Solar30 PWM Questions

[jrnymn7]

Manual

I'm not concerned with running loads; only battery charging.

There seems to be a real lack of instruction regarding setting the charging voltage(s). On one hand, the manual gives the impression the controller has a single setting... a "stop all charging" setting, or as they call it "charge ceasing" (Page 5, 3.10). But on the other hand, it does say something about an adjustable float setting (page 7 chart), but there is no "interface" shown for doing so.

So, it appears to have a charge profile similar to that of a vector/b&d portable charger, in that voltage slowly rises throughout the entire charge (during both cc and cv), and then either stops charging, or switches to float?

I have four 6v batteries, and would like to charge at 14.8v (temp compensated) followed by a 14.4v (t.c.) float, if possible.

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BFL said in other threads:

"My T-1275s want more time at 14.8 or higher... The PWM Solar30 stays at the chosen Vabs... till dark...


Thanks for any guidance you can provide!!!

[jrnymn7]

That's easy enough.

[BFL13]

First you have to set a panel out in the sun and charge a battery to some set voltage and see what it comes to/settles at on the multi-meter. Then you will know you what the Solar30 "error" is if any to allow for.

[jrnymn7]

BFL13 wrote:

jrnymn7 wrote:
BFL,

Does that also mean it's minimum float voltage is higher than it should be?

Could be with mine at 0.5 "high" No idea. I don't Float on solar, only camp on solar. Float on the shore power at home, so never checked that. If it does 13.7 instead of 13.2 or whatever the minimum is, no sweat except in summer might have to add water more often. Float you need to set for ambient temp at the time of year.

Around here, a 13.7v float may just be perfect for winter floating.

[jrnymn7]

"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."

In that case, I'm actually hoping to zone in on a current that will bring the bank up to the setpoint, late in the day. I could adjust it seasonally by raising and lowering the setpoint, as well as running either one, or two panels. And I'll likely add an mppt for winter use. I'm shootin' for max flex, as well as set-it and forget-it.

[BFL13]

jrnymn7 wrote:
BFL,

Does that also mean it's minimum float voltage is higher than it should be?

Could be with mine at 0.5 "high" No idea. I don't Float on solar, only camp on solar. Float on the shore power at home, so never checked that. If it does 13.7 instead of 13.2 or whatever the minimum is, no sweat except in summer might have to add water more often. Float you need to set for ambient temp at the time of year.

[jrnymn7]

BFL,

Does that also mean it's minimum float voltage is higher than it should be?

[jrnymn7]

Thanks RoyB,

Yes, I am familiar with those specs. They actually line up quite well with the voltages my bank responds well to.

But in terms of solar, I'm thinking in the context of dry camping, where "float" would refer to the time from 'full charge' 'til dark. Perhaps I should have prefaced that.

[BFL13]

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 🙂 Niner's goes over too by 0.3 ISTR.

My ammeter readout is accurate compared with the Trimetric and multi-meter.

Important to check against other meters to know what your "error" is if any like that. It stays the same, so you just allow for that much when using it. Not to be confused with voltage differences due to line loss! Just between the controller and your meter.

[RoyB]

The DC Charging voltages listed below are for the T105 6V Trojan Batteries connected in this configuration:


BOOST Mode 14.8VDC
FLOAT Mode 13.2VDC
Equalize 15.5VDC

Per Trojan Battery Spec Sheet.
TROJAN 6V T-105 Maintenance Sheet

Roy Ken