phocos 181819812 CML-USB Solar Charge Controller User Manual

June 9, 2024
phocos

phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
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phocos 181819812 CML-USB Solar Charge Controller

phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
PRODUCT

Dear customer Thank you very much for buying this Phoc: os product. Please read the instructions carefully and thoroughly before using the product. www.phocos.com
Your new CML·
USB controller is a state-of-the-art device that was developed in accordance with the latest available technical standards. lt comes with a number of outstanding features, such as:

  • A clear indication of the state of charge
  • Acoustic signal when the state of charge changes
  • Low voltage disconnect is regulated by the state of charge or voltage
  • 16 mm’ connector clamps
  • Complete electronic protection

Please read this manual carefully taking special note of the safety and usage recommendations at the end. The toe manual shows important recommendations for installation, product use, and a troubleshooting guide for potential problems with the controller.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

This manual contains important instructions for the CML·USB controller that shall be followed during the installation, operation, and maintenance of the charge controller.
RISKS OF FIRE, USE CONTROLLER WITHIN 0,5 m OF BATTERIES!

  • Battery type: Lead acid (GEL, AGM, flooded)
  • Nominal voltage rating of the battery: 12 V or 24 V
  • Battery fuse: Use a fast-acting fuse with an interruption rating
  • www.phocos.com
  • the capacity of 1000 A on the battery side. We recommend using a fast-acting melting fuse (e. g. car type fuses) as close as possible to the battery terminal. The maximum
  • current rating should be 1.5 times the nominal current of the charge controller.
  • Please do not disassemble or attempt to repair Phocos products. Phocos charge controllers do not contain user-serviceable parts.
  • Please observe all instructions with regard to external fuses/breakers as indicated.

Maintenance and installation notes

  • When installing or working on the PV system, please disconnect the PV (solar) modules from the charge controller first, to prevent any damage to the charge controller!
    Verify all cable/wire connections are tightly fastened to the connectors/binding posts in order to avoid any bad or loose connections that could result in excessive heating.

  • Install a fuse or breaker near the battery before installing or adjusting the controller!

  • Install and operate the controller in a dry environment.

High voltage risks

  • Operation of this device may produce a high voltage which can cause severe injuries or death in case of improper installation or operation of the device.
    PV modules can generate high DC voltages!

  • Make sure the cables are always connected to the correct terminal. An electrical shock can be lethal. In general, any electric shock can be dangerous to your health.

CE labeling

  • The product is CE-compliant.

Description of Functions

  • The charge controller protects the battery from being overcharged by the solar array and from being deeply discharged by the loads.
  • The charging characteristics include several stages which include automatic adaptation to the ambient temperature.
  • The charge controller adjusts itself automatically to 12V or 24V system voltage.
  • The charge controller has a number of safety and display functions.

Mounting and Connecting

The controller is intended for indoor use only. Protect it from direct sunlight and place it in a dry environment. Never install it in humid rooms (like bathrooms). The controller measures the ambient temperature to determine the charging voltage. The controller and battery must be installed in the same room. The controller warms up during operation, and should therefore be installed on a non-flammable surface only.

REMARK: Connect the controller by following the steps described below to avoid installation faults.

Mount the controller to the wall with screws that fit the wall material. Use screws with a 4 mm shaft and max. 8 mm head diameter, no counter sink. The screws must be able to carry the force applied by the wiring. Make sure that the ventilation slits on the sides are unobstructed.

A DIN Rail mounting plate is available as an accessory (CX-DR2). This allows mounting the controller on a standard 35mm DIN rail. Remove the screws at the backside of the controller and screw the mounting plate with the (long) fastening screw onto the backside of the controller. Connect the wires leading to the battery with the correct polarity. To avoid any voltage on the wires, first connect the controller, then the battery. Follow the recommended wire length (min 30 cm to max approx. 100 cm) and the wire
size:

  • CML·USB0S: min 2.5 mm’ (AWG13)
  • CML-USB10: min 4 mm2 (AWG11)
  • CML-USB20: min 6 mm2 (AWG9)
  • If the polarity is wrong, solely the red lights up.

WARNING: If the battery is connected with reverse polarity, the load terminals will also have the wrong polarity. Never connect loads during this condition!

