ALLTO SOLAR 100W Solar Panel Starter Kit User Manual

ALLTO SOLAR 100W Solar Panel Starter Kit User Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTION

Please read all of the installation instructions carefully before

installing the product. Improper installation will void manufacturer’s warranty. The installation instructions are written as guidelines to assist in installing the system. Please contacts with the email if you are not comfortable installing the product. Prior to using and installing the 100wsolarpanelkits,please read the safety information provided in this user manual. Be sure to use the product as outlined inthis user manual. Altercation or modifications carried out without appropriate authorization may invalidate the user’s right too pate the equipment.

General Safety

Installation and wiring compliance
Installation and wiring must comply with the local and National Electrical Codes and must be done by a certified electrician. Please follow these four steps:

1. Disconnect all power sources before carrying out the installation.
2. Make sure the correct polarity is observed when making connections between the solar panel, charge controller, and battery. Damage due to reverse polarity connection is not covered by warranty.
3. Make sure all wire connections are secured, loose connections may cause sparks.
4. Wear appropriate clothing and safety gear including protective eyewear when performing any electrical installation.

Preventing fire and explosion hazards
Working with electronic/electrical equipment may produce arcs or sparks. Thus, such equipment should not be used in areas where there are flammable materials ör gäsës requiring ignition protected equipment. These areas may include spaces containing gasoline-powered machinery, fuel tanks, and battery compartments.

Precautions when working with batteries

1. Batteries contain very corrosive diluted sulfuric acid as electrolyte. Precautions should be taken to prevent contact with skin, eyes, or clothing.

2. Batteries generate hydrogen and oxygen during charging, resulting in the evolution of an explosive gas mixture.

3. Care should be taken to ventilate the battery area and follow the battery manufacturer’s recommendations. Never smoke or allow a spark or flame near the batteries.

4. Use caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool on the battery. It could spark or short circuit the battery or other
   electrical parts and could cause äñ explosion.

5. Remove metal items such as rings, bracelets, and watches when working with batteries. The batteries can produce a short circuit current high enough to weld a ring or similar object to the metal, causing a severe burm.

6.  If you need to remove a battery, always remove the ground terminal from the battery first. Make sure that all the accessories are off so that you do not cause a spark.

7.  Only üsë properly insulated tools when making battery connections.

Precautions when working with solar panels
With the incidence of sunlight or other light sources on all solar panels, a voltage appears at the output terminals of the solar panel turning it into a source of electricity. To avoid a shock hazard, make sure the solar panel is covered with an opaque (dark) material such as paper or cloth during the installation. Do not make contact with the terminals when the panel is exposed to sunlight or any other light source.

Precautions when working with charge controllers
If two or more solar panels are connected in a series/parallel make sure that the sum of the short circuit current ratings of all panel strings does not exceed 80% of the charge controller’s current rating (i.e. 24A for the 30A charge controller). The open circuit voltage of the solar array (i.e. the maximum voltage across the array) should not exceed 26V when the
12V setting on the charge controller is used.

Routine maintenance

1. Inspect the solar panels and make sure the surfaces are free from dust, dirt, and other debris; clean with a wet cloth or glass cleaner if necessary.
2. Check to make sure all structural components, mechanical fasteners, and electrical connections are secure, clean,
3. Check and maintain the battery electrolyte levels at regular intervals as per the battery manufacturer’s recommendations if flooded wet cell lead acid batteries are used.
4. Check and replace damaged components if necessary.

General Information

MPPT Technology

The MPPT Charge Controller utilizes Maximum Power Point Tracking technology to extract maximum power from the solar module(s). The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and does not require user adjustment. MPPT technology will track the array’s maximum power point voltage (Vmp) as it varies with weather conditions, ensuring that the maximum power is harvested from the array throughout the course of the day.

