SPECIALTY CONCEPTS Mark III/ 15 (SC3/ 15) Photovoltaic Battery Charge Controller Installation & Operation Manual SPECIALTY CONCEPTS, INC. 8954 Mason Ave. Chatsworth, Ca 91311 USA Copyright 9 / 1997 Specialty Concepts, Inc. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Specialty Concepts Mark III/15 (SC3/15) is a battery charge controller and system monitoring unit designed for use in mobile or stationary photovoltaic (PV) energy systems.
SPECIFICATIONS SC3/ 15 CHARGE REGULATION • 15 amp charge current, 12 volt • Switching shunt, pulse charging • Adjustable charging set-points • Temperature compensation (option) LOW VOLTAGE LOAD DISCONNECT (LVD) (option) • 10 amp LVD Relay MONITORING • Battery voltage meter with colored scale • Solar panel current meter • “CHARGING” light FEATURES DESIGN FEATURES • 100% solid state charge control • Designed for rugged mobile use • Over-current protection - Battery fuse • Reverse leakage protection Blockin
RELATED SYSTEM EQUIPMENT The SC3/15 is an integral part of a solar electric power system that includes a PV solar array, a battery and a load. These items should be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code, and with the instructions provided by the equipment supplier.
INSTALLATION WARNINGS / CAUTIONS WARNING: Electricity, even low voltage electricity, can be dangerous. Installation should be performed by a licensed electrical contractor or other qualified personnel only. The requirements of the U.S. National Electrical Code should be followed. WARNING: Follow all safety precautions of the battery manufacturer. Proper ventilation must be provided for the batteries. Most batteries produce hydrogen gas when charging, which is extremely explosive.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1. MOUNTING CONSIDERATIONS: - The SC3/15 is designed to be mounted flush against a wall. It can be mounted onto a wall by adding the optional knockout box (4x7 BOX). Flush mounting or wall mounting require different installation and mounting considerations. FLUSH MOUNT: The flush mounted unit requires a rectangular cut-out in the mounting surface with sufficient space (2-3 inches) immediately behind to accommodate the controller.
3. LOCATION: - The SC3/15 should be mounted where it can be easily seen and reached to take the best advantage of the metering. Carefully consider how the wires are to be run from the solar panel to the controller, and from the controller to the battery. The SC3/15 should be mounted as close to the battery as possible, and should be mounted on a vertical surface to aid in cooling.
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS (continued) 8. REMOVE POWER FROM BATTERY / PANELS: - Disconnect power from the batteries and panels prior to running the wires to the controller. 9. RUN SYSTEM WIRING: - After disconnecting the power sources, run the wires from the battery and solar panel to the location selected for the controller. WALL MOUNT: Run the array and battery wires into the box through the knockouts, using a 1/2 inch Romex cable clamp for strain relief. 10.
15. RECONNECT BATTERY AND ARRAY POWER 16. OPERATION: - Operation of the charge controller is now fully automatic. If the battery voltage is below the Full Charge Termination set-point (14.4 volts) and power is available from the array, the SC3/15 should start up in the full-charge mode. During operation, it is normal for the unit to feel warm. UNITS WITH OPTION E (LVD): - Resetting the LVD circuit to activate the loads immediately after installation.
FIGURE 1 SC3/15 CONTROLLER SOLAR PANEL ARRAY + Yellow (+) ← + Black (-) Red (+) LOAD A B + Temp.Sensor (Optional) FUSE RATINGS: A = 15 Amp B = Rated for load BATTERY FIGURE 2 SC3/15 CONTROLLER with OPTION E (LVD) SOLAR PANEL ARRAY + Yellow (+) ← + Black (-) LOAD Red (+) White 1 (Com) White 2 (N.C.) White 3 (N.O.) Temp.Sensor (Optional) A C + BATTERY FUSE RATINGS: A = 15 Amp C = Rated for load, up to 10 amps max.
