SunCharger
Portable Solar
Panel
Models:
SC-05
SC-10
Please read this
manual BEFORE
operating the
units.
Owner's
Manual
2 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC.
OWNER'S MANUAL | Index
SECTION 1
Safety Instructions ............................................................... 3
SECTION 2
General Information ............................................................ 4
SECTION 3
Principles of Operation ........................................................ 6
SECTION 4
Installation & Operation ....................................................... 8
SECTION 5
Specications ..................................................................... 10
SECTION 6
Warranty ......................................................................... 11
SECTION 1 | Safety Instructions
Please ensure the following:
• Do not reverse the polarity of the connections – ensure that the Red Positive wire
is connected to the Positive terminal of the battery and the Black Negative wire is
connected to the Negative terminal of the battery
• Do not ex or bend the panel as this could cause damage to the PV cells and the
encapsulation layers
• Do not attempt to charge non-rechargeable batteries. This charger is meant only for
12 V, re-chargeable batteries
• Contact the battery manufacturer for questions on the battery specications
• Always charge lead-acid batteries in a well-ventilated area.
4 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC.
SECTION 2 | General Information
2.1 DESCRIPTION
The SunChargers SC-05 and SC-10 are portable solar panels designed for trickle charging
of 12 V nominal rechargeable Lead Acid batteries like those used in cars, boats, RV’s,
motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Powered Water Crafts (PWC). These can also be
used as DC power sources to charge small electronic devices like cell phones, iPods, iPhones,
PDAs etc. The rechargeable batteries inside these small electronic devices are charged
through their charging adapters.
2.2 SELF DISCHARGE AND TRICKLE CHARGING OF LEAD ACID BATTERIES
Self-discharge of a battery is the electrical Ampere Hour (AH) capacity that is lost when the
battery simply sits idle or in storage without any external load connected to it. Self-discharge
is caused by electrochemical processes within the battery and is equivalent to the application
of a small external load. For example, a lead-acid battery stored at 30oC / 86oF would self
discharge at around 1% per day. The self discharge increases with rise in temperature.
In order to compensate for the above self-discharge, a fully charged battery that is
idle or is in storage will require trickle charging at a very low Trickle Charge Current
of around C/100 Amps (where C is the Ampere Hour Capacity of the battery) to
maintain the fully charged state.
For example, an 80 to 100 Ah automotive SLI battery (Starting, Lighting and Ignition) will
require trickle charging current of around 0.8 to 1 A
!
NOTE:
As explained above, the trickle charging current provided by a Trickle Charger
is a very low current with a value of around C/100 A and this very low value current
will just be sufcient to compensate for the self discharge current. This current will not
be able to charge a discharged battery. For full scale charging of a battery, a standard
charger will be required.
2.3 FEATURES
• Efcient Design and Superior Quality
• Efcient poly-crystalline PV cells – 34 cells in series for the 4.8 W, SC-05 Panel and
36 cells in series for the 9.6 W, SC-10 Panel
• Solar cells are encapsulated by layers of EVA and berglass that provide excellent
moisture resistance and electrical isolation.
• A Blocking Diode is built-in thus preventing current from owing back from the
battery to the solar panel in darkness. Hence, the panels can be connected directly
to the battery without using an external Blocking Diode
• Top layer of clear, UV resistant, PVF (Poly Vinyl Fluoride – Trade Name – Tedlar)
provides good light transmission and protection from cuts and scratches
SECTION 2 | General Information
• Sealed junction box (houses the blocking diodes) has 3M of UL listed, sunlight
resistant output cable terminated with a Cigarette Lighter Plug (with 10 A fuse)
for convenient connection to any battery through the on-board 12 VDC Cigarette
Lighter Receptacle
• 12 V batteries can be charged directly without use of a Charge Controller provided
that the capacity of the battery is > 33 Ah for the 4.8 W, SC-05 panel and > 60 Ah
for the 9.6 W, SC-10 panel
• Every module is fully inspected and tested to ensure compliance with electrical,
mechanical and visual requirement
• Weatherproof - includes UV protection and protection from weather effects of -35°F
to 175°F (-37°C to 79°C).
