REDARC SRPA0120 Solar Regulator Instruction Manual

REDARC SRPA0120 Solar Regulator

• SRPA0120
• SRPA0240
• SRPA0360

THE SOLAR REGULATOR

REDARC solar regulators ensure that the power supplied by your solar panels is at the right voltage to charge your lead acid house or auxiliary batteries. REDARC solar regulators are Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) controlled and incorporate automatic system voltage detection.
REDARC solar regulators come in 10 A, 20 A and 30 A models which are capable of charging either 12 V or 24 V battery systems. The SRPA regulators are supplied factory set to the AGM battery type setting; A REDARC remote monitor (SRPA-RM) is required to change the battery type.

WARNING & SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS — THIS MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR REDARC SOLAR REGULATORS.
DO NOT OPERATE THE SOLAR REGULATOR UNLESS YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THIS MANUAL AND THE SYSTEM IS SETUP AS PER THESE INSTRUCTIONS. REDARC RECOMMENDS THAT ANY REGULATOR/CHARGER BE INSTALLED BY A SUITABLY QUALIFIED PERSON.

WARNING

RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES:
WORKING IN THE VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS DANGEROUS. BATTERIES GENERATE EXPLOSIVE GASES DURING NORMAL OPERATION. FOR THIS REASON, IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EACH TIME YOU USE THE REGULATOR.

CAUTION

1. Solar Regulators should not be used by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they are supervised or have been instructed on how to use the appliance by a person responsible for their safety. Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the Solar Regulator.

2. Do NOT use the Solar Regulator to charge non-rechargeable batteries. Doing so may result in harm to the user and/or damage to the regulator and/or solar blanket. Only use the Solar Regulator for charging standard lead acid, calcium content, Gel & AGM type 12 V and 24 V batteries.

3. Over Charging Hazard. Failure to connect solar panel’s negative wire directly to the regulator may result in overcharging the battery. The solar panel’s negative wire must be connected directly to the regulator only.

4. Check the battery manufacturer’s data for your battery and ensure that the voltage of the charging profile you select does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended maximum charging voltage. If the absorption and boost voltage for your battery type is too high, please select another charging profile. The Solar Regulator is not intended to supply power to a low voltage electrical system other than to charge a battery.

5. Electrical Hazard. Incorrect connection of batteries and solar panels in Parallel or Series can subject the regulator to high voltages that will damage the regulator. Ensure the recommended connections and sequences are followed and that the rated current, wattage and voltage of the regulator is not exceeded.

6. NEVER smoke or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery or engine.
   This may cause the battery to explode.
   PERSONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

7. To assist with the safe operation and use of the Solar Regulator:
   a. Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near a battery.
   b. If battery acid contacts your skin or clothing, remove the affected clothing and wash the affected area of your skin immediately with soap and water. If battery acid enters your eye, immediately flood the eye with running cold water for at least 10 minutes and seek medical assistance immediately.

The Solar Regulator will achieve best results when proper battery maintenance is regularly performed. This includes but is not limited to checking water and specific gravity levels of the battery.

THE SOLAR REGULATOR

Dimensions

Regulator Function
The SRPA regulators are supplied factory set to the AGM battery type setting; A REDARC remote monitor (SRPA-RM) is required to change the battery type.

  Regulator Connection

1.  Connect to the battery first before the solar panel.
2. Connect to the Battery and Solar Panel via an Anderson™ SB™ 50, 50 A grey connector.
3. The REDARC Solar Regulator should be installed as close as possible to the battery it is charging.
4.  Refer to the Installation notes in section 3.1 (on page 9) and System Wiring (page 11).
5.  Caution: Incorrect connection of the battery or solar panel can damage the regulator, please confirm all wiring polarity before connection is made.

LED Indication

LED Status| On Solid| 1 flash/second| Off| 3 flashes/second
---|---|---|---|---
LED1 — Solar panel (Green)| Normal| Charging| No Charge| N/A
LED2 — Battery (Green)| Normal| Battery Full| N/A| Over voltage
LED2 — Battery (Red)| Over Discharge| N/A
LED2 — Battery (Orange)| Under Voltage
LED1 — Green LED2 — Red| ****

N/A

| System voltage error
LED1 — Green LED2 — Orange| Over temperature

SYSTEM SETUP

• If using more than one panel, ensure that all panels are situated near each other and are exposed to similar lighting conditions. Failure to do this may cause damage to the panels.
• If using multiple panels, it is highly recommended to ensure that they are identical.

CAUTION

OVERCHARGING HAZARD. FAILURE TO CONNECT SOLAR PANEL’S NEGATIVE WIRE DIRECTLY TO THE REGULATOR MAY RESULT IN OVERCHARGING THE BATTERY. THE SOLAR PANEL’S NEGATIVE WIRE MUST BE CONNECTED DIRECT TO THE REGULATOR ONLY.

ELECTRICAL HAZARD. INCORRECT CONNECTION OF BATTERIES AND SOLAR PANELS IN PARALLEL OR SERIES CAN SUBJECT THE REGULATOR TO HIGH VOLTAGES THAT WILL DAMAGE THE REGULATOR. ENSURE THE RECOMMENDED CONNECTIONS AND SEQUENCES ARE FOLLOWED AND THAT THE RATED CURRENT AND/OR VOLTAGE OF THE REGULATOR IS NOT EXCEEDED.