REMARK: Follow the recommendations of your battery manufacturer. We strongly recommend connecting a fuse directly to the battery to protect against any short circuit in the battery wiring. The fuse should be 50% larger than the charge controller nom;nal current:
CML-USB05: 7.5A, CML-USB10: 15A, CML-USB20: JOA

Connect the wires leading to the solar array with the correct polarity. To avoid any voltage on the wires, first connect the controller, then the solar array. Mind the recommended wire size:

  • CML-USB05: min 2.5 mm2 (AWG13)
  • CML-USB10: min 4 mm2 (AWG11)
  • CML-USB20: min 6 mm2 (AWG9)

REMARK: Place positive and negative wires close to each other to minimize electromagnetic effects.
REMARK: Solar panels provide voltage as soon as exposed to sun light. Follow the solar panel manufacturer’s recommendations for installation, safety, and use.

  • Connect the wires leading to the loads with correct polarity.
  • To avoid any voltage on the wires, first connect the wire to the load, then to the controller. Follow the recommended wire size:
  • CML-USB05: min 2.5 mm’ (AWG13)
  • CML-USB10: min 4 mm2 (AWG11)
  • CML-USB20: min 6 mm2 (AWG9)

Grounding the Solar System

Be aware that the positive terminals of the CML-USB controller are connected internally and therefore have the same electrical potential. If any grounding is required, always do this on the positive wires.

REMARK: If the device is used in a vehicle which has the battery negative on the chassis, loads connected to the regulator must not have an electric connection to the car bady. Otherwise the Low Voltage Disconnect function ond the electronic fuse function of the controller are short circuited.

Starting up the Controller

Self Test
As soon as the controller is supplied with power either from the battery or the solar array, it starts a self-test routine. Then the display changes to normal operation.
System Voltage
The controller adjusts itself automatically to 12 V or 24 V system voltage. As soon as the voltage at the time of start-up exceeds 18 V, the controller assumes a 24 V system. If the battery voltage is not within the normal operation range at start-up, a status display according to the section ERROR DESCRIPTION occurs.
Battery Type
The controller is preset to operate with lead-acid batteries with solid electrolytes (GEL type or AGM type). If you intend to use a lead-acid battery with liquid electrolyte, you can adjust the charging characteristics (see ··settings”). The equalization charge mode is added then. In case of any doubts consult your local dealer.

Recommendations for Use

The controller warms up during normal operation.
The controller does not need any maintenance or service. Remove dust with a dry tissue.
It is important that the battery gets fully charged frequently (at least monthly). Otherwise, the battery will be permanently damaged.
A battery can only be fully charged if not too much energy is drawn during charging. Keep that in mind, especially if you install additional loads.

Display Functions in normal operation

The controller is equipped with 5 LEDs and an acoustic warning signal.phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
FIG-6

In normal operation, the controller shows the state of charge of the battery and the charge from the solar panels. Any change of the state of charge (SOC) to a lower status is additionally signaled acoustically.

Charge displayphocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
FIG-7

State of charge display

phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-
Controller-FIG-8

The percentage corresponds to the available energy until Low Voltage Disconnect in relation to a fully charged battery.
Acoustic signals
A change in the state of charge (SOC) to a lower status is indicated by an acoustic signal.phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
FIG-10

The loads are disconnected approx. 1 minute after a series of 25 signals.
Load status display
In case of deep discharge or overload/short-circuit of load, the load output is switched off. This is indicated by:phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-
Controller-FIG-11

Low Voltage Disconnect Function (LVD)

The controller has 2 different modes to protect the battery from being deeply discharged:

  1. State of charge controlled: Disconnect at 11.4 V (at nominal load current) up to 11. 9 V (at no load current). Normal operation mode for good battery protection.
  2. Voltage controlled: Disconnect at 11.0 V fixed setting. Appropriate if bypass loads draw current directly from the battery.

The controller is preset to Mode 1 from the factory. Changing the mode setting is described below.
If in doubt about which mode to chose, consult your dealer. This will have to be evaluated depending on the battery used.
Settings
The controller can be configured for special operation. For this purpose, open the cover of the controller by removing the screws on the back side.

WARNING: The controller should not be opened while connected and ;n operat;on!

When the controller is opened, there are 3 jumpers on the electronic board: phocos-181819812-CML-USB-Solar-Charge-Controller-
FIG-12

With these jumpers, the following settings can be configured:

Jumper GEL (1) LVD (2) BUZ (3)

Function

|

Battery type

| The function of low voltage disconnect| Acoustic alarm signal
Setting

jumper open

| Liquid electro! yte|

Voltage controlled

|

Alarm off

Setting jumper closed| GEL (VRLA

battery)

| State of charge controlled| Alarm on
Factory setting|

Jumper closed (GEL)

| Jumper closed state of charge controlled| Jumper closed

Alarm on

After completing the setting, replace the cover and tighten it with the screws.