Current Boost
In many cases, the MPPT charge controller will “boost” up the current in the solar system. The current does not come out of thin air. Instead, the power generated in the solar panels is the same power that is transmitted into the battery bank. Power is the product of Voltage (V) x Amperage (A)

Current vs. Voltage (12V System)

Output Power(12V System)

Limiting Effectiveness
Temperature is a huge enemy of solar modules. As the environmental temperature increases, the operating voltage (Vmp) is reduced and limits the power generation of the solar module. Despite the effectiveness of MPPT technology, the charging algorithm will possibly not have much to work with and therefore there is an inevitable decrease in performance. In this scenario, it would be preferred to have solar panels with higher nominal voltage(refer to Section 3.3.2 for more details about multiple solar panels parallel and series configuration), so that despite the drop in performance of the panel, the battery is still receiving a current boost because of the proportional drop in module voltage.

Optional Components-Not Included

100W Solar Panel-Add on

Remote Display

DC-AC Inverter

Mounting Z-brackets

Adjustable Flat Mounting Brackets

Adjustable Pole Mounting Brackets

Installation Installation
In this section, we will show the basic 12V connections for off-grid systems that use 20A MPPT charge controller controller, 100W solar panel and 12V battery and cable adapters. Please follow them thoroughly. Refer to Section 4.0 for 24V battery configuration or Section 3.3.2 for multiple PV arraysconfiguration.

Configuration Introduce
A PV system is made up of different components. These include PV modules (groups of PV cells), which are commonly called PV panels; one or more batteries; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility- grid-connected system and when alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a framework

Fusing

Fusing is recommended in PV systems to provide a safety measure for connections going from panel to controller and controller to battery. Remember to always use the recommended wire gauge size based on the PV system and the controller.

Note: The NEC code requires the overcurrent protection shall not exceed 15A for 14AWG, 20A for 12 AWG, and 30A for 10AWG copper wire.

Fuse from Controller to Battery

Controller to Battery Fuse = Current Rating of Charge Controller Ex. 20A MPPT CC = 20A fuse from Controller to Battery

Before starting the connection, keep in mind the following:

• The charge controller should be as close as possible to the batteries. This helps keep line loss to a minimum level. Remember to always use the recommended gauge size based on the PV system and charge controller. The battery supply must be protected by a fuse as per below table.
• This is also the case even if the solar charger has already been been equipped with an external fuse.

Maximum Current for different copper wire sizes

When connecting a solar panel to the charge controller, please ensure that the same type of panel or panel array is used. Please note the following.

• The nominal PV voltage should be at least 5V higher than the battery voltage.
• The maximum open circuit PV voltage can not exceed 100V. Failure to obey this rule may result in the controller damage or catching fire.
• The boost charge current will be regulated to below 20A if it is over the max capacity of the controller…

Charge Controller Installation

STEP 1-Choose Mounting Location
place the controller on a vertical surface protected from direct sunlight, high temperatures, and water. Make sure there is good ventilation.

STEP 2 – Mounting
Measure the distance between each mounting hole on the charge controller, Align the Rovers mounting holes with screws

STEP 3 – Wiring
Connect battery terminal wires to the charge controller and tighten the screw terminals, Connect temp sensor cable to charge controller.

STEP 4 – Mode Choosing
The LCD screen will illuminate and display battery voltage once battery is recognized. Push mode button to cycle battery types.

How to Set mode
The charge controller has 6 modes: 12V, 12V AGM, 12V Lithium; 24V, 24V AGM, 24V Lithium, It is important to understand the differences and purpose of each charge mode. Always check with battery manufacturer to confirm the right charge mode for your specific battery. Below is a brief description.

Maintenance-Free and Calcium batteries. When selected, the 12V LED will illuminate
12V AGM| For charging 12-volt AGM batteries. When selected, the 12V AGM LED will illuminate.
12V Lithium| For charging 12-volt lithium-ion batteries, including lithium iron phosphate. When selected, the 12V Lithium LED will illuminate.
24V| For charging 24-volt Wet Cell, Gel Cell, Enhanced Flooded, Maintenance-Free and Calcium batteries. When selected, the 24V LED will illuminate
24V AGM| For charging 24-volt AGM batteries. When selected, the 24V AGM LED will illuminate.
24V Lithium| For charging 24-volt lithium-ion batteries, including lithium iron phosphate. When selected, the 24V Lithium LED will illuminate.

