System Operation Manual
SAT-DN-00434, Rev. B
LOBO
2017-05-16
Page 40 of 86
Copyright
2017 Sea-Bird Scientific. All rights reserved.
5.2.2.2
Charge and Load Controller
The Charge and Load Controller (CLC) used by the Power System is a Sunsaver-6L, manufactured by
Morningstar Corporation. The purpose of the CLC is safe and efficient charging of the AGM battery, and to
protect the battery from deep discharge by disconnecting the load if the battery discharges below a
threshold voltage. The CLC is temperature compensated to provide optimal charging of the battery over all
operating conditions. The CLC specifications are summarized below in Table 14.
Table 14: CLC Specifications
Manufacturer
Morningstar Corporation
Model
Sunsaver-6L
Voltage
12 V
Rated Solar Input
6.5 A
Rated Load
6 A
Regulation Voltage
14.1 V nominal
Temperature Compensation
-28 mV/°C
Load Disconnect
11.5 V
Load Reconnect
12.6 V
Operating Temperature
-40 to +85 °C
Dimensions
6” x 2.18” x 1.32”
Weight
8 oz.
5.2.2.3
Lightning Arrestor
To help protect against surges caused by nearby lightning strikes, a DC surge arrestor can be provided. An
image of the arrestor is shown below in Figure 26; please note that the Lightning Arrestor is not shown in
the Figure 25 assembly. The arrestor is mounted inside the battery box, and is wired across the solar panel
input connections of the CLC, with a third wire connected to chassis/earth ground. If the lightning-induced
voltage exceeds a threshold level, the arrestor will start to conduct, effectively shorting the higher voltage
to ground in order to protect the equipment. If the surge is sufficiently strong, the arrestor may be damaged
and will require replacement. The arrestor specifications are summarized below in Table 15.
Figure 26: Lightning Arrestor
Table 15: Lightning Arrestor Specifications
Manufacturer
Delta
