RICH SOLAR RS-PWM8 Solar Controller / Battery Charger User Manual
- September 27, 2024
- RICH SOLAR
Table of Contents
RS-PWM8 Solar Controller / Battery Charger
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Specifications
- Model: RS-PWM8
- RICH SOLAR PWM controllers
- 12V 8AMP Rated for 12V solar panel (Max. 25V)
- Rated maximum output current of 8Amp
- Suitable for Solar panels up to 135 Watts
Product Usage Instructions
Installation
The quickest and easiest way to mount the unit is to use the
three plastic spacers and self-tapping screws supplied and mount
the unit to a flat surface.
Wiring Connections
To protect the Battery and the Solar Panel, we strongly
recommend that you place an inline fuse on the positive wire on
both the Solar and Battery Circuits. Refer to the wiring diagram
for details.
Correct Wire Size: Please refer to the wire size table below to
determine the minimum size wire needed for each connection for
optimal performance.
Battery Connection
-
Use the string wires, screw tightly the wires to the Solar
terminal on the back of controller and connect to the Solar
Panel. -
Connect the Battery by screwing tightly the wires to the
Battery terminal on the back of the controller.
When the connections are completed, the Solar Controller will
start working automatically.
Battery Type Setting via DIP Switch
Please check your battery manufacturer’s specifications to
select the correct battery type. Use the DIP switch at the back of
the solar charge controller to set the battery type.
Refer to the DIP switch settings table provided in Figure 3 for
various battery types and their corresponding voltage settings.
Once the DIP switch setting is finished, do not freely change it
to avoid damaging your battery.
FAQ
Q: What should I do if one of the LED indicators shows a fault
connection?
A: If any of the LED indicators show a fault connection, please
review the wiring connections and ensure they are correctly
installed according to the manual. If issues persist, contact
technical support for assistance.
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User Manual
Solar Controller / Battery Charger
MODEL: RS-PWM8
Congratulations
You have made an excellent choice by purchasing this high-quality RICH SOLAR
PWM solar controller, which has been manufactured to the highest standards of
performance, quality and safety.
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase, so this solar
controller is backed by our own 2-year warranty.
If you require technical support regarding this product, please call
1-800-831-9889 or email
support@richsolar.com.
Faulty product claims made within the 2-year time frame will be repaired or
replaced free of charge provided you have satisfactory proof of purchase (keep
your receipt).
VERSION AND RATINGS
RICH SOLAR PWM controllers
12V 8AMP Rated for 12V solar panel (Max. 25V) Rated maximum output current of
8Amp
Suitable for Solar panels up to 135 Watts.
WARNING
RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GASES: WORKING IN VICINITY OF A LEAD-ACID BATTERY IS
DANGEROUS. EXPLOSIVE GASES DEVELOP DURING NORMAL BATTERY OPERATION. BE CERTAIN
THERE IS ENOUGH VENTILATION TO RELEASE THE GASSES. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT EACH
TIME BEFORE USING OR CONNECTING YOUR SOLAR CONTROLLER, YOU READ THIS MANUAL
AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY. Make sure you connect the red to the
positive on the battery and the black to the negative on battery. Please
double check before you connect, connecting to wrong terminals may burn out
the controller. Confirm that the power wires are tightened to the correct
torque to avoid excessive heating from a loose connection. Refer to battery
specification, be very careful not to short circuit to the battery
connections. Accidental `shorting’ of the terminals or wiring can result in
sparks causing personal injury or a fire hazard. We recommend that you cover
up the panel(s) with some sort of soft cloth so you can block all incoming
light during the installation. This will ensure that no damage is caused to
the Solar Panel or Battery if the wires are accidentally short circuited.
Always install a battery fuse on each circuit including the solar controller.
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
– PWM technology, switching control by MOSFET – Common Positive Grounding
connection – High efficiency and low power consumption – Battery type setting
via DIP switch – Smart charging control – Charging time management – LED
indication for the battery condition and charging statues – Thermal protection
– Over voltage protection, Short circuit protection, Reverse polarity
protection – No sparks – Waterproof – Corrosion-resistant terminals and
connectors. – Conformal coating supplied to the inside board against moisture
– Suitable for most of the rechargeable Lead acid battery, including Flooded
(WET), AGM, GEL, Lithium (LiFePO4) battery – Designed according to CE
standard, EMC, FCC compliance.
INSTALLATION
The quickest and easiest way to mount the unit is to use the three plastic
spacers and self- tapping screws supplied and mount the unit to a flat
surface.
WIRING CONNECTIONS
To protect the Battery and the Solar Panel, we strongly recommend that you
place an inline fuse on the positive wire on both the “Solar” and “Battery”
Circuits. A 15A fuse for 12V 8A controller, (As close to the Battery / Panel
as possible) The Solar Controller has 4 terminals which are clearly marked
Solar’ andBattery’. There is a (12V) and earth (GND) terminal for each
circuit. Refer to the wiring diagram below.