Safety Features

The controller is protected against improper installation or use:

 | PY terminals| Battery

terminals

| Load terminals
---|---|---|---
Reverse polarity| Protected| Warning:

Red LED on

| Protected(1)
Short circuit(2)| Protected| Protected(3)| Switches off immediately
Over Current|  |  | Switches off with a delay(4)
Reverse Current| Protected|  |
Overvoltage|

Max. 50 V

|

Max. 50 V

|

Switches off

Undervoltage|  |  |

Switches off

Over

temperature

| Reduces the charging current if over­ temperature occurs and switches off the load if the temperature reaches a high level.

  1. The controller can protect itself, but any connected loads might be damaged.
  2. Short circuit: >4x- 6x nominal current.
  3. The battery must be protected by a fuse, or it might be permanently damaged in case of a short circuit.
  4. 200% nominal current: disconnect with 3s delay

WARNING: The combination of different error conditions may cause damage to the controller. Always remove the fault condition before you continue connecting the controller!

USB charger

USB connector for 5 V supply to small appliances like for charging cell phones, compact portable computers, small music players; with up to 700 mA of current consumption.

Warning: Do not connect the charging device anywhere else! USB negative contact is connected to load negative.

Error Description

Error Display Reason Remedy
**** Loads are not supplied Battery is low (Red LED on) Load

will reconnect as soon as battery is recharged.


| ****

Overcurrent/

Short circuit of loads (Red

| Switch off all loads.

Remo ve s hort circuit. Controller will switch  on load

| LED flashing)| automatically after

max 1 minute .



| ****

Ba  tt ery voIt age too high

(>15.5 / 31.0 V)

| Check if other sources overcharge the battery. If not, controller is damaged.
Battery wires or battery fuse damaged, battery has high resistance| ****

Check battery wires, fuses and battery.

Batteryis empty after a short time| | Battery has low capacity (Red LED on)|


Change battery

Error Display Reason Remedy

Battery is not being charged durin g the

day

| | Solar array faulty or wrong polarit y (Green LED

of f)

|

Remove fault y connection / reverse po l ari t y

Battery wro n g polarity|

Permanent

sou nd

| Battery is co nn ec ted wi th reverse polarity| R e m ove r everse

polarity

Technical Data

System Voltage 12 / 24 V, automatic recognition
Max. Charge/Load Current 5/10/20Aaccording to model number
Float Charge 13.8 I 27.6 V (25°()
Main Charge 14.4 / 28.8 V (25″ C),0.5h(daily)
Boost Charge 14.4 / 28.8 V (25°() ,for 2h

activation:battery voltage<12 .3 /24 .6V

Equalization Charge| 14.8 / 29.6 V (25″ C),for 2h

activation:battery voltage<12 .1 /24 .2V (at least every 30 days)

Deep-Discharge

Protection

| 11.4·11.9V / 22.8-23.8V (by SOC)

11.0 / 22.0 (by voltage)

Reconnect Level| 12.8 / 25.6 V
Overvoltage Protection| 15.5/31.0V
Undervoltage Protection| 10.5 / 21.0 V
Max. Panel Voltage| 30 I 50 V
Temperature

Compensation

| ·24 mV/K (12 V);

-48 mV /K (24 V);

Idle Self-Consumption| < 4 mA
Grounding| Positive grounded
Ambient Temperature| -40 to+ 45°C
Max. Altitude| 4,000m above sea level
Battery Type| Lead acid(gel, AGM, flooded)
USB Port| USB type A, 5 V, 700 mA
Max. Wire Cross section| 16 mm2 (AWG 6)
Dimensions(WxHxD)| 80 x 100 x 36 mm/3.1 x 4 x 1.3 in
Weight| 0.16 kg/ 0.35 lb
---|---
Ingress Protection| IZZO
Certificates| CE-compliant, RoHS compliant
Warranty| 5 years

Liability Exclusion

The manufacturer shall not be liable for damages, especially on the battery, caused by use other than as intended or as mentioned in this manual or if the recommendations of the battery manufacturer are neglected. The manufacturer shall not be liable if there has been service or repair carried out by any unauthorized person, unusual use, wrong installation, or bad system design.

  • Specifications are subject to change without notice.

  • Version: 20191119

  • Made in China

  • Phocos AG

  • Magirus-Deutz-Str. 12 8907 7 Ulm, Germany

  • Phone +49 731 9380688·0

  • Fax +49 731 9380688-50

  • www.phocos.com

  • info@phocos.com

  • www.phocos.com

Documents / Resources

| phocos 181819812 CML-USB Solar Charge Controller [pdf] User Manual
181819812 CML-USB Solar Charge Controller, 181819812, CML-USB Solar Charge Controller, Solar Charge Controller, Charge Controller
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