Cautions

Use 12V or 24V
Lithium mode with extreme care, this mode should only be used with 12V or 24Vlithiumbatteriesthat have a built-in battery management system(BMS). Lithium-ion batteries are made and construction different was and some may or may not contain a battery management system(BMS). Consult the lithium battery manufacturer before charging. Some lithium-ion battery may be unstable and unsuitable for charging. 2. Never use 24V mode to charge 12v battery, otherwise, it will cause irreparable damage to battery.

Three Stages of Charging
The 20A MPPT charge controller has a 3-stage battery charging algorithm for a rapid, efficient, andsafe battery charging. They include: Bulk Charge, Absorption, Float Charge. These LEDs respectively indicate the charge stages, but are also used to indicate other charge situations. See below charts to help you understand the situations.

LED Indicators

| Bulk| Absorption| Float|
---|---|---|---|---
| Indicator| Indicator| Indicator| Indications
| Blink Green| Off| Off| Indicating charge controller is currently under bulk charging stage.
| | | | Indicating charge controller is currently
| Off| Blink Green| Off| under absorption charging stage.
LED Status| | | |
| | | | Indicating charge controller is currently
| Off| Off| Blink Green| under float charging stage.
| Solid Green| Solid Green| Solid Green| Indicating battery is fully charged.

Three Stages Charging

Bulk Stage: This algorithm is used for day to day charging. It uses 100% of available solar power to recharge the battery and is equivalent to constant current, the initial bulk charging stage delivers the maximum allowable current into the solar battery to bring it up to a state of charge of approximately 80 to 90%. In this stage the battery voltage has not yet reached constant voltage, the controller operates in constant current mode, delivering its maximum current to the batteries (MPPT Charging).

Absorption Stage : When Bulk Charging is complete and the battery is about 80% to 90% charged, absorption charging
is applied. During Absorption Charging, constant-voltage regulation is applied but the current is reduced as the solar batteries approach a full state of charge. This prevents heating and excessive battery gassing. At the end of Absorption Charging, the battery is typically at a 98% state of charge or greater. When the battery reaches the constant voltage set point, the controller will start to operate in absorption charging mode, where it is no longer MPPT charging. The current will drop gradually.

Float Stage: Float charging, sometimes referred to as “trickle” charging occurs after Absorption Charging when the battery has about 98% state of charge. Then, the charging current is reduced further so the battery voltage drops down to the Float voltage. The Float charge of a battery keeps the battery at maximum capacity throughout the day.. Once the battery is fully charged, there will be no more chemical reactions and all the charge current would turn into hoat or gas.

Because of this, the charge controller will reduce the voltage charge to smaller quantity, while lightly charging the battery. The purpose for this is to offset the power consumption while maintaining a full battery storage capacity. In the event that a load drawn from the battery exceeds the charge current, the controller will no longer be able to maintain the battery to a Float set point and the controller will end the float charge stage and refer back to bulk charging.

Main Menu and Error Indicators
This MPPT charge controller comes with user friendly interface, is very simple to operate. Simply connect the batteries. and the controller will automatically determine the battery voltage. The controller comes equipped with an LCD screen and mode button to push cycle battery types. And the visual error indicator helps to quickly identify potential problems quickly.

Step-4 : Once the fuse holder is in place,
don’t attach a fuse just yet. Connect the bare stranded portion of the cable to the positive (+) solar terminal on the charge controller. Ensure that all connections are made properly, and that there are not any loose connections present. Finally, insert the fuse into the fuse holder and remove the protective cloth. If there is enough sunlight present, the controller will start charging the battery.

Main Menu

1. Solar Panel Current
2. Solar Panel Voltage
3. Battery Current Voltage
4. Boost Charge Current

Error Indicator

Note: there is no way to cycle battery type once charging is activated

Solar Panel Installation
Once the battery is connected to the charge controller and the panel(s) are positioned and mounted in the desired location, we are ready to connect the panel to the charge controller. Panel should be mounted in a place that is free from shading by neighboring obstacles such as vents, air-conditioners, TV antennas, etc.

