Specialty Concepts SC3/20 - Manual (Page 15)

“CHARGED” LIGHT: The "CHARGED" light will be on when the array is active and the battery
has already reached the charge termination voltage. It will go out when the battery drops below
the charge resume voltage.
Systems with high charge rate (more than 1 panel per battery), or with old batteries may see
the “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 a low output from the panels due
to shading low sun angle) may not see the “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.
“LOW VOLTAGE” LIGHT: This is a low battery voltage warning light. The “LOW VOLTAGE”
light will turn on if the battery voltage drops to 11.7 volts. At this point, system usage should be
minimized and if possible, an alternative method (alternator, generator, AC battery charger)
should be used to bring the battery voltage up. Once the voltage increases a small amount (by
charging or turning off large loads), the light will go off.
On units with the “E Option” (low-voltage load disconnect), the light will indicate disconnection
of the loads, which occurs at 11.5 volts.
SC3/20 STATUS
BATTERY
VOLTAGE ARRAY
CURRENT CHARGING
LIGHT LOW VOLT
LIGHT OTHER - STATUS
10-11.7 volts 0-20 amps ON ON Day - Battery is low and is
charging. Reduce usage and
charge from other source if
possible.
10-11.7 volts No amps OFF ON Night - Battery is low. Reduce usage
and charge from other source if
possible.
11.7-14.5 volts 0-20 amps ON OFF Day - OK - Battery charging
11.7-14.5 volts No amps OFF OFF Night - Battery OK
13-14.5 volts No amps OFF OFF OK -Charging stopped. Battery at or
near full charge
10-13 volts No amps OFF ON or OFF Day - Solar system should be
charging.
Check trouble shooting section.
14.7-up 0-20 amps ON OFF Day - Solar system should be off.
Check trouble shooting section.