Solar Regulators
What are Solar Regulators / Solar Charge Controllers?
Solar electric power systems are essentially very simple. You have a device which converts sunlight into electrical energy (a photovoltaic panel or 'solar panel') and this is used to charge up a battery. The battery allows you to collect energy when the sun is shining and store it until needed.
This simple picture is complicated by the limitations of the battery. If you leave the photovoltaic panel connected to a battery, the battery will slowly charge up. If you are putting in more energy than you are taking out, then the battery will eventually become fully charged. If this continues, the battery will become overcharged and be damaged by corrosion of it's plates and loss of electrolyte. To avoid this, some sort of charge regulator / solar regulator is used to stop the charging when the battery is full.
Some charge controllers / solar regulators have additional features, such as a low voltage disconnect (LDV), a separate circuit which powers down the load when the batteries become overly discharged (some battery chemistries are such that over-discharge can ruin the battery).Some charge controllers may also monitor battery temperature to prevent overheating. Some charge controller systems also display data, transmit data to remote displays, and data logging to track electric flow over time.
Pulse width modulation (PWM) and maximum power point tracker (MPPT) technologies are more electronically sophisticated, adjusting charging rates depending on the battery's level, to allow charging closer to its maximum capacity.
Series Regulator vs MPPT
The MPPT versus series regulated question is not always straight forward as it very much depends on the conditions under which charging is taking place.
MPPT is good if you need to run cables from an array over a long distance as it allows higher voltage panel strings (therefore lower power loss due to cable resistance, because of lower currents).
Other than that, MPPT is useful if you don’t want to (or can’t) match the panel specifications to the battery (e.g. on a motorhome you may want to use some uncommon, high output panels since the roof space is limited).
Be aware that the % gains claimed for MPPT (other than the above couple of examples) are not likely to be ‘real world’ (e.g. How many hours during the day do your panels work at 25°C or less ?!). The hotter the panels become –the maximum power point voltage decreases and gets close to a typical battery voltage, therefore wiping out most (if not all) the gain an MPPT unit will give.
The other issues with MPPT (particularly for boats at sea) is that it’s not always easy to bypass the regulator should a fault occur (e.g. due to lightning) since the panels and battery are not matched (e.g. high voltage panels and lower voltage battery). With a series regulated system (like the Plasmatronics regulators), the system can be kept running by connecting the panels directly to the battery and manually regulating.
ORORA Solar Regulators
ORORA RO10+ , RO20+ and RO40+ Programmable Solar Regulators*
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- Temperature compensated 3 stage (boost/
absorption/float) series regulation with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) - Suitable for 12 or 24 V DC systems
- Automatic 12/24 V detection
- Optional remote display (ROM1) displays amp hours and battery voltage
- Full solid state protection
- Programmable for flooded or sealed batteries
- Choose between 5 load disconnect settings
- Optional external temperature sensor
- Built-in 1 year data logger for system analysis
- Programmable nightlight timer
- Optional USB interface (ROI + ROCOM) for download of data to computer.
- Prepared for DIN rail mounting (mounting device available as an accessory)
- Negative ground regulator (earth negative terminal)
The ORORA R010+ , RO20+ and RO40+ regulators are ideal for many applications, including caravans, motor homes, village lighting systems, cabin systems, telecommunications, etc.
The ORORA RO+ series uses advanced Pulse Width Modulation to use energy from the photovoltaic modules in the most efficient manner. Although factory programmed for flooded batteries, the regulator can be adjusted for gel or AGM batteries.
The ORORA RO+ regulators have many advanced features not found in regulators in this price range, these include Excess Energy Management Mode, where excess energy, normally wasted, can be utilized to run equipment, two programmable nightlight timers and a 1 year memory that can be used to identify any system problems. The ORORA RO+ solar regulator offers 5 selectable modes for deep-discharge protection: voltage controlled (2 presets), SOC% controlled (2 presets), and Adaptive SOC% Controlled (Fuzzy Logic). Acoustic warning signals can be programmed to alert the user of system installation errors, significant state of charge changes, as well as low-voltage disconnect.
The ORORA RO+ solar controllers provide extraordinary display, programming and safety features. Battery State of Charge (SOC%) is clearly displayed using an LCD bar chart. The LCD screen also displays system status icons indicating events such as: low-voltage disconnect, over-current, over-voltage, short circuits and thermal overload. The ORORA RO+ can also be linked to the ORORA Remote Display (ROM) which can be linked to the regulator with a cable up to a distance of 6 m.
ORORA Remote Display ROM1*
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Clear, readable 3-digit LCD display with system status symbols
Display panel current, load current, battery voltage, amp hour capacity, and battery state of charge
Prepared for DIN Rail or screw mounting
The ORORA Remote Display (ROM1) has been designed to function as a remote meter for the ORORA RO series charge controllers. The remote display can be used up to a distance of 6 m from the regulator via the interface connector. This is ideal for small systems where the solar regulator can be located in close proximity to the batteries and the remote meter can be conveniently placed so that battery condition can be monitored from the living area using the push button display.
