Photovoltaic Charge Controllers

Charge Controllers

Charge controllers are key in ensuring maximum battery life. A battery connected directly to a PV module would overcharge and suffer permanent damage. Thus the need for charge controllers arrive. The more advanced charge controllers not only protects the batteries but also serve as a interface for system information. Current, voltage, State of Charge are useful information that a user would like to know about the system. Although not as advanced as battery monitors in system data it will indicate what the system status is. Good quality chargers have three to four charge modes that extend battery life with. This includes, Bulk, Absorption and float and trickle charge modes.

 

Maximum Power Point Tracking(MPPT) Controllers on Direct Controllers

There are two types of charge controllers available. Direct controllers simply connect the PV array to the batteries and disconnect once maximum battery levels are reached. MPPT allow panels to operate at optimum voltages while charging batteries at a different voltage. This optimizes solar yield, and an additional 20%-30% of power can be extracted from the PV array.

 

Charge Controller Data Sheets
-	Steca Solsum F (6.6F, 8.8F, 10.10F)
-	Steca PR (PR 1010, PR 1515, PR 2020, PR 3030)
-	Outback FLEXmax family of charge controllers

If you are interested in our Photovoltaic Charge Controllers, contact us on 0860 SOLSQUARE (765 7782).