Solar Charge controllers: all you need to know

A solar charge controller is an electronic component that controls the amount of charge entering and exiting the battery, and regulates the optimum and most efficient performance of the battery. Batteries are almost always installed with a charge controller. The controller helps to protect the batteries from all kinds of issues, including overcharging, current leaking back to the solar panel during the night, the prevention of Undervoltage and it helps to monitor the status of the batteries.

How do Charge Controllers work?

Power generation solar power plants, wind power plants, tidal power plants, fuel cells, etc., are intermittent in nature, which means these power sources are not producing electricity constantly and at any moment of the day. For that reason they require a battery for storage of electricity. The battery does not perform any modification or transformation of the electrical current; it simply stores it. Whenever electricity is not available, the stored charge inside the battery is used to provide power to the loads. Batteries are almost always installed with a charge controller. As the name implies, a charge controller is an electronic module, which controls the amount of charge entering and exiting the battery. Charge controllers are installed for optimum and most efficient performance of the battery, and to protect the battery from over-and undercharging.

Voltage and battery (dis)charging

There’s an interesting relationship between the charging / discharging of batteries and its voltage. This relationship is graphically shown in below Figure 1. As the battery begins to discharge, it experiences a slight reduction in its output voltage. This relationship is used in the working of the charge controller. Charge controllers have built-in voltage sensing instruments (potentiometers), which sense the output voltage. Depending upon the output voltage, the charge controller determines the charge percentage of the battery, using a similar curve below. Figure 1: Typical discharge curve (voltage versus % charge) for a 24 volt lead acid battery Then depending upon the programmed parameters, the charge controller determines its course of action. For example: Solar charge controllers: Discharge curve batteryDischarge curve (voltage versus % charge) 24v lead acid battery

The charge controller can be programmed to disconnect the battery whenever it reaches 80% discharge. When the potentiometer senses an output voltage of around 22.8V (see curve above), it will open the breaker of the battery to disconnect it from the system, thereby protecting the battery. A large number of parameters can be programmed, each with a different action to be taken, depending on the user’s requirements.

Major functions performed by solar charge controllers

While the primary function of any charge controller is to control the amount of charge entering and exiting the battery, it is not its only function. Modern solar charge controller perform several other useful functions:

  1. Block reverse current

    This function facilitates a unidirectional flow of current from the solar panel to the battery, and blocks the reverse flow during the night. This helps to prevent batteries from unnecessary discharging and it increases the battery uptime.

  2. Under voltage protection

    Under voltage occurs when the batteries have lost 80% of their charge. It is recommended to take the battery out from the circuit and connect it back only during charging. As the charge level is proportional to voltage level, the charge controller cuts out the battery at a certain voltage level, preventing Under voltage situation.

  3. Prevent Battery Overcharge

    Overcharging of batteries could significantly reduce the lifetime of the batteries and is therefore not recommended. The charge controller stops the charging of the batteries once these are sufficiently charged.

  4. Configure Control Set Points

    Various set points could be edited and re-programmed using the charge controllers. This helps in fine tuning of your battery charging and discharging cycles to ensure the most efficient performance and longer life.

  5. Displays and Metering

    Various parameters could be monitored using the display screen of charge controllers. Some commonly monitored parameters include: Voltage level, Charged percentage, Current Discharge time at fill load, etc.

  6. Troubleshooting and Events History

    Some charge controllers have an inbuilt memory to save events and alarms with a date and time stamp. This events and alarms history helps for quick troubleshooting.

Pre-settings: Four Key Parameters

Below you find four key parameters that can be programmed in any charge controllers. They are:

  1. Regulation Set-Point

    This is the maximum set-point voltage. Any charge controller will protect the battery to reach a voltage in excess of this Voltage. At this point, it will discontinue any further battery charging.

  2. Regulation Hysteresis Set-Point

    This is the difference between the Regulation Set-Point Voltage and Voltage when full current is reapplied, also called Regulation Hysteresis Voltage Span. This set point should be as high as possible to prevent switching disruptions and harmonics.

  3. Low Voltage Disconnect Set-Point

    This is the minimum set-point voltage. Any controller will not allow the battery to reach a voltage lower than this Voltage. At this point, it will disconnect the load to prevent battery under discharge.

  4. Low Voltage Disconnect Hysteresis Set-Point

    This is the difference between the Low Voltage Disconnect Set-Point and Voltage at which the load will be reconnected, also called Low Voltage Disconnect Hysteresis Voltage Span. This set point should be as high as possible to prevent frequent disruptions to the connected load. Please note that these set-points shall be recommended by the manufacturer. If you use these parameters well, altering these set-points can result in a more efficient operation of your solar energy systems.

