waaaaat??

[desert_sailing]

So I bought a kit a few weeks ago and need to get some practice in. I know the kit is not the ideal for many folks here but it is now what I have.

The manual is making no sense regarding the controller functions. I am including the link here to the manual.

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/63000-63999/63585.pdf

Pages 9 and 10 is where it starts and then loses me.

I have a few questions..if somebody wouldn't mind taking a look  and maybe offering what your interpretation is?

On page 9 the first illustration says 13.2 and this displays on the charger when I have power to it... is where I should be setting the charge amount that is going to the battery?  The paperwork for the battery says that the recommended maximum charging current is 10.5 amp. Should I set this here?

Boost... why would I or should I even use this setting? If the max recomended for the battery is 10.5a.. why would I feed it 14.4?.. Am i missing something?

Float??...ok

Low is pretty clear.. I think i got those instructions.

Recovery??  minimum voltage where normal charging can resume?? What forms of abnormal charging are there?

Page 10.

" the different battery types are user mode, sealed, flooded, and gel."  OK... so I put this setting to the type of my battery.. sealed... but what is user mode? Is that when I am drawing exclusively from the panels and NO battery connected?

Temperature ratio???.. seriously... its at -4 now be default i guess but is changeable...

Output duration... ok.. I get that it will shutoff in x amount of hours...but why would I want that to happen??

I figured the instrcutions would have had more meaning to them. I have searched for clarification online and am not finding anything..

I saw an ad for a solar regulator.. I assume the controller works in that capacity?

I really appreciate the time any of you have to help.

Sorry for such a lengthy request. I looked and looked.. and I really need to understand this..time is a ticking.

 

[maki2]

youtube to the rescue...this video goes through the unboxing, the setup and how to hook it up to batteries, connect to an inverter, running a fan, understanding the readouts, etc. Plus he says you can leave questions in the comments and he will try to answer.

 

[jonyjoe303]

The manual is talking about setting the volts, not the amps, for your seal battery it should be 14.4 volts. Bulk (boost) and float voltage are the main ones to worry about. The recovery voltage is when the controller can go back into bulk charge, 12.5 volts are higher is good. When you choose "seal' as your battery, the controller automatically put the default voltages for that battery.

The user setting is only if your using a battery not listed example lithium, and you need to set your own bulk voltage for that battery. Or if you have voltage drop from controller to battery and the "seal" setting isn't getting the battery to 14.4 volts, then you use the "user" setting and increase bulk voltage higher to compensate.

A seal battery can accept as many amps as your controller can put out, but it can not accept more then 14.4 volts, if the voltage is too high maybe 15 volts or higher the battery will vent. Too much voltage will damage the battery, amps won't do any harm to the battery. If the battery is full it won't take any more amps unless you force it by increasing the voltage above 14.4 volts.

I wouldn't even worry about the temp setting unless in cold area.

The output duration, also don't worry about it, it is for the load out, in case your powering a night light etc and you want it to turn on/off at a certain time.



I would definitely get a volt/amp meter so you can measure the volts/amps going into your battery. They cost about 6 dollars and will read up to 10 amps, your 100 watt panels will max out at about 5 amps. This way you can tell if your getting good performance from your system. In my system I consider the volt/amp meter one of the best things to have, just by looking at it I can tell the condition of my battery and whether its sunny/cloudy etc.

LED volt amp meter

 

[desert_sailing]

THANK YOU ALL for taking the time to review the user manual and to respond back. I really appreciate it. I used the battery a little bit so far and really needed to understand those directions so I can safely charge back up. I really didn't want to ruin the system on day one.

Your taking the time is so appreciated!

 

[highdesertranger]

" I really didn't want to ruin the system on day one."

hahaha, it usually about one year to ruin your first set of batteries. so desert sailing you did good by asking. kudos to you.

highdesertranger

 

[desert_sailing]

I just checked the recharge and the controller was flashing an "E" with a full battery icon. I removed the solar panel input and it stopped flashing and instead displayed 13.2v

I assume that the battery is fully charged and the flashing "E" was to let me know it had stopped filling the battery?


We still have many hours of daylight .. so if I were to use an appliance it would leave the battery storage alone and power me from the rays I assume.

I swear I saw a chart or something that showed volt readouts and what amount determines full or semi full or empty..etc...Ill have to take a look again.

13.8v indicates a full 12v battery?

I have a faulty training wheel.

:shy:

 

[highdesertranger]

12.8 = a full 12v battery. but keep in mind there are a lot of variables voltage is a poor indicator of of battery condition. highdesertranger

 

[technerd88]

12.8 = a full 12v battery.  but keep in mind there are a lot of variables voltage is a poor indicator of of battery condition.  highdesertranger

I bet you I'm going longer than you HDR, with my lifepo4 bank   I just wish to share the awesomeness with others, which is why I have 20 amp outlets on the outside of my rig

 

[maki2]

can I park next to you and run my AC off your power supply