sunsei SolarCharger 4000, SolarCharger 6000, SolarCharger 8000 Operating Instructions Manual

Page 1

SOLARCHARGER

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

SolarCharger 4000:

1 Sunsei™ Solar Module 4A, 16.5V (65W) 1 Power cable, AWG12 gauge, 10 feet 4 Standard stainless steel “S” mount brackets, with accessories

SolarCharger 6000:

1 Sunsei™ Solar Module 6A, 16.5V (100W) 1 Power cable, AW G12 gauge, 10 feet 4 Standard stainless steel “S” mount brackets, with accessories

SolarCharger 8000:

1 Sunsei™ Solar Module 8A, 16.5V (130W) 1 Power cable, AWG12 gauge, 10 feet 6 Standard stainless steel “S” mount brackets, with accessories

4000/6000/8000

Operating Instructions

Important Note:

Controller with the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 to protect your battery from overcharging and optimize the charging process.

“S” mount brackets

SolarCharger

Power cable

It is essential to use a Sunsei™ Charge

IMPORTANT! Please read the instructions before operating.

• When working around batteries and other electrical equip ment, please observe industry standard and manufacturer’s safety procedures.

• Install solar charger in low light conditions to reduce the risk of electrical sparking.

• Make connections in a well-ventilated area free from

ammable gases or vapors.

• For 12V systems, ALL connections should be in PARALLEL: Positive (+) to Positive (+), Negative (-) to Negative (-).

• DO NOT attempt to recharge NON-RECHARGEABLE batteries.

• Always CONNECT the charge controller to the battery FIRST.

• When disconnecting your solar panel DISCONNECT the battery LAST.

• Do not connect the solar panel directly to the battery without using a Sunsei™ Charge Controller.

• Fuse wires extending from the battery to protect against battery short circuits.

Sunsei™ Charge Controllers

(available for purchase separately):

Charge Controller

DIGITAL SOLAR POWER C ONTRO LLER / CHA RGER

CC10000:

CC20000D

B A

c .r

l os

e s nus

w w

Two-step charging, overcharge protection; used in

BATTERY VOLTAGE ARRAY CURRENT CHARGE SET-POINT BATTERY VOLTAGE

GOOD

(BAR-GRAPH OFF)

CHARGING

CHARGED

VERY LOW

icpsolar.com

www.

BATTERY AND ARRAY FUSE ON BACK

UNIT MAY BE WARM DURING OPERATION

systems up to 10A capacity (150W).

CC20000D:

Overcharge protection; used in systems up to 20A capacity (300W) with digital LCD for voltage and current outputs & LED battery condition indicator.

CC25000:

Two-step charging, overcharge protection; used in systems up to 25A capacity (390W) with battery voltage indicator and reverse polarity protection.

If the vendor from whom you have purchased this solar panel does not carry Sunsei™ Charge Controllers, please visit

www.sunseisolar.com

for a dealer near you.

Page 2

SOLARCHARGER

Operating Instructions

4000/6000/8000

INStallatIoN

Step 1: poSItIoNINg

Select a location where your solar panels will get maximum daily sunshine exposure avoiding any shade. This may be on the roof or exterior walls of homes, cabins, RVs, etc. Ideally, try to have your panel facing perpendicular to the strong midday sun, between 10AM and 2PM.

Step 2: MouNtINg

Choose a solid and supportive mounting surface, capable of withstanding all expected loads, including the weight of the solar panel as well as those imposed by wind and snow.

FIg. 1 -

screws and bolts provided. Use at least one bracket on every side of the panel.

FIg. 2 -

Tighten screws to secure brackets to frame.

FIg. 3 FIg. 4 - Using screws provided, secure solar panel to surface

selected in step 1.

Attach “S” mount brackets to solar panel frame using

Position brackets on frame by sliding along track. Connect power cable to solar panel connector.

1. 2.

Step 3: MultI-paNel CoNNeCtIoN

If you have more than one SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panel, simply connect the Plug’n’Play® corner of one panel to the next using the quick-connect cable (SKU#10222, available for purchase separately). Observe steps 1 and 2 when mount ing additional panels.

Step 4: Charge CoNtroller to Battery CoNNeCtIoN

Place the charge controller in a cool, dry and well ventilated area that can be easily accessible, usually around the bat tery compartment or in the cabin area. Connect the charge controller’s output or BATTERY+ Negative (black or -) connec tion to the Negative (-) terminal of the battery. Next, connect the controller’s output or BATTERY Positive connection (red or +) to the Positive (+) terminal of the battery.

WarNINg! reVerSe CoNNeCtIoN to the Battery IS a FIre haZarD. It May DaMage your Solar Battery Charger. pleaSe oBSerVe proper polarIty. CoNSult your SuNSeI™ Charge CoNtroller INStruCtIoN MaNual.

Step 5: Charge CoNtroller to paNel CoNNeCtIoN

First, connect the power cable to the charge controller’s input or “Solar Panel / Array” connection. Start by connecting the black negative (-) wire of the power cable to the charge controller’s Negative (-) connection. Then, connect the red positive (+) wire of the power cable to the positive (+) con nection of the controller. Second, plug in the quick-connect side of the cable to your solar panel’s quick connect port.

3. 4.

