UNITECK UNISOLAR 10.24S PWM Solar Charge Controller Instruction Manual

UNITECK UNISOLAR 10.24S PWM Solar Charge Controller

QUICK START

1. External temperature sensor
   • Solar energy (photovoltaic panel):
   • Steady light, panel does supply current
   • Blinking light, panel overvoltage
2. Battery status:
   • Blinking green: Full battery
   • Green: charging
   • Red: battery deeply discharged
3. Battery selection:
   • AGM: sealed lead-acid battery, maintenance-free, VRLA…
   • Gel: Gel cell battery
   • Liquid: liquid electrolyte battery (with plug)
4. Command button/switch:
   • Battery selection: push 5 seconds -then selection 1 sec.
5. Solar panel connection (Voc<50V)
6. Battery connection (12V ou 24V)

Dear customer, thank you for purchasing one of our Uniteck products. Please read all the instructions carefully and thoroughly before using the product.

UNISOLAR 10.24S / 20.24S
Unisolar is a solar charge controller for autonomous photovoltaic system.
Through its integrated microprocessor, Unisolar regulates the charging current coming from the panel towards the battery depending on:

• the ambient temperature (temperature sensor integrated)
• the charge level of the battery (ALGOTECK load curve)
• the battery’s technology (Gel/Liquid/AGM)

With its PWM technology, it ensures an optimal charge quality of 12V or 24V batteries. It extends their lifespan and optimizes the output of your solar installation. Unisolar perfectly recharges any lead-acid batteries up to 100%:

• Liquid electrolyte
• Gel-cell (GEL)
• AGM (maintenance-free)

INSTALLATION

FIXING
Unisolar has been designed for an indoor use. It incorporates an external temperature sensor which adjusts the load voltage according to the ambient temperature for an optimal load (refer to the protection part for more details). Installing it near the battery is recommended. Fixing the solar charge controller can be made:

• On a solid, stable and dry appropriate flat surface, thanks to 4 screws (not provided)

For a complete integration of your solar charge controller in your environment, Unisolar 10.24S and 20.24S give you the possibility to pass the wiring through a partition wall.

• Standard wiring

• Bulkhead adapter wiring
  

• Wall mounting

CONTROL BEFORE CONNECTION
Before connection, please consult the following element:

• BATTERY
  Unisolar has an automatic voltage detection. For its correct functioning, please check:

  • If the battery voltage is higher than 6V (required voltage for the startup of the solar charge controller)

  • For 24V batteries, that the voltage is not lower than 18V.

  • For flooded batteries, check the electrolyte level. If necessary, complete before charging.

  • For coupling, proceed as follows:
    Tips:

  • In case of parallel connection, favour diagonal wiring for a standardization of the charge/discharge Prefer a high-capacity battery to 2 small connected in parallel, for equal capacity.

• PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL
  Check that the photovoltaic panel’s power does not exceed the power rating of the solar charge controller. Do not connect solar panels whose voltage is higher than 50V.

CONNECTION
Connect each component to the symbols added next to each relay (cables not included).
Please follow the connection order in accordance with the polarities. In case of non-compliance, your solar charge controller as well as your battery may be damaged.

1. Connect your battery to the solar charge controller (+ and -) Battery indicator lights on.
2. Select your battery technology:
   • Press and hold the switch for 5 seconds, the active light flickers
   • Select your battery’s technology by pressing the button
   • Liquid: Open lead/acid liquid battery
   • Gel: Gel battery
   • AGM: Lead battery (maintenance-free), AGM…
   • To confirm your selection, wait for 5 secondes. The light becomes fixed again. Unisolar memorises your last setup.
3. Connect your photovoltaic panel to the solar charge controller (+ and -).

In case of disconnection, follow the opposite order.
NB: Grounding of the solar charge controller is not necessary. If you do want ground your installation, always do it on the positive cables.

FUNCTIONNING

CONTROL PANEL

PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL DISPLAY

BATTERY CHARGE DISPLAY

CHARGING PROCESS

STEPS OF THE BATTERY CHARGE SYSTEM
Charging is done in 6 steps:

• Test
  The testing the battery determines on a daily basis the state of health and load of your battery and determines the stages and the levels of charge necessary for the maintenance of your battery.