The 100W solar panel is equipped with 1m/12AWG cables terminated by MC4 Connectors. To extend these cables, SUNER POWER provides 3m extension solar panel cable adapter as shown in Figure 5.2

Steps to install solar panel
Step-1: Mate the “Male” MC4 Connector from the solar panel with the “Female” MC4 Connector of your adapterkitas shown in Fig 4.1.3. Then connect the bare stranded portion of the cable to the positive (+) solar input terminal on the charge controller.

Step-2 : Mate the “Female” MC4 connector from the panel with the “Male MC4 connector of your adapter kit as shown in Fig4.1.3

Step-3: The positive (+) solar cable can be fused for protection; an in- line fuse can be added to this cable in the same way as described in the instructions for battery to controller connection.

Step-4: Once the fuse holder is in place, don’t attach a fuse just yet. Connect the bare stranded portion of the cable to the positive (+) solar terminal on the charge controller. Ensure that all connections are made properly, and that there are not any loose connections present. Finally, insert the fuse into the fuse holder and remove the protective cloth. If there is enough sunlight present, the controller will start charging the battery.

Step-5 : If opting for no in+-line fuse, connect the bare stranded portion of the adapter cable to the positive (+) and negative(-) solar input terminals on the charge controller, red is positive and black is negative. If there is enough sunlight present, the controller’s solar LED indicator/icon on the LCD display should show that it is now charging your battery(s).

Multiple Solar Panel Configurations
This basic 100w stater kils are expandable by adding multiple solar panels, to get better charging rate or match higher battery voltage.Connecting the panels in parallel increases the current of the system; Connecting the panels in series increases the voltage of the system.

Battery Configurations

The battery system voltage is automatically detected at the very first power- up of the solar charger and the battery voltage is set accordingly. Further automatic detection is disabled. In case the solar charger does not measure a battery system voltage, it will default to 12V and store that. This will happen if the solar charger is powered via its PV terminals, while not connected to a battery. Note that the solar charger will not automatically detect battery type, this will need to be set manually. After automatic detection has taken place, the battery voltage can be changed and set to 12V, 24V.

The battery system can also be configured to create a “bank” of batteries. In this section, we cover the most basic configurations. When wiring batteries, extreme attention should be given. Never short a battery, as high currents can cause severe bums or even death.It is recommended that insulated/non- conducting tools be used when working with batteries. Never leave tools on top of the battery. Always wear eye protection. Never touch both of the battery terminals at the same time with your bare hands.

Inverter Wiring (Optional)

A power inverter, or inverter, is an electrical device that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC); the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits. Please read these instructions carefully before attempting to carry out any installation and wiring. Contact Technical support for any questions concerning the installation.

This equipment should be installed, adjusted, and serviced by qualified electrical maintenance personnel familiar with the construction and operation of solar/electrical equipment and the hazards involved. Failure to observe this precaution may result in bodily injury and/or damage to property.

Installations

Step 1: Connecting inverter to battery Set the switch to OFF position (inverter and appliances). Connect the battery cables to their respective colors on the inverter i.e. black cable goes to the black terminal on the inverter, and the red cable goes to the red terminal on the inverter. Please refer to Fig. 6.1.2. Each end of the battery tray cables should have a “ring terminal” type of connector. These connectors make it easy to achieve a secure and strong connection. Once the cables are connected and bolted down to the inverter, connect the black cable to the negative post of the battery (-). Then, connect the red cable to the positive post of the battery (+) If connecting to a battery bank, make sure that the black cable connects to the negative battery post (-) at the end of the bank (opposite to the positive battery post as shown on Fig. 6.1.2). It is recommended that a fuse be placed on the hot line (positive) between the battery and inverter. Please refer to the owner’s manual for the proper wire gauge size and fuse ratings for each inverter.

Note: The charge controller and the inverter should be connected to the same battery terminals (same connecting points shown in Fig 6.1.2), no exceptions.

Step 2 : Connecting electrical appliances to inverter Once the devices are connected to the AC outlet, they are ready to be powered. When the inverter is not in use, it is recommended that you turn off the inverter (switch in OFF position).

