Firmware Version 143 ff. Rev 1.39 03.10.17
Dingo 4040P Reference Manual
26
TEST
BOOST
V
+
-
+
-
+
-
B- sense input
Relay
+
2nd
Solar
-
Use LOAD or ‘G’ output to switch relay
(Wiring for ’G’ output shown)
Solar Array
NC
NO
(Relay shown in non-energised state)
+
1st
Solar
-
+
Battery 1
(Primary)
-
+
Battery 2
(Secondary)
-
Fig. 7.5.4A - Second Battery Control
7.5.4 BAT2 - Second battery control
On many afternoons, there is power available
from the solar panels but it is wasted because
the batteries are already full by then. This power
could be used to charge a second or reserve
battery bank. The Dingo has a separate single
stage controller for a 2nd battery built into it.
This allows the second battery to charge if the
main battery has reached the float state and the
voltage on the 2nd battery is below the setting in
the BAT2 screen.
The second battery control function uses a
relay to switch the solar array negative from the
primary battery to the secondary battery.
NOTE: Second battery control is not suitable
for use in negative ground systems since it uses
the B- sense input and requires the battery
negative terminals to be separated (i.e not both
connected to the chassis) Use a negative ground
controller (Like the Dingo 2020) in this case.
With the positives of the two batteries joined
together, the Dingo can read the voltage on
the second battery from the B- sense input. An
external switching device such as a changeover
relay will be required to switch the negative of
the solar panel(s) from the SOL- terminal of the
Dingo to the negative terminal on the second
battery (see fig 7.5.4A).
Use either the Load terminal or ‘G’ relay for
switching the changeover relay (the ‘G’ relay max
current is only 300mA, but this should be enough
to drive most relays). The following settings will
also need to be configured:
PROG=4
allows changing LSET, GSET,
BSET etc
LSET=6 or
GSET=6
LSET if using load terminal for relay,
GSET if using the ‘G’ relay to
switch the changeover relay
BSET=1
‘B-’ input used for 2nd battery
control
The ‘B-’ sense input is wired to the negative
terminal of the second battery and allows voltage
monitoring of the second battery voltage. This
allows the regulator to perform basic single stage
regulation of the second battery by switching the
relay on or off to connect/disconnect the charge
source. A second regulator is NOT required.
The changeover relay will need to meet the
following minimum specifications:
• Correct coil voltage to match the system
voltage, ie. able to handle the maximum
battery voltage.
• Output contacts rated for DC current.
• Output contacts rated to handle the
maximum current that the connected panels
can output.
Note:
It is suggested that customers leave some
panels permanently connected to the regulator
SOL- input (1st solar) and switch all the other
panels (2nd solar) across with the relay . This leaves
a regulated ‘maintenance’ charge available for the
7