• Easy Installation
• Slim-line and lightweight – No metal frame
• 4 grommet nished holes in the 4 corners for xing the panel
• 12 VDC Cigarette Lighter Plug for convenient connection to the vehicle battery
through the on-board 12 VDC Cigarette Lighter Receptacle
• Color coded wires for easy eld wiring – Positive (Red), Negative (Black)
2.4 APPLICATIONS
These chargers can be used for the following:
• To trickle charge 12 VDC Lead Acid batteries.
• To compensate for battery drain due to low currents drawn by small instrumentation in
vehicles. Electronics such as clocks, vehicle alarms etc add to the drain of the battery,
even when the ignition is off.
• To charge small electronic devices like cell phones, iPods, iPhones, PDAs etc. These
devices come with associated charging adapters that allow charging of their batteries
through a 12 V DC power source. These charging adapters come with a Cigarette
Lighter Plug for connecting to a DC power source through a Cigarette Lighter
Receptacle. As the Sun Charger comes with a Cigarette Lighter Plug, a suitable adapter
will be required to convert the Cigarette Lighter Plug of the SunCharger to a Cigarette
Lighter Receptacle (this adapter is not provided with the SunCharger).
!
NOTE:
The 4.8 W, SC-05 and 9.6 W SC-10 panels are not large enough to power laptop computers
6 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC.
SECTION 3 | Principles of Operation
3.1 ELECTRICAL OPERATING PARAMETERS OF A SOLAR PANEL
A solar panel can be considered as a current limited source of electrical power with a voltage
versus current relationship as shown in Fig 1.
Voltage - Current Characteristics
Voltage (V ), Volts
Current (I), Amps
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
0 5 10 15
V
MP = 16 V
V
OC = 20.2 V
V
OC = 21.5 V
V
MP = 17 V
I
SC = 0.6 A
ISC = 0.33 A
20 25
SC-05
SC-10
Fig 1 Voltage versus Current characteristics
When exposed to the sun and without any load connected, the solar panels will generate an
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc). As soon as a load is connected to the panel, the voltage at the load
will drop and the value of the voltage at the load will be determined by the current (I) drawn by
the load. Please note that at the Open Circuit Voltage Voc, the output current (I) is zero.
The electrical power (P) in Watts fed to the load = Voltage (V) X Current (I).
If the output of the panel is short circuited, the output current will be limited to the maximum
current that the panel can provide. This Short Circuit Current is designated as Isc.
The maximum power Pmp is fed to the load when the operating point is near the knee of the
curve as shown. At this operating point for maximum power output, the voltage is designated
as Vmp and the current is designated as Imp.
Please note that for the portion of the curve between Voc to Vmp, the current drops at a faster
rate. After that, the current is almost constant and equal to the Short Circuit Current Isc.
SECTION 3 | Principles of Operation
3.2 FACTORS AFFECTING VOLTAGE AND CURRENT OUTPUT OF A SOLAR PANEL
The following factors affect the voltage and current of a solar panel:
• The output voltage is not affected very much by the light conditions - under shaded / cloudy
condition, the output voltage will not vary very much as compared to bright sunshine
• The output current is very sensitive to the intensity of light and will drop considerably
under shaded or cloudy conditions
• Variation in temperature has a sizable effect on the output voltage – a Negative
Temperature Coefcient of -2.3 mV / °C / Cell resulting in increase in the voltage at lower
temperature and decrease in the voltage at higher temperature
• Variation in temperature has negligible effect on the current output
• The output current can increase by 25 % due to what is known as the “Edge of the Cloud
Effect”. As the sun moves between a hole in the clouds, the solar panel will see the full
direct sunlight combined with the reected sunlight from the clouds
3.3 BATTERY CHARGING OPERATION USING A SOLAR PANEL (See Fig 1).
When a battery is directly connected to the solar panel, the voltage of the loaded panel will be
equal to the initial battery voltage. At this point, the charging current (I) will be equal to the
corresponding value of the initial battery voltage on the V-I Curve
The current (I) fed from the panel will start charging the battery and the battery voltage will
start rising. As the battery is always connected to the panel, the panel voltage will be the same
as the battery voltage. It will be seen from the V-I curve that as the battery voltage rises, the
charging current will start reducing.
When a battery is fully charged, it will not require any further current for charging except the
very low self discharge current. If a charging current higher than the self discharge current
is continued to be fed to a fully charged battery, it will lead to damage to the battery due to
overcharging resulting in overheating and loss of water due to excessive electrolysis (conversion
of water to oxygen and hydrogen).
