Specialty Concepts ASC 16 Amp 24 Volt PWM Charge Controller
Options: Temp Compensation
Manufacturer Part Number: ASC-24/16 A
The ASC (Automatic Sequencing Charger) has been the industry standard for more then 24 years. With a remarkably low failure rate (< .1%), and its robust and waterproof construction, it is just right for those applications that require the utmost in reliability. Available in 12 and 24 volt (6, 36, and 48 volt available on special order), with capacities from 1 to 16 amps. Available with optional temperature compensation and automatic low-voltage load disconnect. Ten year limited warranty (see warranty for details). The ASC meets the requirements for RoHS.
Features
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Completely encapsulated and waterproof
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Optional internal or external temperature compensation
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Optional 10A Load Disconnect (12, 24 volt only)
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Available in 4, 8, 12, and 16 amp versions
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Available in 12 volt and 24 volt (6 volt, 36 volt, and 48 volt on special order)
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Guaranteed to fully charge a completely dead battery
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The ASC IS UL recognized, CSA approved, and FM approved.
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Made in America with a 10 year warranty
Specifications
Model
|
Voltages Available
|
Currents Available
|
Options
|
ASC
|
12 Volt
|
4 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
8 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
12 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
16 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
ASC
|
12 Volt
|
8 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
16 Amp
|
A - Temperature Compensation
|
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD)
|
F - Adjustability
|
Detailed Description
The ASC photovoltaic battery charge controller is ideal for 1-4 solar panel systems. This unit offers unsurpassed protection to your batteries from overcharging.
This rugged unit holds the record for high reliability since 1981. The standard ASC is UL recognized and is FM approved for hazardous locations. The ASC is also CSA approved for Canadian markets. Contact factory for specific information.
About the Manufacturer
Specialty Concepts Inc. manufactures the most reliable line of electronics for photovoltaic systems in the world. For over 30 years, we have been producing high-quality, reliable units. Today, there are well over 1,500,000 pieces of Specialty Concepts' equipment throughout the world controlling many megawatts of PV power.
Charge Regulation
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12 volt units: 4,8,12,16 amps
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24 volt units: 8 and 16 amps
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6, 36 and 48 volt units available
(contact factory for current ratings)
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Switching shunt, pulse charging
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Low switching frequency (no noise)
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No minimum operating voltage (can
charge a dead battery)
-
Remote temperature compensation
(optional, not available on 6 volt)
Low Voltage Disconnect Option (LVD)
-
10 amp LVD Relay
-
Contacts for generator start or alarm
Design Features
-
Completely encapsulated for
environmental protection (suitable
for outdoor mounting)
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100% solid state charge control
-
Reverse leakage protection -blocking
diode
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Lightning protection
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Input noise suppression
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Low power consumption
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Simple (low component count) with
rugged circuitry
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12 AWG terminal block (10 AWG
stranded OK)
Monitoring & Mounting
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Charging light
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LVD activated light (with LVD)
Options
A - Temperature Compensation
Temperature compensation is
generally recommended for sealed
batteries or where batteries are
expected to experience temperature
variations of more than + 10° from
25°C during periods of charging. A
small temperature sensor on a 10 foot
lead monitors battery temperature and
adjusts the charging thresholds
according to battery temperature. The
rate of compensation is -5mv/°C per
battery cell from 25°C.
E - Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) /
Generator Start
The ASC can be provided with an
auxiliary relay. This relay can be used
to protect the battery from low-voltage
damage by disconnecting loads or by
signaling a standby generator to start
or stop battery charging. The relay is
rated for 10 amps and provides the
common, the normally open and the
normally closed voltage free contacts.
The relay consumes 30 ma when
activated and is activated at 1.92 + .
03 volts/cell and deactivated at 2.17 +
.03 volts/cell. A separate terminal
block is provided for connection.
F - Adjustability
The ASC may be ordered with the
adjustment pot available to change
the charging set-points if required.
Load disconnect set-points are also
adjustable for units with E-option
(LVD / Gen. start).
Operation
Switching Shunt Regulation
The ASC will allow maximum array
current to flow into the battery through a
blocking diode, lighting the
"charging" light (LED), until the
battery voltage reaches the charge
termination set-point. At this point, a
shunt transistor will turn on, shorting out
the solar array, turning off the
"charging" LED and halting any
further battery charging. When the
battery voltage drops to the charge
resumption set-point, the shunt transistor
will turn off and charging will
resume. The result is that when battery
capacity is low, charging will be
continuous. As the battery charges up,
current will pass into the battery for
shorter and shorter periods, until at full
charge, it will pulse current into the
battery to achieve and maintain full
charge.
For Larger Arrays
The ASC can
be wired in parallel to sub-arrays. This
method provides the added reliability of
independent, redundant charge controls
and allows for sequential charging.