New charge controller for very small applications from Steca

The latest charge controller model from Steca GmbH of Memmingen, Germany, is also their smallest. With a maximum load current of 3 A at 50 °C, the PR0303 is suited for use with solar modules below power ratings of 50 W, making it ideal for solar home systems or small telecommunication systems.  

 

© Steca GmbH Young star of the Steca family: The new PR0303 charge controller for small power applications completes Steca's product series on the lower end.

An interesting feature of the PR0303 is its "switch function": The load (for example, lamps, radios, or small televisions) can be turned on and off with a switch on the controller housing, so no additional wall-mounting switches are needed. The PR0303 can be connected to all types of lead-acid batteries (open, AGM, and gel-electrolyte) up to nominal voltages of 12 V.

The device comes with an electric safety measure against reverse polarity, overheating, short circuit, overload, and high voltage. »This helps to protect the controller from destruction, especially during the installation phase. Mechanical safety measures, which are often replaced with aluminum foil in the field, can't protect the charge controller from recurring failure,« says Dirk Gutzeit, head of R&D in Steca's solar department.

The charge controller uses three LED lights to indicate the different states of charge. If the yellow LED is on, the battery is charged. As soon as the end-of-charge voltage level is reached, the yellow LED begins flashing. If a second, green LED shines brightly, the battery is fully charged; the weaker it gets, the more the battery is discharged. A red LED comes on in the event of short cuts in the load or deep discharge levels with the battery, which is a function of the discharge current. Steca says the maximum self-consumption of the PR0303 is 3 mA.

The device weighs 120 g and measures 15.5 × 9 × 3.3 cm. It complies with protection class IP 22, so it should be used outside only if an additional rain shield is available. The connection clamps fit with cable diameters between 6 and 10 mm.

Steca will offer the PR0303 beginning in June; it recommends that distributors charge an end-consumer price of €25 ($22.50) before taxes.

Steca GmbH
Mammostrasse 1
D-87700 Memmingen, Germany
phone +49/8331/8558-571, fax -12
info@steca.de ·
www.steca.de

Michael Schmela, Johannes Bernreuter
© PHOTON International, August 2002