3.4 CHARGING A BATTERY BY A SOLAR PANEL USING A CHARGE CONTROLLER
For full scale charging of a battery from a solar panel, the output of the solar panel is required
to be fed to the battery through a Charge Controller. The Charge Controller transforms the
input power from the solar panel to regulated voltage and current necessary to safely charge
the battery as per the required charging algorithm e.g. 2/3/4 Stage Charging Algorithm.
8 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC.
SECTION 4 | Installation & Operation
4.1 CHARGING A BATTERY FROM A SOLAR PANEL DIRECTLY (WITHOUT USING
A CHARGE CONTROLLER)
For trickle charging a battery, a Charge Controller is not necessary as long as it is ensured that
the Short Circuit Current Isc of the solar panel is less than the Trickle Charge Current specied
for the battery that is being charged. As stated earlier, the Trickle Charge Current of a Lead Acid
Battery is around C/100 (where C is the Ampere Hour Capacity of the battery).
!
CAUTION!
In view of the above, direct trickle charging of batteries using the SC-05 and SC-10
SunCharger panels should be selected as follows:
SC-05: The Short Circuit Current is 0.33 A. Hence, the capacity of the battery to be trickle
charged should be more than 33 Ah.
SC-10: The Short Circuit Current is 0.6 A. Hence, the capacity of the battery to be trickle
charged should be more than 60 Ah.
As the standard automotive SLI batteries (Starting, Lighting and Ignition) are around 80 to
110 Ah, these can be trickle charged directly from the above 2 solar panels.
!
NOTE 1: The overall performance of the Solar Panel is dependent on a variety of
conditions including season, orientation with direct sunlight, cloudy conditions,
temperature, and shadowing. As a result, specied performance parameters will
be dependent of the placement of the Solar Panel.
NOTE 2: For safety against excessively high short circuit current ow from the battery to a
short in the panel circuit, a 10 A fuse is provided inside the Cigarette Lighter Plug.
4.2 PLACEMENT OF THE PANEL
• Securely place the solar panel facing the sun. Maximum power is generated when the top
surface of the panel is oriented perpendicular to the sun. Hence, tilt the panel in such a way
that it will be perpendicular to the strong midday sun, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This will
change with the seasons. In spring and the fall, a tilt between 40 and 45 degrees from the
ground will sufce for most North American residents. A little less in the summer (about 20 30 degrees) and a little more in the winter (about 60 - 70 degrees from the ground).
• Use the 4 grommet nished holes in the corners for xing the panel in the appropriate orientation
• Make sure that the panel is not shaded by shadows
• When using the panel in a vehicle, the panel may be placed on the dashboard and facing
the sun as explained above
SECTION 4 | Installation & Operation
4.3 TRICKLE CHARGING THE VEHICLE BATTERY THROUGH VEHICLE’S ON-BOARD
CIGARETTE LIGHTER RECEPTACLE
When using the solar panel inside a vehicle, connect the Cigarette Lighter Plug provided with the
solar panel to the Cigarette Lighter Receptacle in the vehicle. Make sure that the plug is pushed
in completely.
!
CAUTION 1! In some vehicles, the Cigarette Lighter Receptacle gets connected
to the vehicle’s starter battery only when the Ignition Switch is turned to the
Accessories (ACC) Position. In this case, the Ignition Switch will have to be turned
to the Accessories (ACC) Position to enable trickle charging of the battery.
CAUTION 2! Please note that when the Ignition Switch is turned to the Accessories
(ACC) Position, power is available to the built-in accessories like radio, CD / DVD Player
etc. Hence, please ensure that all these accessories are switched off to prevent drainage
of the battery.
4.4 TRICKLE CHARGING AN EXTERNAL BATTERY
When NOT used inside a vehicle, connection to the battery can be made using one of the following methods:
• Use separate Adapter Cable (not provided) that has a Cigarette Lighter Receptacle on one
end and Battery Alligator Clamps on the other end. Plug the Cigarette Lighter Plug of the
panel to the Cigarette Lighter Receptacle of the Adapter Cable. Then connect the Battery
Alligator Clamps to the battery ensuring correct polarity by matching the red clamp which
is Positive (+) to the Positive (+) terminal on the battery. Connect the black Clamp which is
Negative (-) to the Negative (-) Terminal on the battery.
