SOLAR CONTROLLER
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© 2020 Go Power!
1.0
Solar Controller Overview
1.1
Introduction
A Solar Controller (or Charge Controller / Regulator) is an essential component
of your photovoltaic solar system. The Controller maintains the life of the battery
by protecting it from overcharging. When your battery has reached a 100% state
of charge, the Controller prevents overcharging by limiting the current flowing into
the batteries from your solar array.
The solar controller used in the DURALITE-100 kit features an LCD digital
display that shows the charge current of the solar array, system battery voltage
and battery state of charge.
1.2
System Voltage and Current
This controller is intended for use at 12 VDC system voltage and is rated for a
maximum continuous DC input current of 37.5A and input voltage of 35VDC.
Per National Electrical Code (NEC) article 690.7 and 690.8, PV module
nameplate ratings must be multiplied by required values (typically 1.25 for both
voltage and current) to obtain the maximum voltage and continuous current
available from the module.
Applying NEC factors, the maximum allowable nameplate PV Panel rated Isc is
30A (30A x 1.25 = 37.5A), and the maximum voltage, Voc is 28VDC (28VDC x
1.25 = 35VDC).
The voltage and current ratings of all equipment connected to PV panels must be
capable of accepting the voltage and current levels available from PV panels
installed in the field.
1.3
Battery Type
This solar controller is suitable for use with lead acid batteries (vented, GEL, or
AGM* type) as well as some lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO
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) batteries that are
supplied with a Battery Management System (BMS).
*Use the Sealed battery profile for AGM
1.4
Regulatory Information