OPERATION The charge regulation aspects of the SC3/15 are completely automatic. No user interface is required after installation. This controller will regulate the charging of batteries during conditions of heavy usage, or when left unattended for long periods of time. SWITCHING SHUNT, PULSE CHARGE REGULATION: When in the charge mode, the SC3/15 allows maximum available array current, to flow into the battery through a blocking diode, lighting the "CHARGING" light.
MONITORING The system operation can be monitored by the meters and “CHARGING” light. “CHARGING” LIGHT: The "CHARGING" light will be on when the battery is charging. When the battery is at a low state of charge, the light will be on continuously during the day. When the battery charges up, the light will go out for awhile (until the voltage drops a little) and then will be on again. When the battery is close to full charge, the light will be on for short periods of time, and off for longer.
OPTIONS Options can not be added to finished units. OPTION A - Temperature Compensation: DESCRIPTION: On units equipped with temperature compensation, a small sensor on a ten foot cable is wired into the controller to adjust the charging thresholds according to battery temperature. The rate of compensation is -5mv/°C per battery cell in series from 25° C.
TROUBLE SHOOTING The following section can assist in the troubleshooting of a solar system. Please review the section below titled “HELP NOTES” which lists some common situations with a solar system. Within this section, you may be asked to perform a test using a voltage multi-meter to assist with the diagnosis.
HELP NOTES: (Continued) 9. BAD CONNECTION: PANEL - The panel connection to the controller may be weak or completely out. This may include problems with the connections at the SC3/15 (yellow wire and black wire), both panel connections (“+” or “-”) or fuses and unsoldered crimp connectors in these lines. Also, wire that is too small for the length of the run may cause a voltage drop. (See INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, step #17. CHECK FOR VOLTAGE DROP.) 10.
SC3/15 PROBLEMS: - Refer to this chart and the SC3/15 PROBLEM NOTES (next page) to help diagnose potential problems based on the SC3/15 readings CASE BATTERY METER PANEL METER CHARGE LIGHT OTHER SC3/15 NOTE (Next page) 1 → No Volts (9 on meter) Day/Night → → → → No Volts (9 on meter) Night only See Note 1 (next page) See Note 2 Day time See Note 3 2 3 4 5 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → Voltage 9-12 No amps OFF Voltage 14.7 - 15.
SC3/15 PROBLEM NOTES (from SC3/15 PROBLEMS chart) SC3/15 Note 1 - During the day, no voltage on the voltage meter would suggest one of the following: • A bad connection exists to both the battery and the solar panel (perhaps the black wire of the SC3/15). (See BAD CONNECTION: PANEL (Help Note #9) and BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #10)) • The SC3/15 is defective. SC3/15 Note 2 - At night only, no voltage on the voltage meter would suggest one of the following: • The battery may not be connected.
SC3/15 Note 8 - The panel meter showing no current reading with the “CHARGING” light on would be a result of one of the following: • Low levels of light to the panels or small panel array (output less than 1 amp) • The battery may not be connected. See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #10). • A system problem or wiring problem • The SC3/15 is defective. TEST: Perform the FUSE REMOVAL TEST (above). If the meter moves to the left, suspect a bad connection somewhere or other system problem.
BATTERY PROBLEMS: - Refer to this section to help diagnose potential problems based on battery observations. CASE BATTERY 1 → 2 → SEE NOTE(S) Does not fully charge batteries Seems to be over-charging See Battery Note 1 See Battery Note 2 Battery Note 1 - BATTERY UNDER-CHARGED: If the batteries are not able to be charged sufficiently, consider one of the following problems: • Solar Panels Problem or Bad Connection- Panel may be dirty, not aligned or other problem.
LIMITED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY SPECIALTY CONCEPTS, INC. 1. Specialty Concepts, Inc. warrants all its products for a period of five (5) years from the date of shipment from its factory. This warranty is valid against defects in materials and workmanship for the five (5) year warranty period. It is not valid against defects resulting from, but not limited to: A. Misuse and/or abuse, neglect or accident. B. Exceeding the unit's design limits. C.