Fuse Protection
Fuse protection is required for wire and component protection in case of short circuit. Fuses are to be fitted as close as possible to the battery positive terminal.
REDARC recommends using MIDI-style bolt-down fuses as they ensure a low resistance connection. The REDARC FK40 and FK60 fuse kits are recommended.
Blade type fuses are not recommended as they can result in high resistance connection which causes excess heat and may damage the fuse holder and/or the wiring. Self-resetting circuit breakers are not recommended as they may trip prematurely due to the heat generated by the current flowing through the wires.

Specifications

(Default)

| Standard Lead-Acid| Calcium| AGM

(Default)

| Standard Lead-Acid| Calcium
**Absorption Voltage* Constant Voltage Stage| 14.4 V| 14.6 V| 14.8 V| 28.8 V| 29.2 V| 29.6 V
Equalise Charging Voltage| **

n/a

| 14.8 V| 15 V| ****

n/a

| 29.6 V| 30 V
Equalise Time| 2 hours| 2 hours
Absorption Time| 3 hours
**Float Voltage*| 13.6 V| 27.2 V
Solar Panel Input Range| 16 V – 32 V| 34 V – 50 V
Battery Voltage Range| 9 V – 16 V| 18 V – 32 V
Standby Current Draw| 10 mA| 4.5 mA
Battery Charging Limit Voltage| 16 V| 32 V
Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage**| 13.2 V| 26.4 V

Power Rating

| 120 W (SRPA0120)

240 W (SRPA0240)

360 W (SRPA0360)

| 240 W (SRPA0120)

480 W (SRPA0240)

720 W (SRPA0360)

Current Limit| 10 A (SRPA0120) / 20 A (SRPA0240) / 30 A (SRPA0360)
Boost Charge| 100% of available solar charge will be used until absorption voltage is reached.
Charge Type and Operating Frequency| PWM 50Hz
Charging Stage Switching| Switches on voltage setting
Temp. Compensation| −30 mV / °C / 12 V (−16.7 mV / °F / 12 V)
Terminals| Anderson™ Powerclaw™, 50 A
Connector| Anderson™ SB™50, Grey
Operating Temp.| −35°C to 55°C / −31°F to 131°F

*Charge profile voltages will vary with change in temperature, as per temperature compensation rates. ICES Declaration: CAN ICES-003 (B) / NMB-003(B)

FCC Statment

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
•  Connect the equipment intro an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio / TV technician for help

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by (the party responsible for compliance) could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment

Installation Notes

• Always connect the battery/s first (before the panel).
• Always ensure the connection to the battery terminals is sound, with as much surface contact between the battery terminal and the connection method (e.g. Alligator clips) as possible.
• The regulator should be installed as close as possible to the battery/s.
•  Ensure that any non-REDARC Anderson™ plug terminals are soldered correctly or crimped with the correct Anderson™ crimping tool.
• Always check the manufacturer’s data for your battery and ensure that the maximum voltage of the charging profile you select does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommended maximum charging voltage. If the ‘Maximum’ voltage for your battery type is too high, please select another charging profile. SRPA-RM will be required to change from default setting.
•  Care should be taken to not expose the regulator to moisture.
•  For optimum operation, the regulator should be mounted in an environment where the temperature is normally below 45°C / 113°F and does not exceed 55°C / 131°F.
• Battery clip SRC0009 is intended for a portable short term connection and should not to be left connected permanently.

Accessories

SRPA-RM
The SRPA-RM is an optional Remote Monitor for use with REDARC SRPA0120, SRPA0240 and SRPA0360 regulators.
The SRPA-RM is required to change the charging profile on the Regulator. By Default SRPA0120, SRPA0240 and SRPA0360 Regulators are set to AGM.

REDARC Cable Range

SYSTEM WIRING

12 V Standard System

  24 V Standard System

•  Both panels used must be identical, mixing and matching may cause damage. The lowest rated current panel will dissipate heat if they are not matched.
•  Both panels must be positioned next to each other at the same angle to receive identical illumination otherwise damage can be caused and/or batteries may not charge.

Wiring Multiple Panels in Parallel (12 V)

WARRANTY

Limited Warranty
For full warranty terms and conditions, visit the link below or refer to the contact details applicable to your region.

Australia and New Zealand
www.redarc.com.au/warranty
REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd 23 Brodie Road (North), Lonsdale SA 5160
Australia

North America
www.redarcelectronics.com/warranty
REDARC Corporation
c/o Shallco, Inc.
308 Component Dr.
Smithfield, NC 27577
USA
USA +1 (704) 247 5150

Canada +1 (604) 260 5512

Mexico +52 (558) 526 2898

References

• REDARC : Automotive Electronics, DC Charging & Brake Control
• Product Warranty Details– REDARC
• REDARC : Automotive Electronics, DC Charging & Brake Control
• REDARC : Automotive Electronics, DC Charging & Brake Control
• Product Warranty Details– REDARC
• REDARC : Automotive Electronics, DC Charging & Brake Control

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