[RE-wrenches] BZ Products Charge Controllers

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

Just for clarification, there is no "float" mode in BZ controllers, even though that is what they call it in the manual. There are two stages only, Bulk and Absorb. Once the voltage setpoint is reached, it remains constant. There is no 3rd stage where the voltage is lowered. 

This means you must choose low charge set-point so you are not overcharging the battery too much after it is 100%. This also means slower charge rate so more PV power is necessary, compared to 3-stage chargers, to accomplish 100% charge. To the best of my knowledge, all battery manufacturers require 3-stage (IUoU), temperature compensated charging.

USA made and customer support is great but some products are not as reliable as I demand for my customers.

Thank you,

Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems



On Apr 11, 2013, at 4:06 AM, mark at hurshtown.com wrote:

The float voltages are indeed adjustable, but with the MPPT500, they cannot be adjusted as high as the spec says they can.
For a 12V unit, the upper limit is often 14.4V, where the spec says 15.5V.

Mark
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