The SC-2030 Solar Charger, working with the TM-2030 battery monitor
has unusual benefits that can extend the life of your battery system.
When designing the SC-2030 we checked many battery company websites, and
spoke with experts in their companies to find out what they recommend
for charging before we designed it. Many solar charge controllers have
very limited ability to adjust–a few even charge with voltage that is
lower than what any battery company recommends.
As a result of this research we’ve added two unusual features to
insure that batteries are not damaged by over or under charging:
1. Amp hour counting: During a discharge period it measures
precisely the amount of previous discharge, and then when recharging
adds back the same amount plus an additional measured percentage of
charge: for liquid electrolyte lead acid batteries about 110-120%–or for
AGM types about 104-109%.
2. Also unusual in chargers, but frequently now recommended to
maintain battery capacity is an extra higher voltage “mini equalization”
finishing stage. During the last part of the charge it can increase
charging voltage (at a regulated low current value) to avoid undercharge
during a limited solar day. (This is sometimes called “IUI” charging.)
To match any battery type it has 8 adjustable charging parameters.
To make installing these values easy, select one of 18 “battery profiles”
which will automatically install all these values for your particular
batteries. After doing this, experts with special requirements may
modify any of these.
All this is controlled by the TM-2030 Battery Monitor located in
your living area–connected with a common phone cable to the SC-2030
usually located near the batteries. So in addition to high quality
charging you also get all the benefits of the TM-2030 monitoring system:
volts, battery amps, solar amps, replaced percent of charge compared to
previous discharge, extra unused solar power, battery temperature and
more.
The SC-2030 uses “PWM” (“pulse width modulation”) technology, which
requires that it be used with what are often described as “12 Volt” (or
“24 volt”) solar panels for good efficiency. Some have asked why we used
this instead of newer “MPPT” technology for this charger. We explain
this in a “Frequently Answered Question” on this web site. If you’re
curious, go to the top of this page to “Support,” then “Frequently
Answered Questions,” question C.1.
Here are more attributes of the SC-2030 Solar Charger
● High efficiency charging at lower cost than MPPT chargers–but for
good efficiency must be used only with “12V” or “24V” (about 17 or 35
volt Vpp-max power point) solar panels for high efficiency. These are
usually described as “12 volt” or “24 volt” panels. Other type panels
require a more expensive MPPT type charger for high efficiency.
● For 12 or 24 V battery systems: AGM, Gel or Liquid Electrolyte batteries.
● Up to 30 amps maximum solar current. Charger will safely reduce output if panel current exceeds 31 amps.
● Optional Temperature compensation if temperature sensor is used.
● Small size: 3 x 5 1/4 x 2 3/4 inches; 7.6 X 13.3 X 7 cm.
● Easy programming for charging your batteries: In most cases
entering all data is accomplished by selecting the appropriate charging
profile for your type of batteries and then entering your battery
capacity.
● If TM-2030 disconnected: charger still functions–but at the level of simpler charge controllers
(