• Boost
  The charge is in full-strenght load: the Unisolar uses 100% of the energy coming from the solar panel, until the voltage reaches the boost or the equalisation voltage. The battery is then 80% charged.

• Egalisation
  During 2 hours, Unisolar releases a voltage that is constant and regulated. More the battery is charged, more the current decreases (battery nearly full).
  NB: This stage does not occur with Gel batteries. (see: charge curve regulation depending on the battery technology). Indeed, if this stage occurs with this type of battery, there might be a risk of explosion.

• Recondition
  Admixture of the battery to avoid any phenomenon of sulfatation and of stratification (only liquid battery)

• Floating 100%
  The battery charge is complete. The Green “charge” light begins to blink. Unisolar continues to release a very low current to compensate battery self- discharge.

• Life +
  Compensation of the natural auto discharge of the battery with impulse loads for a longer lifespan of the battery.

CHARGE CURVE REGULATION DEPENDING ON THE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
To perfectly recharge all lead acid batteries, Unisolar adapts its load curve according to the ” battery’s technology” previously selected:

• “Liquid” Battery Mode:
  Liquid electrolyte batteries require higher loads to avoid any stratification of the electrolyte. Stratification is a non-homogenous blend of the electrolyte. Acid is concentrated at the bottom and the water at the top (due to its lower density). This phenomenon leads to freezing risks or oxidation of the plates. To avoid this, Unisolar makes (in a liquid batteries mode) an equalisation charge that mixes the electrolyte, which is essential to preserve the lifespan of your battery.

• “AGM” Battery Mode/ “GEL” Battery Mode :
  Lead batteries (AGM or GEL) require a precise control of the charge voltage to avoid bleeding phenomenons. Bleeding is an electrochemical reaction that leads to the release of oxygen and hydrogen gases inside the battery when the battery voltage reaches a point named “gasification voltage”. This voltage changes according to the type of the batteries (AGM or GEL). Depending on the selected mode, Unisolar releases a voltage level adapted to the technology of your battery for a recharge up to 100%.

Regulation by external/outside temperature
Chimical characteristics of the battery vary depending on the ambient temperature. With its external temperature sensor, Unisolar adapts its charge voltage precisely in relation with the reference temperature of 25°C, of +/- 30mV (+/-60mV – 24V by °C), which avoids overloads and under loads.

INTEGRATED PROTECTIONS

For a safe use, Unisolar has several protections that preserve the solar charge controller, the battery and the consumers in output:

• Panel polarity reversal protection,
• Protection against panel short-circuits,
• Protection against reversed current: prevents reversed current towards the solarpanel during the night.
• Battery polarity reversal protection,
• Thermal protection.

ANOMALIES, CAUSES, REMEDIES

battery voltage, recharge it if necessary.
Battery polarity reversal| Check connections
Battery connection problem (cables, terminals…)
Defective battery| Replace your battery, following the disconnection and connection order (see installation and connection)
| | Solar panel disconnected, not properly connected, or short circuit| Check connections (polarity and connection)
| Panel light turned off while sun is present| Normal functionning:

The panel voltage is lower than the battery voltage or too low sunshine.

| The panel gets its charge back as soon as the panel voltage is higher than the battery voltage.
| | One or several cells of your panel are hidden.| Check if your panel is clean and make sure none of the cells are hidden.
| Blinking panel light (green)| Battery overvoltage| Disconnect the solar panel, then make sure the battery is not in a overvoltage state or that the voltage of your battery coupling does not exceed the voltage accepted by the solar charge controller (12V/24V)
| Orange charge light| Battery discharged| Usual charge, light turns green as soon as the battery is charged.
Error message| Causes| Solution
---|---|---
| Red charge light.

Consumers are cut (12/24V light off).

| Battery deeply discharged.| Usual behaviour: Light turns green as soon as the battery is charged.
| Battery lights:

– AGM,

– Gel

–  Liquid

Blinking simultaneously

| Thermal protection: internal solar charge controller temperature exceeds 85°C.

