EcoRenovator - View Single Post - 2 Charge controllers on same battery bank!?

Xringer · 10-12-11, 07:30 PM

Yeah, it might not work. Your charger does PWM and that might mess with the UPS charger..
But, maybe it's like my TriStar TS-45, which has a dip switch setting to reduce RF noise.
It turns off the PWM and goes into an OFF-ON type of charging.
(Not as effective as PWM, but does the job)..

Hey, I might have to try that out on my back-up rig..
I'll be able to listen to AM radio again during sunny days!!

Anyways, your PV charge controller should take itself out of charge mode,
when the bank hits it's target voltage (pre-set set-point).
So, if the bank voltage is being held high by the UPS charger.. Your PV goes unused.

But, if the bank is at 11.5 volts, both units will (should) try to feed it current..

I wonder about just using solar during sunny days and turning on the UPS charger at night..?.
If you had some real PV power, that would be the way to go..

10-12-11, 07:30 PM	#9
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Yeah, it might not work. Your charger does PWM and that might mess with the UPS charger.. But, maybe it's like my TriStar TS-45, which has a dip switch setting to reduce RF noise. It turns off the PWM and goes into an OFF-ON type of charging. (Not as effective as PWM, but does the job).. Hey, I might have to try that out on my back-up rig.. I'll be able to listen to AM radio again during sunny days!! Anyways, your PV charge controller should take itself out of charge mode, when the bank hits it's target voltage (pre-set set-point). So, if the bank voltage is being held high by the UPS charger.. Your PV goes unused. But, if the bank is at 11.5 volts, both units will (should) try to feed it current.. I wonder about just using solar during sunny days and turning on the UPS charger at night..?. If you had some real PV power, that would be the way to go..