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1 0-293-1 REV E
The Brat Solar Charge Controller Instructions
Bulk charging (Yellow LED) and depending on settings it would show if loads are on (Blue LED). If an
Error is present the LEDs will indicate the error code (See Error Codes on page 1 0).
Three stage charging:
Stage one, bulk charge -
The Brat sends all available power to the batteries until the bulk voltage
setting is reached.
Stage two, Absorb charge - The Brat holds the batteries at the absorb voltage for two hours as
long as adequate power is available from the panels.
Stage Three, Float charge - The brat holds the batteries at the float voltage as long as adequate
power is available from the panels.
EQ and Auto EQ Charge
*
The Brat holds the batteries at the EQ voltages listed on page 8 for two hours as long as enough
power is available from the panels. This is a form of controlled overcharge that allows the cells of the
batteries to become more equally charged. Refer to your battery manufacturers recommendation for
equalizing your batteries and expect to be adding water afterward.
Auto EQ
* when enabled (Switch S1 -7 in the up position).
After thirty days of operation The Brat will attempt an EQ cycle. The Auto EQ cycle starts after The Brat
completes Absorb charging and is ready to go to Float.
If The Brat does not complete Absorb charging at this time it will wait until it does complete Absorb
charging to start AUTO EQ. That may be later on the same day or in subsequent days.
If the full EQ cycle does not complete The Brat will try to complete the cycle the next day, but only the
next day. If Auto EQ is not complete at this point the day counter will reset and try again in thirty days.
*EQ and Auto EQ charge are only available for flooded batteries.
Attempting to EQ or Auto EQ a sealed battery is disabled to prevent damage to the batteries.
Lighting/Load Controller
The Brat has an output for controlling lights or other loads up to 1 0 amps.
The loads run from the battery and will be at the same voltage as your system battery.
It can be used to turn lights on or off at dusk or dawn and run for various amounts of times.
See the
lighting modes
,
Solar Clock
and
wiring diagram
sections in this manual.
The lighting/Load controller also protects your battery from excessive discharge by disconnecting
loads.
There are two setpoints to choose from for low voltage Disconnect (LVD).
Shallow discharge disconnects the loads earlier leaving a higher level of charge.
Deep discharge is meant to allow using all available power but still protecting your battery from
damage. Loads will automatically restart when the voltage returns to the reconnect level.
Low Voltage Disconnect:......................... 1 2V Setting........................24VSetting
Light/Shallow discharge...........................11 .7V................................. 23.4
Deep Discharge.......................................11 .0V................................. 22.0V
Reconnect .............................................. 1 2.6V................................. 25.2V