it works as expected.