Solar / PV Systems

Outback Charge Controller Data Logging

August 29, 2016

The Outback FM80 / FM60 series charge controllers keep a 128 day running log of many different voltages, wattages and times. This information can be useful in troubleshooting problems, monitoring the status of solar electric systems, and determining system battery status. Data Logging can be thought of like a 128 day history of the charge […]

How Shading Affects PV Solar Panels

June 23, 2016

When installing PV solar panels much care should be taken to ensure that the PV solar panels remains fully unshaded for the maximum amount of daytime hours. This has a much greater impact than some may understand. The most critical six hours of the day are the three hours before solar noon and the three […]

Tesla Powerwall for Missionaries?

May 4, 2015

With the announcement of the Tesla Powerwall, we have been asked if the Tesla Powerwall is something that will help missionaries. The short answer is “No”, at least for now. Read on for a more technical explanation, or just know that the NTM Tech Center is always on the lookout for new technologies and products […]

The Replaceable Three Legged MOV

August 21, 2014

The NTM Tech Center continues to improve the PV solar electric equipment we supply to missionaries around the world. Part of this improvement includes incorporating new technology into existing products. Metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) have long been the mainstay of lightning protection. MOV’s act like very fast acting switches. When the voltage across them exceeds their […]