Solar Panel Charge Controller Bench Test

A bench test of how a EPRC PWM charge controller behaves when connected to a 12 or 24 volt battery bank. Included in the video is two Turnegy inline power meters.

One clarification: Near the end I commented on the "loss" in the charge controller. What I didn't realize is that the charge controller was in float mode so it was holding back power to the battery on purpose. During a normal charge essentially all of the solar watts are channeled to the battery - very little loss.

The video was shot with a Casio EX-S12 camera. Video editing was done with Microsoft's Movie maker.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• solar
• solar panel
• charge controller
• battery
• battery bank
• turnegy
• watts up
• electronics
• engineering
• diy
• 12v
• watt meter

[msungs]

Great video. You got another liked. Can you please help me! I would like to connect a junction box with the male and female ends directly into a charge converter (I know my system is redundant and I lose a little current). How do I do this? Is it easier to buy a MC extension cable cut it and hard-wire it directly into the Charge Controller? I am confused how they connect. Greetings from Germany.

[Fearlessthinker]

@msungs Most junction boxes and charge controllers have terminal blocks that let you simply insert the bare wire end. The end is then clamped down with a built in set screw just like shown in this video.

[bison261]

hi could you use this for a small wind turbine say 200/300 watt 12or24 thats about it .....b.....

[Fearlessthinker]

@bison261 @bison261 No. A wind turbine requires a constant load. These controllers disconnect the power source from the batteries when the batteries are full. Also, at even 10 amps that is only 120 watts at 12V. Most people connect the DC from their wind turbine right to the battery and then as the battery becomes full there is a divert controller like a Xantrax C40 to control adding a resistive load to the turbine. See the Windy Nation videos on the C40 and PM me if you have questions.

[odious2000]

Thanks for the review, just bought one of those. I was wondering what does the controller do if a panel puts more amps than the battery can accept on an initial charge? I am setting a very small solar system with a 7ah SLA battery and it can only accept an initial charging current of 2.1 Amp. But, what would happen if i hooked a 80 watt panel(example) to that controller to charge such a small battery? Should the battery be fused to the initial current stated?

[Fearlessthinker]

@odious2000 There should be no problem. Even though the solar panel is more than adequate, the battery will limit the charge rate to a safe level. Once the controller sense the battery if full it will limit the charge rate to the float level. The fuse should be set at or slightly above the max amps of the charger, so 5A/10A.

[dirt4b]

i recently ordered one of those in the 30 amp range. does anyone know if they have a built in blocking diode? i did not see in the decription of the product. if it does or not. i hope it does.

[TheLOK15]

Hi , just bought one of these , but instructions are in chinese.. could you please email me a copy of the instruction manual please? Ive googled for one , but only find images of the actual unit. Thankyou in advance , Lok

Email lockie15@hotmail.com. Thankyou

[bison261]

thanking you for that, there will be others probably asking the same ?Q? so c40 out of my price range but i will keep looking so a BIG THANK YOU .........b........... ps all your vids are very help full as i am new to all this its a great help