Go Power! GPR-25 User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

GPR-25 Regulator

www.carmanah.com

Technical Support: info@gpelectric.com

In US contact: 1-866-247-6527 In Canada contact: 1-800-667-6527

Toll Free Fax: 1-866-607-6527

Owner’s Manual |

GPR-25 Regulator

Table of Contents

1.0 Installation Overview..............................................................................................4

1.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................4

1.2 Specifications..................................................................................................4

2. Warnings....................................................................................................................5

3. Tools and Materials Needed.......................................................................................5

4. Choosing a Location...................................................................................................5

5. Installation Instructions...............................................................................................6

6. Operating Instructions................................................................................................6

7. Monitoring ..................................................................................................................7

8. Normal Status Scenarios............................................................................................7

9. Before You Read Troubleshooting .............................................................................8

10. Troubleshooting Problems........................................................................................8

10.1 Problems with both Voltage & Current..................................................................8

10.2 Problems with Voltage..........................................................................................9

10.3 Problems with Current........................................................................................10

10.4 Miscellaneous Problems ...................................................................................11

11. Wiring Diagram .......................................................................................................12

12. Limited Warranty....................................................................................................13

12.1 General Warranty Issues...............................................................................13

12.2 Repair and Return Information......................................................................13

13. PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM GLOSSARY...............................................................14

Document number: GPR-25_Manual_v4.doc

Last revised: June 21, 2007

charging the battery

protection

Jumper setting for

batteries

current flow

sealed or flooded

All lights are

LEDs and will

never burn out.

Low power

consumption at

Owner’s Manual |

GPR-25 Regulator

1.0 Installation Overview

1.1

Introduction

A Charge Regulator is an essential component of your photovoltaic system. The Regulator maintains the life of the battery by protecting it from overcharging. When your battery has reached a 100% state of charge, the Regulator prevents overcharging by limiting the current flowing into the batteries.

The GPR-25 is a 12 volt flush mounted photovoltaic charge regulator rated for a maximum current of 25 amps. The GPR-25 features an LCD digital display that shows solar array charge current and system battery voltage. An LED bar graph shows the battery state of charge.

20 mA

One convenient display

alternates between

voltage and current

(amperage) readings

1.2

Specifications

Coloured LED Bar

Graph shows

battery state of

charge

Charging light indicates when solar modules are

Digital display

shows real time

battery voltage and

charge current

5 year

warranty

Blocking diode

prevents reverse

Reverse

polarity

25 A Isc

charge

current

rating

Over current

protection

Full solid

state charge control

Description Value Dimensions (H x W x D): Nominal Voltage 12 V 107.95 x 190.5 x 19 mm Rated Current, Continuous Array Isc 25 A 4.25 x 7.5 x 1.6 in Array Voltage, Max Voc 26 V Quiescent Current 20 mA Hardware: #8/32 Current Consumption, Charging Typ. 20 mA Voltage Drop, Array to Battery, Typ. 0.8 V Weight: 172 grams Charge Termination Selectable Charge Resumption Operating Temperature Range

LCD Operating Temperature

Display Accuracy 2 Points Warranty: 5 Years

14.1 / 14.4 ± 0.2 V

13.0 ± 0.3 V

-40 to 85 ° C

-40 to 185 ° F

-10 to 55 ° C 14 to 131 ° F

6 ounces

Fuse: 25 Amp AGC

Max Wire Gauge: #8 AWG

Owner’s Manual |

GPR-25 Regulator

2. Warnings

Disconnect all power sources before attempting installation. Electricity can be very dangerous. Installation should be performed only by a licensed electrician or qualified personnel.

Battery and wiring safety. Observe all safety precautions of the battery manufacturer when

Wiring connections. Ensure all connections are tight and secure. Loose connections may

Work safely. Wear protective eyewear and appropriate clothing during installation.

Observe correct polarity Any contact in reverse polarity, however brief, will cause the at all times. regulator fuse to blow and may damage the unit.

Do not exceed the GPR-25 The current rating of the solar system is the sum of the short Current and Voltage circuit currents (Isc) of the solar modules in parallel. The ratings

resulting system Isc current is not to exceed 25 A. The voltage

handling or working around batteries. When charging, batteries may produce hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive. Work only in a well ventilated area and use caution when making or removing electrical connections. Ensure wires are disconnected from their power sources when wiring. Do not expose battery to open flame, cigarettes, or sparks. Shield skin and eyes from battery acid.

generate sparks.

