Photonic Universe Ltd
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Bringing you the benefits of solar power -
Registered office:
Tel: +44 (0) 203 150 11 11
13 David Mews
Fax: +44 (0) 203 150 12 12
Porter Street
Email:
London W1U 6EQ UK
Web shop:
www.photonicuniverse.com
If your system has the negative common ground, we advise using dedicated battery cables from the
terminals of the solar charge controller directly to both terminals of each battery anyway, and installing
inline fuses between each battery and the solar charge controller for additional protection.
Charging by the engine or another charger
In a vehicle or boat, it is possible that one of the batteries connected to the solar charge controller will also
be charged by your engine from time to time (e.g. your starter
or “engine” battery). Sometimes you might
also need to charge one of your batteries by a different charger e.g. a mains charger. In such cases you
do not need to disconnect this battery from the solar charge controller, but please note the following:
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When you charge one of your batteries by the engine or a mains charger, the voltage at the terminals
of this battery will increase
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The solar charge controller will detect this increase in voltage and treat it as if the battery was fully
charged. So the controller might switch solar charging off temporarily for this particular battery to
prevent overcharging. More power will be diverted to the other battery (assuming it is not being
charged by any other source at the same time)
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When you stop charging by another charger, the solar controller will resume charging the battery.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What type of batteries can be used with this kit?
A. Any sealed, gel or flooded 12V DC battery normally used in caravans, motorhomes, cars, boats, motor
cycles etc. Please note that battery type settings of the solar controller relate to both batteries.
Q. Can this kit charge a 24V battery or 2 separate 24V batteries?
A. No, this kit is designed to charge 12V batteries. If you add another identical solar panel, the kit will be
able to charge a 24V battery. Before you make any changes, you will need to contact
Photonic Universe
first for assistance and advice on the type of solar panel which can be used and the wiring.
Q. Can the kit charge a 12V battery bank or 2 separate 12V battery banks?
A. Generally batteries in the same 12V battery bank should have the same type, capacity and age. In this
case the kit can be used for charging such battery banks, and each 12V battery bank should be treated as
a single battery for the purposes of connection. For example, it is possible to connect 2 x 12V batteries
(wired in parallel
, “+” to “+”,“-” to “-”) to “Battery 1” terminals of the solar controller, and 3 x 12V batteries
wired in parallel to “Battery 2” terminals of the controller.
Q. Is there any risk that the solar kit will overcharge my battery?
A. The solar charge controller has a built-in overcharge protection
– it will ensure that your battery is not
overcharged, by reducing the charging current/voltage to the trickle charge level or stopping the charge
completely when the battery is full. However it is your responsibility to make sure that your battery size
and capacity can accept the maximum charging current from the solar panel.
Q. My battery gets charged quickly but does not last very long. I think the solar kit undercharges it?
A. No, this is not a kit problem. Most likely your battery is at the end of its useful life so the capacity has
shrunk. Consider replacing it with our special AGM or gel deep cycle batteries (see Appendix 1).
Q. Does the kit produce less power in the winter than in the summer?
A. If the daytime gets shorter in the winter, the total output of the solar kit will reduce proportionally. In
addition, the kit would produce significantly less energy on a dark cloudy day compared to a bright sunny
day. The output of the solar kit is proportional to the amount of light falling on the solar panel surface.
