>10cm
> 4
>10cm
> 4
Programmable Solar Charge Controller with Nightlight Function Solara SR170CX, SR340CX
User Manual English, Page 1
Dear Client,
Thank you very much for buying a Solara product. With your new Solara
SRCX controller you own a state-of-the art device which was developed
according to the latest available technical standards. It comes with a
number of outstanding features, like:
nMultifunctional LC display
nProgrammable Low Voltage Disconnect with new ALVD (Adaptive
Low Voltage Disconnect)
nSophisticated programmable nightlight function
nExcess Energy Management (EEM) for better utilization of your solar
system
nComplete electronic protection
This manual gives important recommendations for installing, using and
programming as well as remedies in case of problems with the controller.
Read it carefully in your own interest and mind the safety and usage
recommendations at the end of this manual.
Description of Functions
nThe charge controller protects the battery from being overcharged
by the solar array and from being deep discharged by the loads. The
charging characteristics include several stages which includes
automatic adoption to the ambient temperature.
nThe charge controller adjusts itself automatically to 12V or 24V system
voltage.
nThe pushbutton allows switching the load on and off.
nThe charge controller can be programmed for lighting applications.
nThe controller provides a control output for special loads that make
use of excess energy, like special solar refrigerators. Additionally, it has
a serial interface which can be used with an optional interface
adapter (Solara SRCX -I).
nThe charge controller has a number of safety and display functions.
Mounting and Connecting the Charge Controller
The regulator is intended for indoor use only. Protect it from direct
sunlight and place it in a dry environment. Never install it in humid rooms
(like bathrooms).
The regulator measures the ambient temperature to adopt the
charging voltages, therefore it must be installed in the same room as
the battery.
The regulator warms up during operation. It shall be installed on a non
flammable surface only.
REMARK: Connect the controller by following the steps described below
to avoid installation faults.
1
Open the terminal lid.
2
Remove the screws from the strain relief and take
off the strain relief bridges.
3
Mount the controller to the wall with
screws that fit to the wall material. Use
screws with 4 to 5 mm shaft and max. 9
mm head diameter, no counter sunk.
Mind that the screws have to carry also
the force applied by the wiring.
Mind also the minimum required
distance to floor and ceiling, this is
necessary for ventilation reasons.
A DIN Rail mounting plate is available as
an accessory (Solara SRCX -DR). This
allows mounting the controller on a
standard 35mm DIN rail. Use the screws
supplied with the mounting plate to fix it
to the controller.
4
Connect the wires leading to the battery with
correct polarity. To avoid any voltage on the
wires, first connect the controller, then the battery.
Mind the recommended wire length (min 30 cm
to max approx. 100 cm) and the wire size:
Solara SR170CX: min 2,5 mm²
Solara SR340CX: min 4 mm²
Wrong polarity will cause a permanent warning
sound.
WARNING: If the battery is connected with reverse polarity, the load terminals will
also have the wrong polarity. Never connect loads during this condition!
REMARK: The controller has a built-in voltage drop compensation which
automatically compensates battery wire voltage drops of up to 250 mV.
REMARK: Mind the recommendations of your battery manufacturer. We
strongly recommend connecting a fuse directly to the battery to protect
any short circuit at the battery wiring. The fuse must take the charge
controller nominal current:
Solara SR170CX: 15A, Solara SR340CX: 30A
5
Connect the wires leading to the solar array with
correct polarity. To avoid any voltage on the
wires, first connect the controller, then the solar
array.
Mind the recommended wire size:
Solara SR170CX: min 2,5 mm²
Solara SR340CX: min 4 mm²
REMARK: place positive and negative wire close to each other to
minimize electromagnetic effects.
REMARK: Solar panels provide voltage as soon as exposed to sun light.
Mind the solar panel manufacturer’s recommendations in any case.
66
To avoid voltage at the load terminal, push the
button to shut off the load output. Connect the
wires leading to the loads with correct polarity.
Mind the recommended wire size:
Solara SR170CX: min 2,5 mm²
Solara SR340CX: min 4 mm²
7
Fasten the strain relieves.
8If you intend to use the Excess Energy
Management output, follow these steps:
a. Remove the green terminal block in the
terminal com
partment and turn it upside
down.
b. Mount the excess energy signal wires as
shown in the picture beside.
c. Connect the signal wires to the excess
energy management input of the
appropriate load (e.g. special solar
coolers)
d. Reconnect the green terminal block to
the Solara SRCX
9
Close the terminal lid.
Now you have successfully connected your Solara
SRCX controller.
Grounding the Solar System
Be aware that the positive terminals of the Solara SRCX controller are
connected internally and therefore have the same electrical potential.
If any grounding is required, always do this on the positive wires.
REMARK: If the Solara SRCX is used in a vehicle which has the battery
negative on the chassis, loads and solar panels connected to the
regulator must not have an electric connection to the car body.
Otherwise the overcharge protection, the Low Voltage Disconnect and
the electronic fuse function of the controller is short circuited.