Use extreme caution when working with electricity and when handling and working around batteries.

of the array is the rated open circuit voltage (Voc) of the solar module and is not to exceed 26 V. If your solar system exceeds these ratings, contact your dealer for a suitable regulator alternative.

3. Tools and Materials Needed

Drill with 3/32” and 3/8 bits UV Wire (Module(s) to GPR-25)* Keyhole or Jigsaw Battery Wire (GPR-25 to Battery)* Phillips Screwdriver Wire Cutters #8 Flat Washers Wire Strippers Pencil or Marking Implement Electrical Tape

* If the GPR-25 Charger Controller was purchased with a Go Power! Electric RV Solar Kit then UV resistant wire is included. For instructions regarding RV Charger Kit installation, please refer to the RV Charger Kit Installation Guide provided with the Kit.

4. Choosing a Location

The GPR-25 is designed to be mounted flush against a wall, out of the way and easily visible. The GPR-25 should be:

• mounted as close to the battery as possible.

• mounted on a vertical surface to optimize cooling of the unit.

• indoors, protected from the weather.

In an RV, the most common regulator location is above the refrigerator. The wire from the solar modules most commonly enters the RV through the fridge vent on the roof. Solar connections should connect directly to the regulator. Battery connections should connect directly from the regulator to the batteries. Do not tie the regulator wiring in with the refrigerator wiring or any other DC wiring.

If the flush mount option is not used, ensure that the optional knockout box (Model: GPR-25-KBox) is securely mounted to the wall before proceeding with the installation of the GPR-25 Regulator.

Document number: GPR-25_Manual_v4.doc

Last revised: June 21, 2007

Owner’s Manual |

GPR-25 Regulator

5. Installation Instructions

1. Prepare for mounting. Use the template provided at the end of the manual to mark the four

mounting holes and the “cutting line for flush mounting”.

2. Complete the installation of the solar modules. If this GPR-25 was purchased as part of a Go

Power! Electric Solar Kit, follow the RV Installation Guide provided. Otherwise follow manufacturer’s instructions for module mounting and wiring.

3. Select wire type and gauge. If this GPR-25 was purchased as part of a Go Power! Electric Solar Kit,

appropriate wire type, gauge, and length is provided. Please continue to Section 6, “Operating Instructions”. If the GPR-25 was purchased separately, follow the instructions included here.

Wire type is recommended to be a stranded copper UV resistant wire. Wire fatigue and the likelihood of a loose connection are greatly reduced in stranded wire compared to solid wire. Wire gauge should be able to sustain rated current as well as minimizing voltage drop.

Suggested Minimum Wire Gauge

(Cable length 25 ft max. from solar array to battery bank)

50 Watt #14 Wire Gauge 80 Watt #12 Wire Gauge 115 Watt #10 Wire Gauge 160 Watt #10 Wire Gauge 240 Watt #10 Wire Gauge

IMPORTANT: Identify the polarity (positive and negative) on the cable used for the battery and solar module. Use colored wires or mark the wire ends with tags. A reverse polarity contact, however brief, will blow the regulator fuse and may damage the unit.

4. Jumper setting for sealed or flooded batteries. Refer to the wiring schematic.

5. Wiring the GPR-25. Wire the GPR-25 according to the wiring schematic. Run wires from the solar

modules and the batteries to the location of the GPR-25. Keep the solar module(s) covered with an opaque material until all wiring is completed. Connect the battery wiring to the regulator first and then connect the battery wiring to the battery. The regulator should now be showing the battery voltage. Connect the solar wiring to the regulator and remove the opaque material from the solar module(s). The negative solar array and battery wiring must be connected directly to the regulator for proper operation. Do not connect the negative solar array or negative battery regulator wiring to the chassis of the vehicle.

6. Mounting the GPR-25. Mount the GPR-25 to the wall using the included four mounting screws. Place

washers between the wall and the back of the faceplate to create a gap that provides airflow to the back of the unit.

Congratulations, your controller should now be operational. If the battery power is low and the solar modules are producing power, your battery should begin to charge.

6. Operating Instructions

When connected to solar modules and batteries, the GPR-25 will automatically begin to function. It will regulate and monitor the battery state of charge. No further user intervention is necessary. The LCD monitor will cycle between array current and battery voltage.

+ 11 hidden pages

Go Power! GPR-25 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual