New charge controller for small applications from Steca

Steca, a leading manufacturer of charge controllers, has developed a new device with a 5 A maximum charge and load current.

© Steca With the new PR 0505, Steca has expanded its series of charge controllers for very small solar applications.

The new PR 0505 comes on the heels of the market introduction of Steca's latest and smallest charge controller, the PR 0303, which has a maximum load current of 3 A (see PI 7/2002, p. 28). The series was designed for 12 V DC solar home systems. Sales started in October.

The housing and electronics of the PR 0505 are identical to the PR 0303. It has three LEDs – yellow, red, and green – to provide information on the operational status of the PV system. A special feature of this series is its »switch function«: Loads such as radios can be switched off with a button on the controller housing.

The charge controller is equipped with a protection against deep discharge, overload, and short circuit, and is electronically protected against reverse polarity connection of the battery. The device measures 14.6 x 9 x 3.3 cm. It complies with protection class IP22, so it shouldn't be used outside without additional rain shields. The PR 0505 costs about €31 ($30) before taxes.

Steca GmbH
Mammostrasse 1
87700 Memmingen, Germany
phone +49/8331/8558-0, fax -11
info@steca.de
www.steca.de

Susanne von Aichberger
© PHOTON International, November 2002