RICH SOLAR RS-PWM8 Solar Controller / Battery Charger User Manual

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

1. Use the string wires, screw tightly the wires to the Solar
   terminal on the back of controller and connect to the Solar
   Panel.

2. 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.

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