Specialty Concepts SC3/10) - Manual (Page 6)

O P E R A T I O N D E S C R I P T I O N
SWITCHING SHUNT, PULSE CHARGE REGULATION: When in the charge mode, the SC3/10
allows maximum available array current to flow into the battery through a blocking diode, lighting
the yellow "Solar Charging" light. As the battery charges, the voltage will rise slowly until it
reaches the "charge termination" set-point. At this point, battery charging stops, the "Solar
Charging" light goes out and the green "Battery Charged" light goes on. When charging stops
the battery voltage will fall, and when the battery voltage drops to the "charge resumption" set-
point, the SC3/10 will resume charging.
M O N I T O R I N G
"SOLAR CHARGING" LIGHT: The "Solar Charging" light will be on when the array is active
(generating voltage) and the battery needs charging.
When the battery is at a low state of charge, the "Solar Charging" light will be on continuously
during the day. When the battery charges up, the light will go out for a while (until the voltage
drops a little) and then will be on again. When the battery is close to full charge, the light will
be on for short periods of time, and off for longer.
"BATTERY CHARGED" LIGHT: The "Battery Charged" light will be on when the array is active
and the battery has already reached the charge termination voltage.
Systems with a high charge rate (more than 1 panel per battery), or with old batteries may see
the "Battery Charged" light on sooner or more often. In this case batteries may not be fully
charged, but the controller is preventing overcharging by switching off for a brief period.
Systems with a low charge rate (1 panel to 2 or 3 batteries or low output from the panels due
to shading or low sun angle) may not see the "Battery Charged" light on even though the
batteries are actually fully charged. In this case, the batteries are not being overcharged so
the controller does not need to shut the array off.
NOTE: The charging light will be on when there is voltage from the solar panel and the battery
can use more charging. This could result in the "Solar Charging" light being on when the
panels are under lights or a full moon at night.
"LOW BATTERY" LIGHT: This is a low battery voltage warning light. The "Low Battery" light will
turn on if the battery voltage drops to 11.5 volts. At this point, system usage should be minimized
and an alternative method (alternator, generator, AC battery charger) should be used to bring the
battery voltage up. Once the voltage increases a little bit (by charging or turning off large loads),
the light will go off.