Solar and Battery Charge Guru's ........ next question !
Submitted: Friday, Aug 31, 2007 at 15:39
ThreadID:
49183
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Member - Pedro the One (QLD)
following on from my thread 49182 .... I think ??
I have just acquired this item and I am a bit non-plussed about the difference between this and a solar panel regulator?
!MPG:13!
It was given to me by my bro' with the comment :
well, you know ???
The reasoning was that "the FLOAT indicator kept flashing on and off when connected to his main battery and therefore it's kaput."
Iffen I have it right ..... isn't this what it should be doing, like cycling off and on as it 'floats' or tops up the battery ??
And, for my ignorance enhancement : what are it's primary functions/uses?
Can I use it for say, increasing/adding to my solar panel array?
Any other ??
Again, all comments welcomed
Reply By: Member - Jim - Saturday, Sep 01, 2007 at 18:52
Saturday, Sep 01, 2007 at 18:52
Pedro,
Check for information from the Plasmatronics web site, its Australian. The information should be there or you could contact them by phone.
It is a solar regulator and as its been some time I cannot remember the light sequence, but I believe it would normally behave in a logical way Boost/Charging, Float/Charging, Load on (when no power in) etc.
Regards,
Jim
AnswerID:
259893
Follow Up By: Member - Pedro the One (QLD) - Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:38
Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:38
Thanks Jim .....
Have contacted PlasmaTronics and waiting for the reply.
My secondary question is : This unit is labelled as a Battery Charge Controller PC1210.
The only units shown on the website are labelled as SOLAR Regulators .. .... with Item Nos. PC1212 or PR1210.
Excuse my lack of savvy here but what is the difference between a SOLAR REGULATOR and a BATTERY CHARGE CONTROLLER ??
I am assuming that
mine is an earlier model ??
However, the main question is : If the FLOAT LED is flashing ON and OFF, does this indicate a normal cycling process ........ OR, as the brother thinks ... a FAULT in the unit ??
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Pedro the One (QLD) - Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:51
Sunday, Sep 02, 2007 at 23:51
I haven't yet connected this unit to a panel ..... until I get confirmation or otherwise of a fault ...........
FollowupID:
521473
Follow Up By: Member - Jim - Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 18:21
Monday, Sep 03, 2007 at 18:21
Pedro,
I just did a google and come up with a .pdf file for a PR1210 and I would suspect they are one and the same and as you think maybe an earlier model.
I would just follow the instructions and wire the panel up to the controller and battery.
I would note battery voltage with a multi meter before you start and remember you will need full sun and about 40 degrees of tilt with the panel to see what is happening. Use the multi meter to check the voltages coming from the panel and at the battery as it charges (hopefully).
I would suspect if it is faulty all will be revealed, remember to check the voltage from the panel against the unit itself and then the battery.
Plasmatronics PR1210
Regards,
Jim
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