Operating manual
Solar charge controller
10.10 A / 8.8 A / 6.6 A
Please read these instructions completely before installation!
1. About this manual
These operating instructions are part of the product. Read these operating instructions
carefully before use, keep them over the entire lifetime of the product, and pass them on to
any future owner or user of this product.
This manual describes the installation, function, operation and maintenance of the solar
charge controller. These operating instructions are intended for end customers.
A technical expert must be consulted in cases of uncertainty.
2. Safety
The solar charge controller may only be used in PV systems for charging and controlling
lead-acid batteries in accordance with this operating manual and the charging
specifications of the battery manufacturer.
The solar charge controller may only be connected to the local loads and the battery by
trained personnel and in accordance with the applicable regulations. Follow the installation
and operating instructions for all components of the PV system.
No energy source other than a solar generator may be connected to the solar charge
controller. Follow the general and national safety and accident prevention regulations.
Keep children away from PV systems. Do not use the solar charge controller in dusty
environments, in the vicinity of solvents or where inflammable gases and vapours can
occur. No open fires, flames or sparks in the vicinity of the batteries. Ensure that the room
is adequately ventilated. Check the charging process regularly.
Follow the charging instructions of the battery manufacturer. Battery Acid splashes on skin
or clothing should be immediately rinse with plenty of water. Seek medical advice.
Do not operate the solar charge controller when it does not appear to function at all. The
solar charge controller or connected cables are visibly damaged or loose. In these cases
immediately remove the solar charge controller from the solar modules and battery.
3. Functions
The solar charge controller monitors the state of charge of the battery bank, controls the
charging process, controls the connection/disconnection of loads. This optimises battery
use and significantly extends its service life.
The following protection functions are part of the basic function of the controller:
Overcharge protection ; Deep discharge protection ; Battery undervoltage protection ; Solar
module reverse current protection.
4. Installation
4.1 Mounting location requirements
Do not mount the solar charge controller outdoors or in wet rooms. Do not subject the solar
charge controller to direct sunshine or other sources of heat. Protect the solar charge
controller from dirt and moisture.
Mount upright on the wall (concrete) on a non-flammable substrate. Maintain a minimum
clearance of 10 cm below and around the device to ensure unhindered air circulation.
Mount the solar charge controller as close as possible to the batteries (with a safety
clearance of at least 30 cm).
4.2 Fastening the solar charge controller
Mark the position of the solar charge controller fastening holes on the wall.
Drill 4 Ø 6 mm holes and insert dowels. Fasten the solar charge controller to the wall with
the cable openings facing downwards, using 4 oval head screws M4x40 (DIN 7996).
4.3 Connection
Use an wire size suited to the current ratings of the charge controller, e.g. 6mm² for 10A, 5
mm² for 8A, 4 mm² for 6A, 3 mm² for 5A for cable length of 10 m.
An additional external 20A fuse (not provided) must be connected to the battery connection
cable, close to the battery pole. The external fuse prevents cable short circuits.
Solar modules generate electricity under incident light. The full voltage is present, even
when the incident light levels are low. Protect the solar modules from incident light during
installation, e.g. cover them.
Never touch not isolated cable ends. Use only insulated tools. Ensure that all loads to be
connected are switched off. If necessary, remove the fuse.
Connections must always be made in the sequence described below.
1st step: Connect the battery
Connect the battery connection cable with the
correct polarity to the middle pair of terminals
on the solar charge controller (with the battery
symbol).
If present, remove any external fuse. Connect
battery connection cable A+ to the positive
pole of the battery. Connect battery
connection cable A– to the negative pole of
the battery. Insert the external fuse in the
battery connection cable.
If the connection polarity is correct, the info
LED illuminates green.
2nd step: Connect the solar module
Ensure that the solar module is protected from incident light (cover it or wait for night).
Ensure that the solar module does not exceed the maximum permissible input current.
First connect the M+ solar module connection cable to the correct pole of the left pair of
terminals on the solar charge controller (with the solar module symbol), then connect the
M– cable. Remove the covering from the solar module.
3rd step: Connect loads
First connect the L+ load cable to the correct pole of the right pair of terminals on the solar
charge controller (with the lamp symbol), then connect the L– cable. Insert the load fuse or
switch on the load.
Notes :
Connect loads that must not be deactivated by the solar charge controller deep
discharge protection, e.g. emergency lights or radio connection, directly to the battery.
Loads with a higher current consumption than the device output can be directly connected
to the battery. However, the solar charge controller deep discharge protection will no longer
intervene. Loads connected in this manner must also be separately fused.
4th step: Final work
Fasten all cables with strain relief in the direct vicinity of the solar charge controller
(clearance of approx. 10 cm).