The ORORA Remote Display is designed to display real-time panel input current, load output current, battery voltage/state of charge (%) as well as cumulative PV and load AH for the day. In addition, the ORORA Remote Display supplies system status icons to indicate when PV is charging, system overload, and low-voltage disconnect. Through the ORORA Remote Display historical data collected by the ORORA RO controller can also be accessed, including: Daily PV input, Load AH and Battery SOC%/Voltage in the morning of evening for each day.
Steca Solar Regulators
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We Err on the side of caution with the Steca solar Regulators because they are a shunt type regulator as apposed to a series regulator like Plasmatronics or MorningStar. Due to this design, the Steca controllers produce more heat when in use than a series regulator does. We de-rate these by 25% to 30% at a 25°c operating temperature and this de-rating continues / increases the hotter the controllers temperature gets.
Steca PR
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PR 0303, PR 0505
3 A - 5 A
12 V
The photovoltaic controllers PR 0303 and PR 0505 are used in small solar home systems with either a 3 or 5 Amp solar charging and load current capacity (up to 75 Wp). Loads such as lights, radios or small TVs can be switched off manually on the controller without additional wall mounted switches. In professional applications such as telecommunication, the controller can also be used in small photovoltaic power supply systems. Thanks to the universal series switching technology the controller can be used with amorphous, thin film and crystalline solar modules.
Steca Solsum
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5.0c, 6.6c, 8.0c, 10.10c
5 A - 10 A
12 V / 24 V
One of Steca’s bestsellers are the photovoltaic controllers of the Solsum C series which are used in small solar home systems with a 5 to 10 Amp solar charging and load current capacity (up to 240 Wp). The Solsum C series was launched in 2004 as a redesign of the Solsum X series. The C series advantages are large connection terminals, fully covered PCB and a easy to understand display. The electronic board uses automized through hole technology for easy local maintenance.
Steca PR 2020-IP
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IP 65 Version
20 A
12 V / 24 V
The PR 2020-IP design is based on Steca’s PR charge controller series with a customer designed LCD which shows the accurate state of charge (SOC) in percent and as battery gauge symbol. The heart of the controller is the integrated circuit called ATONIC® II, which contains the improved regulation software based on a self learning algorithm. The PR 2020-IP controller operates in harsh environments like salt, moisture and dust.
Steca PR Night
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PR 0606N, PR 1010N
6 A - 10 A
12 V / 24 V
The Steca PR Night is a solar lighting controller (up to 300 Wp) for automatic lighting control in various applications such as PV powered streetlights, bus shelters or billboard lighting. The controller detects day and night using the PV array. An entirely new feature is the integrated clock that sets itself automatically based on the levels of brightness detected during a 24 hour day. There are two major options:
• the light switches on after sunset
• the light switches on before sunrise
Steca PR
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PR 1010, PR 1515, PR 2020, PR 3030
10 A - 30 A
12 V / 24 V
The Steca PR charge controllers were launched in the year 2004 as the fifth generation of charge controller technology (up to 900 Wp). This high class state of the art product upgrades the Steca Solarix series by a customer designed LCD which shows the accurate state of charge (SOC) in percent and as battery gauge symbol. The heart of the controller is the integrated circuit called ATONIC®II, which contains the improved regulation software based on a self learning algorithm.
Steca Solarix
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Alpha, Gamma, Sigma, Omega
8 A -30 A
12 V / 24 V
Steca’s Solarix series is the world’s most sold PV charge controller for the use in medium sized solar home systems and PV power supplies in the range of 8 to 30 Amp (up to 900 Wp). The heart of the controller is the integrated circuit called ATONIC®, which contains the regulation software based on a self learning algorithm. The result is an accurate state of charge (SOC) metering of the battery, the best insurance for a long battery lifetime.
Steca Solarix
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2401, 4401
40 A
12 V / 24 V, 48 V
The Steca Solarix 2401 and 4401 controllers complete the product range of the Solarix Omega 30 Amps controller to 40 Amps solar current, available in 12 V, 24 V and 48 V. The load current is limited to 10 Amps. The charging procedures are based on voltage levels which can be individually adjusted by four buttons behind the front cover.
Steca Solarix ST
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ST 10B10, ST 10L10, ST 20B20, ST 20L20
10 A - 20 A
12 V / 24 V
This charge controller is based on Steca’s SOLARIX controllers in a IP 65 splash water proof enclosure. The Solarix ST controller operates in harsh environments like salt, moisture and dust. The 10 Amp version comes with a plastic IP 65 enclosure, the 20 Amp version in an aluminium body.