Solar30 controller question

Snowman9000 wrote:
We need clarification on what has to happen to make it re-start charging.

No, we don't :).

It's written in the manual - when voltage that you've set is reached (they call it the voltage of ceasing charging) - it shuts down. When the voltage drops below this setpoint, it starts charging again. So it will go on and off trying to keep it around this setpoint.

OK for short-term storage if main controller failed and until you get a proper controller. It will maintain Float only, while it would've been nice to hit the Absorption briefly once a day. You don't want to leave it in Absorption while in storage, obviously.

A bit of pain for daily camping unless you like watching it and making changes. You attend to it a few times a day - making sure it goes to 14, then wind you kitchen timer up to 30-60 minutes, then switch to 13, then in the evening you have to remember to switch up to 14 again.

Yes, the solar30 has one settable float voltage.

another bfl13 quote

"RE: solar30 PWM Questions

The Solar30 adjustable voltage is for both Absorption and Float--it is the same voltage. The batts get up to that and then stay there till dark. Simple! If you want to drop in voltage at some point before dark you have to do it manually at the time and then put it back up for morning. You might find the set voltage is out by a couple points. ( The displayed voltage is probably correct--not the same thing), but when you set 14.8 it might go up to 15.1 and settle there. On mine, to get 14.8 Vabs I set it at 14.3. This is good for me because the setting only goes up to 15.0, but that makes 15.5 on mine --equalize voltage area :) "

red, that's how I expected it to operate. Constant current, then constant voltage (tapering). If it does that, it should be workable.

re-start?

'Solar30, "float" and "stop charging" is the same one setting, so you have to change the voltage from the higher stop charging you pick (which it then stays at forever till dark) to a lower setting if you want to float lower (such as for just battery maintenance) '

We need clarification on what has to happen to make it re-start charging.

Snowman9000 wrote:

I am just looking for something to have on hand as a cheap backup. If it doesn't continue to charge after hitting the desired voltage, that seems goofy.

A cheap backup - 12V panel directly to battery. Check voltage in a few hours and disconnect if needed.

It doesn't seem too bad to me that this controller shuts down when hitting the set voltage. When voltage drops (it's not "if" but "when", because perpetuum mobile doesn't exist) - it will start charging again. What is bad, is that you have to be there to change the voltage from Absorb to Float, and also that it won't stay in Absorb for any substantial time. Controllers with everything adjustable - including Absorption time - are normally not in the "cheap" category.

The Renogy 30 amp product line on ebay looks decent to me. Good, better, best. The good model (Adventurer) is a budget 30A PWM at $50 shipped, which does constant current, then constant voltage for 2 hours, then float. There are some conflicts in the manual but I suspect the basics are correct.

The better (Wanderer) is $90 shipped, and it includes LCD display, remote temp cable, and a remote battery voltage cable. Pretty slick IMO.

Both of the above say that parameters are adjustable, but the manual does not show how. Unless them mean the selections for sealed, gel, vented.

The best is $130 shipped, but I didn't check it out. It can use a remote meter.

There is a $28 model but beware, it is positive ground.

Snowman9000 wrote:

grizzzman wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
I've been reviewing the archives. So the Solar30 is adjustable for charging voltage. From BFL13's posts, I think what I get is that it is a taper charger, and they take liberties with the term "float". It puts full amps to the battery until Vabs is reached. Then it does what?

Shuts off?
Floats at a lower voltage?
Continues tapering at Vabs?

I get the impression it shuts off.

Yes it shuts off (At a voltage you select) then it turns back on (At a voltage you select) As an example you could set it at 14.8 volts then set it to turn back on at 13.4 volts.

Make NO mistake this is a cheap and inefficient solar charge controller. As an example, if you dont understand that it would need to be turned down durring non use times, it will eventually overcharge your batteries.
Good luck with your adventures

In reading that manual, I can't see any setting for it to turn back on. There is the one setting for stopping charging. But the other settings apply to turning the LOAD on and off. I *think* BFL has written that you have to disconnect the pv source to get it to restart charging at whatever charging voltage you have set.

I am just looking for something to have on hand as a cheap backup. If it doesn't continue to charge after hitting the desired voltage, that seems goofy.

I stand corrected. All i can say is "you get what you pay for"

grizzzman wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
I've been reviewing the archives. So the Solar30 is adjustable for charging voltage. From BFL13's posts, I think what I get is that it is a taper charger, and they take liberties with the term "float". It puts full amps to the battery until Vabs is reached. Then it does what?

Shuts off?
Floats at a lower voltage?
Continues tapering at Vabs?

I get the impression it shuts off.

Yes it shuts off (At a voltage you select) then it turns back on (At a voltage you select) As an example you could set it at 14.8 volts then set it to turn back on at 13.4 volts.

Make NO mistake this is a cheap and inefficient solar charge controller. As an example, if you dont understand that it would need to be turned down durring non use times, it will eventually overcharge your batteries.
Good luck with your adventures

In reading that manual, I can't see any setting for it to turn back on. There is the one setting for stopping charging. But the other settings apply to turning the LOAD on and off. I *think* BFL has written that you have to disconnect the pv source to get it to restart charging at whatever charging voltage you have set.

I am just looking for something to have on hand as a cheap backup. If it doesn't continue to charge after hitting the desired voltage, that seems goofy.

grizzzman wrote:

smkettner wrote:
I would be tempted to put the restart voltage lower such as 12.5 if there was no real 'float'.
At least you saved some money....

The problem is that there is no absorb charging. (Very important if you want to reach at least 90% charge day to day) It would "likely" be an ok weekender system though. (As long as the person changes the voltages on a as needed basis) Like what BFL13 does.

Depends on the amps. If 25+ amps into a single battery then yes you would be a bit low on charge. 10 amps into two or more batteries may well get you to 90%+ before it turns off.

I also figure if the charge is low, voltage will still drop enough to restart. At the end of the day amps may taper fast enough that voltage never hits the set point again to create a time of 'absorption'.

Not a good way to go IMO. I will not recommend this controller.
Must work OK for those that use it as no real complaints afaik.