Specialty Concepts MARK/22 - Manual (Page 4)

FIGURE 1 MARK/(15,20,22) CHARGE CONTROLLER FIGURE 2 MARK/(15,20,22) - BACK VIEW
O P E R A T I O N
The operation of the MARK/(15,20,22) is completely automatic. This controller will regulate the charging of batteries during conditions of heavy usage, or when left
unattended for long periods of time. During operation, it is normal for the front plate to feel warm to hot depending upon the current available from the solar panels.
CHARGING METHOD: Low Frequency Pulse Width Modulation: - The MARK/(15,20,22) provides pulses of charging current at varying durations to maintain the
batteries at a full state of charge and insure the long-term health on the batteries. The “on” and “off” cycle time is wide enough to eliminate electronic noise and
short enough to insure the batteries are always topped off. This method allows the batteries to reach a higher voltage with the “on” cycle and protect the batteries
from gassing in the “off” cycle. This will provide the benefits of the higher voltage (reduced sulfation and stirred up electrolyte) and prevent excessive gassing and
excessive water loss.
A TYPICAL DAY: A typical daily cycle will be as follows. As the charging starts for the day and battery state of charge is low, charging will be continuous and the
“CHARGING” light will be on all the time. As the battery charges up, current will pass into the battery for a while and eventually stop. Later, charging will resume
and the system will continue this cycle throughout the day. During the course of the day, the duration of the charging period of each cycle will get shorter (cycling
on for shorter periods and staying off longer). When the battery is close to full charge, it will pulse current into the battery to achieve and maintain full charge. The
“CHARGING” light occasionally turning on and off indicates this pulse charging.
A R R A Y A N D B A T T E R Y F U S E S
ARRAY FUSE – An array fuse is included on the MARK/(15,20,22). It will protect the controller from over-current from the solar panels, battery short circuit and
incorrect wiring problems with the system. If the fuse continues to blow after all external problems have been corrected, then this may indicate a defective unit.
Fuse type: MARK/15: 20 Amp AGC, MARK/20, 22: 25 amp AGC
BATTERY FUSE - A battery fuse is included on the MARK/(15,20,22). This will protect the controller from over-current from the solar panels, reverse polarity from the
batteries and a battery short circuit and incorrect wiring problem in the system. If the fuse continues to blow after all external problems have been corrected, then
this may indicate a defective unit.
Fuse type: MARK/15: 20 Amp AGC, MARK/20, 22: 25 amp AGC.
M A I N T E N A N C E
AVOID DISCONNECTING BATTERY: Do not leave the battery disconnected from the MARK/(15,20,22) for an extended period of time (weeks or months). If you
need to, then disconnect both battery and array.
RECOMMENDED ANNUAL CARE: Any solar system, when designed correctly, should provide years of reliable charging with very little user involvement. To assure
system reliability, an annual routine of checking the electrical connections is recommended, especially on a moving vehicle exposed to road vibrations. Over
time, electrical connections can deteriorate or corrode causing a voltage drop and possible hot-spots at the problem area.
WHAT TO CHECK: Check to confirm all wire connections are sound and free from corrosion. Tighten terminal block screws, inspect any fuse connections in-
line, the array connections and battery terminals. Also, consider checking for a voltage drop. See INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, step #17: CHECK FOR
VOLTAGE DROP (Page 3).
C H A R G E S E T - P O I N T A D J U S T M E N T
CHARGE SET-POINT ADJUSTMENT SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED WITH CAUTION. IMPROPER CALIBRATION CAN RESULT IN BATTERY AND
EQUIPMENT DAMAGE.
CAUTION - The standard charging set-points of the MARK/(15,20,22) will be proper for a majority of the applications, however the MARK/(15,20,22) allows field
adjustment of these set-points. Caution should be used. It is a common belief that increasing a set-point up will correct an under-charged battery. In fact, this
adjustment will not affect the battery level but instead will cause the battery to overcharge once the sizing problem is corrected. For under-charged batteries, refer to
BATTERY PROBLEMS in the TROUBLESHOOTING section (Page 8).
STANDARD SET-POINT: 14.4 volts for charge termination. Once the charging stops, the voltage will immediately drop to a lower voltage.
WHEN ADJUSTMENT IS NOT NEEDED:
An adjustment will not make the batteries charge faster.
4
FUSE RATINGS:
A = Fuse / Disconnect switch
Mark/15 = 20 amp, Mark/20, 22 = 25 amp
B = Rated for load
Array (+)
+
+
LOAD
BATTERY
A
Batt (-)
Batt (+)
Array (-)
←
B
SOLAR PANEL ARRAY
-
+
Charge Set-Point Adjust.
Adjust the trimpot here to modify the charge
set-point. Refer to the front display
(CHARGE SET-POINT) to view setting. Turn
counter-clockwise to increase voltage and
clockwise to decrease voltage.
Bar-graph selector :
For “Bar” readings, place jumper across
both pins.
For “Dot” readings, place jumper across only
one of the pins (“storage position”).
Fuses :
MARK/15: Access from front
MARK/20, 22: Access from rear
TOP FUSE:
ARRAY
BOTTOM FUSE:
BATTERY