Solar charge controller in a protection state. Charge and consumers are cut

| Wait the end of the cooling- off period (<75°C) Control the source of the overheating (mounting location, other heat sources). Provide an adequate ventilation to the solar charge controller

As soon as the solar charge controller gets back to its normal functionning temperature, it will restart automatically.

WARNINGS ADVICE

• Unisolar is designed to be exclusively used with photovoltaic systems and lead acid batteries with liquid electrolyte, gel cells (Gel) or sealed AGM.
• Do not attempt under any circumstances to charge other batteries than acid-lead batteries (non-rechargeable batteries for example).
• Use Unisolar in a well-ventilated area, sheltered from rain, humidity, dust and condensation.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety procedures of the battery. In case of doubt, consult your retailer or installer.
• Batteries can produce flammable gas. Avoid flames, sparks.
• During battery maintenance (except GEL), there is a risk of acid leaks: protect yourself.
• Never short circuit + and – of the battery or cables: risk of explosion or fire.
• Maintenance: check the wiring and all connections at least once a year.
• All tasks must be realised in compliance with the country regulations in force regarding electricity.
• This device is not designed to be used by people (including children) whose physical, sensory or mental abilities are reduced, nor by people lacking of experience or knowledge unless they have benefited of supervision or prior instructions concerning the use of the device given by a person responsible for their safety.
• Please keep an eye on children to ensure that they do not play with the device.

PICTOGRAMS

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

| Unisolar 10/24S| Unisolar 20/24S
---|---|---
S YSTEM| |
Battery voltage| 12V (6 – 2V elements)

24V (12 – 2V elements)

Nominal charging current| 10A| 20A
Compatible panel

– maximum output power

– recommended ltage

| 150W-12V batt 300W-24V batt 17/19V-12V batt. 34/38V-24V batt.| 300W-12V batt 600W-24V batt. 17/19V-12V batt. 34/38V-24V batt.
Technology| PWM| PWM
Protection rating| IP43| IP43
Maximum cable section| 6 mm²| 6 mm²
S OLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER| |
Voltage selection (12/24V)| Automatic detection
Battery type selection| Yes| Yes
Recommanded battery capacity| 10 to 150Ah| 10 to 300 Ah
Temperature Compensation| Yes| Yes
Panel overvoltageprotection| Yes| Yes
MECANICAL CHARACTERISTICS| |
Dimensions (LxHXW)| 120x110x42| 120x110x42
Poids| 200g| 200g
Functionning temperature| -35°C > +55°C
Storage temperature| -35°C > +80°C

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
UNITECK testifies that the solar charge controllers described in this manual : UNISOLAR 10.24S / 20.24S are manufactured in compliance with the following European directives :

• Low voltage directive: 2006/95/CE from 12/12/06.
• EMC directive: 2004/108/CE from 15/12/2004- 03/05/1989.

It complies to the harmonised standards:

• EN 60335-2-29 & EN 55014-1/ EN 55014-2 – EN61000-3-2 – EN61000-3-3 – EN62233

CE-date of tagging: january 2013.

01/01/2013
Société Uniteck
1 Avenue de Rome
Zae Via Europa –
Immeuble le Cassis
34350 Vendres
France
Mail: sav@uniteck.fr
Fax: + 33 (0) 4 88 04 72 20

WARRANTY

Warranty covers any defect, manufacturing defects for 1 year from the date of its purchase (parts and labour).
Warranty does not cover:

• normal wear of parts (Ex.: cables, etc.).
• panel-module/battery voltage errors, incidents due to inappropriate use, fall, disassembly or any damages due to transport.

In case of failure, return the product to your distributor by attaching:

• the dated proof of purchase (receipt, bill…)
• explanatory note of the failure

Caution: Our after-sales service does not accept carriage forward/ collected returns.

After the warranty, our after-sales service ensures repairs after acceptance of a quotation.
After-sales service contact :
Uniteck- 1 Avenue de Rome
Zae Via Europa – bâtiment Cassis
34350 Vendres -France
E-mail: sav@uniteck.fr
Fax: +33 (0)4 88 04 72 20

www.uniteck.fr

References

• Fabricant Français
• Fabricant Français

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