5. LED displays
LED
Status
Meaning
illuminates green
normal operation
Info LED
flashes slowly red*
system fault
- too high charging current
- overload / short circuit
- overheated
together with red LED :
- too low battery voltage
together with green LED :
- too high battery voltage
flashing quickly*
battery empty, low voltage disconnection
prewarning, loads still on
Battery
red
LED
flashing slowly*
deep discharge protection active (LVD), loads
disconnected
illuminates
battery weak, loads are on
Battery
yellow
LED
flashes slowly yellow*
LVD reconnection setpoint has not yet been
reached, loads still disconnected
illuminates
battery good
Battery
green
LED
flashes quickly green*
battery full, charge regulation active
*flashing slowly: 0,4Hz: 4 times in 10 second, flashing quickly: 3Hz: 3 times in 1 second
6. Grounding
The components in stand-alone systems do not have to be grounded – this is not standard
practice or may be prohibited by national regulations (e.g.: DIN 57100 Part 410: Prohibition
of grounding protective low voltage circuits). Ask your dealer for technical assistance.
7. Lightning protection
In systems subjected to an increased risk of overvoltage damage, we recommend
installing additional lightning protection / overvoltage protection to reduce dropouts.
Ask your dealer for technical assistance.
8. Maintenance
The solar charge controller is maintenance-free.
All components of the PV system must be checked at least annually, according to the
specifications of the respective manufacturers. Ensure adequate ventilation of the cooling
element. Check the cable strain relief. Check that all cable connections are secure. Tighten
screws if necessary. Check corrosion on terminals.
9. Faults and remedies
No display : Check battery polarity and external fuse. Or battery voltage is too low or
battery defective.
Battery is not charged : Check if solar modul is connected with correct polarity or if short
circuit at the solar input. If solar module voltage is lower than battery voltage or if solar
module is defective the battery cannot be charged.
Battery displays jumps quickly : Battery voltage changes quickly. Large pulse currents
cause voltage fluctuation. Battery is too small or defective. Ask your dealer for technical
assistance.
The following faults do not destroy the controller if they occur singly. After correcting the
fault, the device will continue to operate correctly:
* solar module short circuits
* reverse solar module polarity
*2
* short circuits at load output
* excessive load current
* reversed battery polarity
*1
* solar module overcurrent
* device overtemperature
* overvoltage at the load output
10. Legal guarantee
According to the German legal requirements, for this product the customer has a 2 year
legal guarantee.
The seller will remove all manufacturing and material faults that occur in the product during
the legal guarantee period and affect the correct functioning of the product. Natural wear
and tear does not constitute a malfunction.
Legal guarantee does not apply if the fault can be attributed to third parties, unprofessional
installation or commissioning, incorrect or negligent handling, improper transport, excessive
loading, use of improper equipment, faulty construction work, unsuitable construction
location or improper operation or use.
Legal guarantee claims shall only be accepted if notification of the fault is provided
immediately after it is discovered. Legal guarantee claims are to be directed to the seller.
The seller must be informed before legal guarantee claims are processed.
For processing a legal guarantee claim an exact fault description and the invoice / delivery
note must be provided. The seller can choose to fulfil the legal guarantee either by repair or
replacement.
If the product can neither be repaired nor replaced, or if this does not occur within a
suitable period in spite of the specification of an extension period in writing by the
customer, the reduction in value caused by the fault shall be replaced, or, if this is not
sufficient taking the interests of the end customer into consideration, the contract is
cancelled. Any further claims against the seller based on this legal guarantee obligation, in
particular claims for damages due to lost profit, loss-of-use or indirect damages are
excluded, unless liability is obligatory by German law.
11. Technical Data
Steca Solsum F
6.6F
8.8F
10.10F
Characterisation of the operating performance
System voltage
12 V (24 V)
Own consumption
< 4 mA
DC input side
Open circuit voltage solar module
(at minimum operating temperature)
< 47 V
Module current
6 A
8 A
10 A
DC output side
Load current
6 A
8 A
10 A
End of charge voltage
13.9 V (27.8 V)
Boost charge voltage
14.4 V (28.8 V)
Reconnection voltage (SOC / LVR) *³
> 50 % / 12.4 V … 12.7 V
(24.8 V … 25.4 V)
Deep discharge protection (SOC / LVD) *³
< 30 % / 11.2 V … 11.6 V
(22.4 V … 23.2 V)
Operating conditions
Ambient temperature
-25 °C … +50 °C
Fitting and construction
Terminal (fine / single wire)
4 mm
2
/ 6 mm
2
- AWG 12 / 9
Degree of protection
IP 32
Dimensions (X x Y x Z)
145 x 100 x 24 mm
Weight
approx. 150 g
*1
Solsum is protected against reverse battery polarity together with polarity protected
loads. Reverse battery polarity combined with short circuited or polarised load could
cause damages in load or regulator
*2
The reverse-polarity protection of the solar module in a 24 V system is only provided
up to an open-circuit module voltage of 36 V.
*3
Lower value for nominal current, higher value for lowest current
Info LED
Battery LEDs
Manufactured in a
DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 facility
730930 | Z03.1 | 2012-10-16
