 Charge
Controllers - Morningstar - SunSaver Duo
Morningstar’s
SunSaver Duo is an advanced PWM two battery controller
for RV’s, caravans, boats and cottages.
This technology
provides:
• Two Battery Charging
• Backlit Remote Meter
• Easy Installation
• Lower Cost
SunSaver Duo Features:
• Solar charge current is shared between the two batteries.
• Two battery charging eliminates the added cost of two separate
solar charging systems.
• Remote meter may be mounted in or on a wall and displays
digital and pictorial status information.
• Includes controller, meter and 10 m (33 ft.) of meter wire.
 Morningstar’s
SunSaver Duo is an advanced PWM two battery controller for RV’s,
caravans, boats and cottages.
This product
will charge two separate and isolated batteries at the same time,
such as a “house” and an engine battery, based on user
selectable priorities. The SunSaver Duo employs Morningstar’s
legendary SunSaver controller technology, whose long-term track
record for high reliability and improved battery charging is well-recognized
in the solar industry. This controller also includes a backlit remote
meter which may be mounted in or on a wall, and displays digital
and pictorial status information about the solar power system.
The SunSaver
Duo is epoxy encapsulated for environmental protection, is user
adjustable via DIP switch or connection to a personal computer,
and has an optional remote temperature sensor.
Two Battery
Charging
Solar charge current is shared between the two batteries based on
a user selectable priority. When one battery is fully charged, all
of the charge current flows to the other battery.
Provides
Useful Information
The remote meter and LED’s display system status data and any
system errors. Custom icons and back lighting make the meter easy
to read and understand.
Lower Cost
Two battery charging eliminates the added cost of two separate solar
charging systems and the need for isolation between the batteries.
Easy to Install
The controller is installed near the batteries using the clearly
labeled large wire terminals. The remote meter may be mounted in
the wall or on the wall using the included frame. Also includes
the meter wiring with RJ-11 connector.
Longer Battery
Life
Four stage series PWM pulse charging and temperature compensation
increases the useful life of the batteries.
Extensive
Electronic Protections
The controller will not be damaged by wiring mistakes during installation.
There are no fuses to replace, and the controller will automatically
re-set after a wiring mistake.
Highly Reliable
Epoxy encapsulation protects the controller against dust and high
humidity. Efficient electronics and a conservative thermal design
allow the controller to operate reliably at high temperatures.
Dimensions:
6.7” x 2.2” x 1.6”. Units weigh .57 lbs. 5 year warranty,
15 year estimated life.
Click
here
for the SunSaver
Duo Specifications in PDF Format
SunSaver
Duo Uses PWM Technology
What is PWM?
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is the most effective means to achieve
constant voltage battery charging by switching the solar system
controller’s power devices. When in PWM regulation, the current
from the solar array tapers according to the battery’s condition
and recharging needs.
Why is there so much excitement about PWM?
Charging a battery with a solar system is a unique and difficult
challenge. In the "old days", simple on-off regulators
were used to limit battery outgassing when a solar panel produced
excess energy. However, as solar systems matured it became clear
how much these simple devices interfered with the charging process.
The history
for on-off regulators has been early battery failures, increasing
load disconnects, and growing user dissatisfaction. PWM has recently
surfaced as the first significant advance in solar battery charging.
PWM solar chargers
use technology similar to other modern high quality battery chargers.
When a battery voltage reaches the regulation setpoint, the PWM
algorithm slowly reduces the charging current to avoid heating and
gassing of the battery, yet the charging continues to return the
maximum amount of energy to the battery in the shortest time. The
result is a higher charging efficiency, rapid recharging, and a
healthy battery at full capacity.
In addition,
this new method of solar battery charging promises some very interesting
and unique benefits from the PWM pulsing. These include:
1. Ability
to recover lost battery capacity and desulfate a battery.
2. Dramatically increase the charge acceptance of the battery.
3. Maintain high average battery capacities (90% to 95%) compared
to on-off regulated state-of-charge levels that are typically 55%
to 60%.
4. Equalize drifting battery cells.
5. Reduce battery heating and gassing.
6. Automatically adjust for battery aging.
7. Self-regulate for voltage drops and temperature effects in solar
systems.
How does
this technology help me?
The benefits noted above are technology driven. The more important
question is how the PWM technology benefits the solar system user.
Jumping from a 1970’s technology into the new millennium offers:
• Longer
battery life:
• reducing the costs of the solar system
• reducing battery disposal problems
• More battery reserve capacity:
• increasing the reliability of the solar system
• reducing load disconnects
• opportunity to reduce battery size to lower the system cost
• Greater use of the solar array energy:
• get 20% to 30% more energy from your solar panels for charging
• stop wasting the solar energy when the battery is only 50%
charged
• opportunity to reduce the size of the solar array to save
costs
• Greater user satisfaction:
• get more power when you need it for less money!!
Are all of
these benefits tested and proven?
A great deal of testing and data supports the benefits of PWM. More
information is attached that describes the technology and various
studies. Morningstar will continue our ongoing test programs to
refine the PWM charging technology. Over time, each of these benefits
will be improved and more clearly defined with numbers and graphs.
Are all PWM chargers the same?
Buyer beware! Many solar charge controllers that simply switch FETs
differently than the on-off algorithm claim to be a PWM charger.
Only a few controllers are actually using a Pulse Width Modulated
(PWM) constant voltage charging algorithm. The rest are switching
FETs with various algorithms that are cheaper and less effective.
Morningstar was awarded a patent in 1997 for a highly effective
battery charging algorithm based on true PWM switching and constant
voltage charging. All Morningstar products use this patented algorithm.
Call
toll-free (877) 297-0014
for expert assistance.
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