Correct Wire Size: Please refer to the wire size table below to determine the minimum size wire needed for each connection. This will also ensure you get the best performance out of your solar controller.
Battery Connection
Length of Wire
5ft
10ft
Size (AWG)
14
12
Solar Array Connection
10ft
15ft
20ft
14
12
12
1. Use the string wires, screw tightly the wires to the “Solar” terminal on
the back of controller and connect to the Solar Panel like shown.
2. Use the string wires, screw tightly the wires to the “Battery” terminal on
the back of controller and connect to the Battery like shown.
When the connections are completed, the Solar Controller will start working
automatically.
Please check your battery manufacturer’s specifications to select correct
battery type. The unit provides 4 battery types for selections: Gel, AGM, WET
(conventional lead acid), and LiFePO4. There is a DIP switch at the back of
the solar charge controller, this Dip switch is used for presetting your
battery type. Please refer to Figure 3 to make DIP switch setting for the
proper battery chemical; the factory default setting is at AGM battery type.
Note: Once the Dip switch setting is finished, do not freely change the DIP
switch; otherwise it may damage your battery.
BATTERY TYPE SETTING
VIA DIP SWITCH
Battery Type Selection 12 ON ON
DIP Switch
OFF OFF
Battery Type
AGM 14.4V OFF OFF
Gel
14.1V ON OFF
Wet
14.7V OFF ON
LiFePO4 14.4V ON ON
Battery
Solar Panel
CHARGING STAGES
The unit has a 5-stage charging algorithm. Soft Charge (Level 1) Bulk Charge
(Level 2)-Absorption charge (Level 3) Equalizing Charge (Level 4) – Float
Mode (Level 5)
Soft Charge When batteries suffer an over-discharge, the controller will
softly ramp the battery voltage up to 10V. Bulk ChargeMaximum current charging
until batteries rise to Absorption level. Absorption ChargeConstant voltage
charge and battery is over 85%. Equalization Charge*Only for WET battery, when
the battery is deeply drained below 11.5V, it will automatically run this
stage to bring the internal cells as an equal state and fully complement the
loss of capacity. Float ChargeBattery is fully charged and maintained at a
safe level.
LED INDICATION
The 3 LED’s indicate the charging status and Fault connection
Solar Power Present-No battery connected
Battery reversed
RED ON ON
Solar panel reversed
OFF
Soft start charging
OFF
Bulk, Absorption, Equalization charging
OFF
Float charging
OFF
Solar panel weak
Slow flash
At night, no charge
OFF
Slow flash=1Hz flash, Fast flash=3Hz flash
BLUE Slow flash Fast flash
OFF Slow flash
ON OFF OFF OFF
GREEN Slow flash Fast flash
OFF OFF OFF ON OFF OFF
SPECIFICATIONS
Electrical Parameters
Rated solar panel amps
Max. 8A
Normal input solar cell array voltage
15-22 VDC
Max. solar cell array voltage (output has no load)
Max. 25 VDC
The controller lowest operating voltage at solar or battery side
9 VDC
Standby current consumption at night
2 mA
Maximum voltage drop-solar panel to battery
0.25 VDC
Charging characteristics
Minimum battery starts charging voltage
3 VDC
Soft start charging voltage
3-10 ±0.2 VDC
Soft start charging current (50% PWM duty)
Up to 4 AMP
Bulk charge voltage
10-14.0 ±0.2 VDC
Absorption charging voltage at 25
–Gel type battery
14.1 ±0.2 VDC
–AGM type battery (default setting)
14.4 ±0.2 VDC
–WET type battery
14.7 ±0.2 VDC
–LFP battery
14.4 ±0.2 VDC
Absorption transits to equalizing or float condition:
–Charging current drops to
0.8 ±0.1 AMP
— or absorption charging timer timed out
4h
Equalization charging active (only for WET or calcium battery)
–Battery voltage discharged to less than
11.5 ±0.2 VDC
Equalization charging voltage at 25
15.5 ±0.2 VDC
Equalization charging timer timed out
2h
Float charger voltage at 25
–for GEL, AGM and WET battery
13.6 ±0.2 VDC
–for LiFePO4 battery
13.4 ±0.2 VDC
Battery temperature compensation coefficient
-24 mV/°C
Temperature compensation range
-20~+50°C
Protection
Over temperature protection during charging
65°C
Electrical parts Input output terminal Physical Parameters Controller material Power terminal maximum stranded wire size Mounting IP grade Net weight Environmental characteristics Operating temperature Storage temperature Operating humidity range
M4 terminals
Plastic, Standard ABS #12 AWG stranded-3 mm2
Vertical wall mounting IP65
Approx. 200g / 0.44lb
-25 ~ 50 / -13 ~ 122 -40 ~ 85 / -40 ~ 185
100% no condensation
MAINTENANCE
Occasionally, clean the case using a damp cloth and mild cleaning agent. Check
with terminals without loosen, rusty; If connecting cable is damaged, replace
the cable by qualified person.