NOTE: For more details on the charge controller operation, consult the controller instructions included with your Sunsei™ charge controller (available separately).

NOTE: Remove yellow wire protector caps prior to connecting to a Sunsei™ charge controller.

Page 3

trouBleShootINg

If your SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panel does not seem to be performing properly, start by addressing the following points:

1. Inspect connections for any sign of corrosion or loose wires. All connections for a 12V system should be in parallel, meaning positive (+) to positive (+), negative (-) to negative (-).

2. Test the panel’s open circuit voltage (Voc). To reduce risk of sparking, cover the panel before disconnecting it from the battery. Using a well-calibrated voltmeter, measure the open circuit voltage (Voc) across the positive (+) and negative (-) o-ring terminals. You should measure between 19V to 24V DC under FULL sunny conditions.

3. Test the panel’s output current between it and the battery. Connect the panel’s negative wire to the battery and insert a

DC amp meter with sufcient rating for the expected panel

output between the positive wire of the panel and the posi tive post of the battery. You should get a reading close to the panel’s peak operating current, depending on sunlight condi tions.

4. Verify the condition of the battery. Over time, a battery will lose its ability to recharge, especially after repeated heavy cycles of charge and deep discharge. Contact your battery’s manufacturer for more detailed guidelines on battery testing.

5. Make sure your system is properly sized for your power needs. Please refer to the Application Chart for a guideline of what can be powered by your SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panel. If additional assistance is required for sizing your system, please contact our Technical Support Department at

[email protected]

FreQueNtly aSKeD QueStIoNS (FaQ) Q1: Can I connect my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 solar

panels together WITHOUT the panel-to-panel connector cable?

No. The panel-to-panel connector cables are designed

specically for Sunsei™ SolarCharger panels. Without them,

you risk a poor or inversed connection.

Q2: What type of batteries can I recharge?

You can recharge all types of 12V batteries including

lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 to run appliances on a regular basis, we recommend the use of deep cycle marine batteries, which are designed to withstand frequent charge and discharge cycles.

Q3: How long will it take my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 to recharge a dead battery?

Please refer to the Approximate Charging Times chart.

a: Q4: Can I charge more that one battery at the same time

using the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000?

Yes, the charge can be applied to a bank of batteries.

When attached to a bank of two or more batteries, the total power input will be divided into that number of batteries. The higher the number of batteries, the longer it will take to recharge the battery bank.

Q5: Can the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 drain my battery at night?

Once a Sunsei™ Charge Controller is installed, there is no

danger of reverse current so you can leave your SolarCharger installed overnight.

Q6: Without a Sunsei™ Charge Controller, can the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 overcharge my battery?

Yes, that is why it is important to install a charge

controller between the solar panel and the battery.

connect the charger directly to the battery. Q7: Can I run my 110V appliances using my SolarCharger

4000/6000/8000 panels?

Not directly. But it is possible to run your 110V appliances

with the use of an inverter (purchased separately) that will change the battery’s 12V (DC) output into 110V (AC) power.

Q8: Can I extend my wiring?

Yes. You can extend the wiring of 8A (135W) or less solar

panels using AWG12 within 20 feet. For longer distances or higher currents, higher gauge wire with a smaller AWG number can be used.

Do not

Page 4

SOLARCHARGER

Operating Instructions

4000/6000/8000

FreQueNtly aSKeD QueStIoNS (FaQ) Q9: Can my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 be left outdoors

without protective covering?

Yes. The SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels have been

weatherproofed and can be mounted outdoors, with the Sunsei™ charge controller kept indoors.

Should I disconnect my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000

Q10:

from the battery when I start my vehicle’s engine or while recharging with an auxiliary power source?

No. It is safe to leave your SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000

panels connected to your vehicle’s battery when starting the engine or when charging through an auxiliary power source. The charger will not be damaged nor will it interfere with on-board electronics.

WarraNty

ICP Solar Technologies grants the original purchaser of the Sunsei™ SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 a 20-year warranty on the power output and a 2-year warranty on the materials of the module. ICP guarantees that the unit will produce a minimum 80% of its original minimum power rating for the Warranty Period from the purchase date. ICP warrants the module to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal applications, installation, use and service conditions for the Warranty Period from the purchase date. ICP will, at its option, either repair or replace the product if it becomes inoperable due to a defect in material or labor during the Warranty Period. This warranty does not cover installation or costs derived thereof. ICP shall not be responsible for any costs due to removal, shipment, re-installation or any other loss due to warranty servicing. The maximum liability to ICP under this warranty shall not exceed the purchase price of this module. This warranty does not cover any module that has been damaged by misuse, neglect, improper installation or

acts of God, including lightning, oods, earthquakes, re and

high winds. This warranty does not cover accessories included with the product. This warranty does not cover product that is broken after purchase. ICP shall not be responsible for any damage to persons or property caused by improper installation, misuse or improper handling of this product. Some states do not allow exclusion or limitation of accidental or consequential losses so the exclusions may not apply to the

purchase. This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you

may have other rights, which vary from one state (or province) to another. Please note that ICP will not accept returns without prior authorization. The original proof of purchase is required for warranty validation.

Warranty for accessories: A 2-year warranty is given on accessories such as, but not limited to, cables included with the product. The warranty applies from the original purchase date.