Spending money on a quality charge controller is a good investment

Without any doubt, a quality charge controller will protect and increase the battery life of your solar system and also helps in monitoring and quick troubleshooting. When using the right charge controller the lifetime of your battery bank can easily be extended with several months. As a charge controller only accounts for a small portion of the overall solar system cost, it’s highly recommended to purchase a quality charge controller.

Stephen Ashby
By

Stephen Ashby

on 10 May 2020

I have a small solar controller, it is black with the words 'Solar Charge Controller' at the top. There are 4 icons on the top left a LCD screen top center with 3 buttons underneath that. The top right has 2 USB ports. The manual is vague at best, the unit came with the battery type set to 61 but no explanation as to what type of battery that represents. I am using a 12volt gel battery and would need like to know what to set it to. Also the work mode, I would like to set it so it only outputs when the sun is shining as I am using this for a hydroponics setup. It came set to 24hours but again no explanation in the manual about setting this for alternatives. Any info you can supply will be greatly appreciated. I have googled for answers several times but cannot find what I need.

Matt
By

Matt

on 01 Sep 2021

Did you ever figure out what type 61, 62, 63, mean?. I am having the same issue in trying to figure this out. I think I might call top solar tomorrow to ask.

Rita
By

Rita

on 05 Oct 2021

Send a picture of your charge controller if you can.

Graeme
By

Graeme

on 28 Mar 2022

Hi Stephen I have same controller and my display screen has nothing showing at all. I have tried pushing the left hand info button but still a blank screen. There is definitely correct power to the controller. Any suggestions ?

Martins
By

Martins

on 21 Jun 2023

The charge controller you described clicks as a pulse width modulation type which usually does not allow user defined configurations. It works at best with predefined configuration. It doesn't have a relay feature to turn off the output of the battery

Martins
By

Martins

on 21 Jun 2023

Also, my recommendation is to use an external circuitry compromising of a timer relay and a contactor to control the output as desired

Alexander Mlisa
By

Alexander Mlisa

on 04 Apr 2020

Quite enlightening and relevant information it gave me a wider understanding

Solar newbie
By

Solar newbie

on 11 Mar 2019

At what voltage does a charger controller start charging the batteries

Loom Solar
By

Loom Solar

on 04 Oct 2018

nice very informative

Jenny Lane
By

Jenny Lane

on 17 Jun 2018

what does the 17:00 & 7:00 means in time load? & why do I need to set it?

Alfa Baye
By

Alfa Baye

on 10 Nov 2020

Very enlightening piece.Helped me understand better the technicalities associated with some of these devices

Faisal Arjumand Shah
By

Faisal Arjumand Shah

on 17 Jan 2021

My question is if the battery is fully charged during day time. Does the controller connects load directly to panel, since battery cannot be further charged or load remains connected to battery????

chander shekhar singh
By

chander shekhar singh

on 14 Feb 2021

if the battery is fully charged and it is disconnected from the circuit mean load are directly connected to solar panels. Am i right?

Tony Karol
By

Tony Karol

on 28 May 2021

I have a solar panel, a 12 volts battery and small controller. During daytime the panel starts to load power to the battery (charge or PV load) until full charge it automatically cut off. In the evening when switch on the power button it starts to load power to the lights ( battery load). Not long somewhere around 10 to 11 o'clock pm the power went off (black out); the battery load sign on the screen disappeared. What happened please explain.

Rita
By

Rita

on 05 Oct 2021

You are probably using more load than your system can supply power to. Check your electrical devices and make sure they can be used on your system.

Anderson Montanez
By

Anderson Montanez

on 22 Jun 2021

Very interesting...

Narjes hajati
By

Narjes hajati

on 18 Sep 2021

It was helpful...thank you.

Rita
By

Rita

on 05 Oct 2021

Interesting topic

Ashim Kumar Roy
By

Ashim Kumar Roy

on 08 Dec 2021

While a Charge Controller connect with full system without Load. what is self discharging Current at night ? MPPT or PWM Both.

Bevan Gibbs
By

Bevan Gibbs

on 13 Mar 2022

I have a Topsolar controller and am wondering if I can set It to turn some lights on for 2 hours In the morning the off until say 6pm and turn the lights on again for further 2 hours then off till next morning? Instructions are very vague. Thank you In advance.

Lubos
By

Lubos

on 30 Jan 2023

Good article but some diagrams could be given to describe the hysteresis set points. LJ

Majid Al-Rahbi
By

Majid Al-Rahbi

on 06 Apr 2023

great and useful information. it enhances our understanding of the change controllers. well done.

Sumain
By

Sumain

on 09 Sep 2023

It's an useful information and also enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the solar charge controller

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