4.5. DIRECTLY POWERING SMALL ELECTRONICS DEVICES LIKE CELL PHONES,
IPODS, IPHONES, PDAS, ETC
Please use the following method for directly powering small electronics devices like cell phones,
iPods, iPhones, PDAs etc. ( As mentioned earlier, laptop computers are not included as the
4.8 W, SC-05 and 9.6 W, SC-10 solar panels are not large enough to power laptop computers):
• Use separate Adapter Cable (not provided) that has Cigarette Lighter Receptacles on
both the ends. Plug the Cigarette Lighter Plug of the solar panel to the Cigarette Lighter
Receptacle of the Adapter Cable. Then connect the electronic device to the other Cigarette
Lighter Receptacle of the Adapter Cable.
10 | SAMLEX AMERICA INC.
SECTION 5 | Specications
Model No. SC-05 SC-10
Type of Cells Poly-crystalline Poly-crystalline
No. of Cells in Series in One String 34 36
Nominal Rated Power 4.8 W 9.5 W
Output Voltage (Open Circuit), Voc 20.2 VDC 21.5 VDC
Output Voltage (At Maximum Power Point ) V
MP 16.0 VDC
17.0 VDC
Output Current (Short Circuit) ISC 0.33 A 0.60 A
Output Current (At Maximum Power Point), IMP 0.30 A 0.56 A
Connecting Cable
3 M, AWG #18, Sunlight Resistant
Cigarrete Plug
Standard Cigarrette Plug with Replaceable
10 A Fuse Type AGC-10
Operating Temperature -35C to +79˚C
Dimensions (L x W x H)
304 x 254 x 13.5 mm;
12 x 10 x 0.53 in
304 x 381 x 13.5 mm;
12 x 15 x 0.53 in
Weights 0.55 Kg / 1.2 lb. 0.9 Kg / 2.0 lb.
SECTION 5 | Warranty
2 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
The SC-05 and SC-10 manufactured by Samlex America, Inc. (the “Warrantor“) is warranted
to be free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use and service. The
warranty period is 2 years for the United States and Canada, and is in effect from the date of
purchase by the user (the “Purchaser“).
Warranty outside of the United States and Canada is limited to 6 months. For a warranty
claim, the Purchaser should contact the place of purchase to obtain a Return Authorization
Number.
The defective part or unit should be returned at the Purchaser’s expense to the authorized
location. A written statement describing the nature of the defect, the date of purchase, the
place of purchase, and the Purchaser’s name, address and telephone number should also be
included.
If upon the Warrantor’s examination, the defect proves to be the result of defective material or
workmanship, the equipment will be repaired or replaced at the Warrantor’s option without charge, and returned to the Purchaser at the Warrantor’s expense. (Contiguous US and
Canada only).
No refund of the purchase price will be granted to the Purchaser, unless the Warrantor is
unable to remedy the defect after having a reasonable number of opportunities to do so. Warranty service shall be performed only by the Warrantor. Any attempt to remedy the defect by
anyone other than the Warrantor shall render this warranty void. There shall be no warranty
for defects or damages caused by faulty installation or hook-up, abuse or misuse of the equipment including exposure to excessive heat, salt or fresh water spray, or water immersion.
No other express warranty is hereby given and there are no warranties which extend beyond
those described herein. This warranty is expressly in lieu of any other expressed or implied warranties, including any implied warranty of merchantability, tness for the ordinary purposes for
which such goods are used, or tness for a particular purpose, or any other obligations on the
part of the Warrantor or its employees and representatives.
There shall be no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the part of the Warrantor or its
employees and representatives for injury to any persons, or damage to person or persons, or
damage to property, or loss of income or prot, or any other consequential or resulting damage which may be claimed to have been incurred through the use or sale of the equipment,
including any possible failure of malfunction of the equipment, or part thereof. The Warrantor
assumes no liability for incidental or consequential damages of any kind.
Samlex America Inc. (the “Warrantor”)
www.samlexamerica.com
Contact
Information
Toll Free Numbers
Ph: 800 561 5885
Fax: 888 814 5210
Local Numbers
Ph: 604 525 3836
Fax: 604 525 5221
Website
www.samlexamerica.com
USA Shipping Warehouse
Kent WA
Canadian Shipping Warehouse
Delta BC
Email purchase orders to
orders@samlexamerica.com
11014-SC-05-10-0415
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