Starting up the Controller
Self Test
As soon as the controller is supplied with power either from the battery
or the solar array, it starts a self test routine. This is indicated first by
running LCD bars for approx. 0.5 seconds, and then the firmware version
is displayed in coded symbols for about another second (this is for
service purposes only). Then the display changes to normal operation.
System Voltage
The controller adjusts itself automatically to 12 V or 24 V system voltage.
As soon as the voltage at the time of start-up exceeds 20.0 V, the
controller implies a 24 V system.
If the battery voltage is not within the normal operation range (approx.
12 to 15.5 V or approx. 24 to 31 V) at start-up, a status display according
to the section ERROR DESCRIPTION occurs.
Battery Type
The controller is preset to operate with lead acid batteries with liquid
electrolyte. If you intend to use a VRLA battery (GEL type) you can
adjust the controller in Programming Menu 1 (see back page). The
equalization charge is deactivated then. In case of any doubts consult
your dealer.
Recommendations for Use
The regulator warms up during normal operation. If there is insufficient
ventilation (e.g. in an installation cabinet), the controller limits the solar
charge current to prevent overheating.
The regulator does not need any maintenance or service. Remove dust
with a dry tissue.
It is important that the battery gets fully charged frequently (at least
monthly). Otherwise the battery will be permanently damaged.
A battery can only be fully charged if not too much energy is drawn
during charging. Keep that in mind, especially if you install additional
loads.
Display Functions
In normal operation mode the controller displays the state of charge
(available energy) of the battery. Any change of the state of charge
(SOC) to a lower status is additionally signalled acoustically.
System conditions are displayed as follows:
25x5x3x2x
1x
< 10%
Flashes
10...35%35...60%
60...80%> 80%
The percentage corresponds to the available energy until Low Voltage
Disconnect in relation to a fully charged battery.
As long as the solar array supplies enough voltage to charge the
battery, this is indicated by up-moving bars alternately to the state of
charge display.
In normal operation the loads can be switched on and off by pushing
the button. This is indicated in the display:
Special conditions are shown in the LC display if the Low Voltage
Disconnect function shuts off the load output or in case of various other
error conditions. See section ERROR DESCRIPTION for details.
Low Voltage Disconnect Function
The controller has 5 different modes to protect the battery from being
deep discharged:
Mode 1 Disconnect at 11.4 V (at nominal load current) up to 11.9 V
(at no load current). Normal operation mode for good
battery protection.
Mode 2 Disconnect at 11.0 V (at nominal load current) up to 11.75 V
(at no load current). Mode with lower disconnection point.
Battery is cycled deeper, this can shorten battery lifetime.
Mode 3 Disconnect at 11.0 V to 12.2 V depending on load current
and previous charging cycles. This adaptive mode leads to
longer lifetime of the battery because it allows recovery of
the battery by full recharge. Maximum battery life.
Mode 4: Disconnect at 11.5 V fixed setting. Appropriate if bypass loads
draw current directly from battery.
Mode 5: Disconnect at 11.0 V fixed setting. Appropriate if bypass loads
draw current directly from battery. Mode with lower
disconnection point. Battery is cycled deeper, this can
shorten battery lifetime.
The controller is preset to Mode 1 from the factory. Use
Programming Menu 2. to change the setting (see back page).
In case of doubts which mode to choose, consult your dealer because
this has to be evaluated depending on the battery used.
Excess Energy Management Function EEM
The controller provides a built-in excess energy management function.
This function, in combination with especially designed loads (e.g.
special solar refrigerators/coolers), allows to make use of excess energy
which would be lost otherwise because of the overcharge protection of
the battery. A better utilization of the solar system is the benefit. Also the
battery treatment is improved because more energy comes directly
from the solar panel instead of the battery. Ask you dealer about
available loads that can make use of excess energy.
To connect your Excess Energy load with the controller, see picture 8
(signal wires).
Nightlight Function
The Solara SRCX controller comes with a sophisticated nightlight function.
It controls the load output at night and is widely programmable.
There are 2 modes available:
DUSK TO DAWN and EVENING/MORNING. The mode can be selected in
Programming Menu 3.
Light on
Light off
Light off
Light on
Number
of hours
Number
of hours
or or
time to
mid of night
time after
mid of nigh t
Mid of night
If EVENING/MORNING is selected, Programming Menu 5 allows
choosing the MORNING timing behaviour, and Programming Menu 4
allows choosing the EVENING timing behaviour.
Mind that the load output is switched off as soon as the battery has
reached the Low Voltage Disconnect threshold. The Low Voltage
Disconnect has priority above the nightlight function.
“Mid of night”is detected automatically as the middle between dusk
and dawn, no real time setting is required. It may take some days until
the controller has “learnt”midnight. This method can cause some
inaccuracy but avoids any clock readjustment. The controller’s“Mid of
night”can be different from the real time midnight depending on your
location.