Package List
1x 100W Mono crystalline Solar Panel
1 x5m temperature sensor cable
1 x20A MPPT Solar Charge Controller
1 x10FT 12AWG Solar Extension Cord
1 x 5FT 12AWG Battery Connection Cord with M8 Terminals
1 x User Manual

Technical Specifications

Charge Controller

over voltage, battery over- voltage, PV over-current, Battery over-current, Over temp
Charge Circuit voltage drop| ≤ 0.26V
Discharge Circuit voltage drop| ≤ 0.15V
Self-consumption| <40-60mA
USB Port| 5V/2.4A
Operation Temperature| -40 ℃-80℃
Max terminal size| 10mm2, 8AWG
Humidity Range| ≤ 95% (NC)
Temp Compensation| -3mV/℃/2V
Communication| RS232, RS485
Dimension| 17213646.7*mm
Protection Level| IP54
Weight| 0.58kg
Electrical Parameters| Battery Parameters
Battery types| Wet,Gel Cell/Flooded/ Maintenance-free| AGM| Lithium
Boost Charge Voltage| 14.4V/28.8V| 14.6V/29.2V| 14.6V/29.2V
Float Charge Voltage| 13.8V/27.6V| 13.8V/27.6V| /
Boost Charge Recovery| 12.8V/25.6V| 12.8V/25.6V| 12.8V/25.6v
Float Duration| 2 Hours| 2 Hours| 2 Hours

Solar Panel

100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel Electrical Data

Certifications

Module Diagram

FQA

1.What is the minimum voltage to light up the controller alone?

The minimum open short circuit of solar panel is 15V, or the minimum battery voltage is 3V to light up the controller.

2.What is temperature compensation?

The ability of the battery to store and accept charge varies with temperature. For optimum battery performance the charge controller needs to adjust its output voltage control to correspond to the needs of the battery as the temperature changes.

What is the remote control?

The remote control is a dedicated to read out the live and historic solar panel and battery data and it can be use dtocon figure solar panel and battery settings. Also, it tracks and stores the data of solar panel and battery in past 60day

Why My Solar Panel is Under-producing?

As you may know, the solar panel is affected by lots of factors. Such as the intensity of the sun andtheangleofthesolarpanel on the ground, cloudy sky, temperature rise, and the dirt and stain built up on the surface of solar panels

What is the effect of solar panel’s temperature?

Heat is the nemesis of a MPPT controller. As the solar panels get hot, the MPPT voltage droops, and you no longer get great gains in charge current - indeed on some panels and very hot temperature. However, even in these situations, great gains are made in off-hours where the temperature is reduced and the sun is not directly on the panels.

How long can my wires be?

Keep in mind that long wires loose power especially at higher currents. Use at least #12 for BOTHinput and output. SolidTHHN wire is easier to work with. Panel wires can be longer than 50 feet just keep in mind the power lossinthewirewhen sizing a system. #10 AWG wire can be used to reduce this loss on longer runs.

Battery voltage difference between MPPT charge controller display and

multimeter?

According to the Ohm's law V=IR, the voltage difference depends on I=charge current and cable R=resistancebetweenbattery and charge controller. For Best Performance keep the battery and connection cable as short aspossible—lessthan 5 Feet on the battery side, or consider to use #10 or #8 cable.

Will a solar panel supply electricity 24 hours a day?

No, solar panels convert light into electricity. So as the light reduces in the day so does the output of thesolarpanel

What is the best orientation of a solar panel?

The sun rises in the East and sets in the West, but never goes North. Therefore if the Solar PVis facing South the more direct sunlight it will receive, which will produce more energy. To get the maximum benefit from the Solar Panel it needsto face between the South East and the South West otherwise its energy generation will be reduced.

Is maintenance required on solar panels?

Clean using a non-abrasive cleaner. In the long term check the sealing especially in marine use andreseal withasiliconsealant if damage is suspected. Check battery connections periodically when you check battery levels. Fuse holder sandconnections should be kept dry and clean.

Warranty

Thank you for purchasing the solar panel, should you experience any defect due to the manufacturer of this product, you are entitled to get a replacement or refund. If you have any questions, feel free to sent us email support- us@alltosolar.com, we will get back to you within 24h.

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