Wirthco 23125 User manual

702-000197 P.1
12 Volt 30 Amp Digital Solar Charge Controller #23125
Installation & Operation Manual
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION: SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
THIS MANUAL CONTAINS IMPORTANT SAFETY AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR 12V
SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER. KEEP IT WITH OR NEAR THE CONTROLLER AT ALL TIMES.
The charge controller is designed to protect your 12 Volt Lead-acid or Gel-cell battery from being overcharged by
solar panel, which prevents discharging of battery during nighttime. This controller reduces overall system
maintenance and prolongs your battery life. It will display the charging current or battery voltage from the LCD digital
meter; also indicate the battery condition with LED bar-graph. This controller is design to work with all kinds of 12
Volt solar panels for indoor use.
WARNING: RISK OF EXPLOSIVE GAS- Working in the vicinity of a lead acid battery is dangerous. Batteries generate
explosive gases during normal battery operation. Always work in a well-ventilated area.
•DO NOT smoke, strike a match, or cause a spark in vicinity of battery during charging.
•CAUTION: DO NOT EXCEED THE UNIT’S VOLTAGE AND CURRENT RATINGS:
• MAXIMUM solar array voltage rating of 25 volts.
•MAXIMUM charging current 30 amps.
•CAUTION: DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE RECOMMENDED WIRING INSTRUCTIONS:
• DO NOT reverse the Battery and Solar Array connections to the controller.
•DISCONNECT the controller from the solar array and battery before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.
•Do not disassemble the controller. Take it to a qualified service center when service or repair is required. Incorrect
reassembly may result in a risk of damage to the Solar system.
•Installation should be made by a qualified person.
PERSONAL PRECAUTION:
• If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flush eye with
running cold water for at least 10 minutes and get medical attention immediately.
• Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping a metal tool onto battery. It might sparks or short-circuit the battery or other
electrical parts that may cause explosion.
Controller Dimension
150mm
180
164
Features
•Digital Meter –Battery voltage or charging current are shown
digitally.
•Protect and Maintain battery –Protect batteries from overcharging and
maintains batteries in fully charged state.
•Battery Type selector –Selection of the Gel-cell or Lead-acid battery
for better charging result.
•Safety circuit protection –Reverse polarity protection
•Reverse leakage protection –Protect batteries discharged by solar panel.
•Temperature Protection–Over temperature protection and auto-resume
•Status Lights –Easy reading LED indicators.
•Terminal Block –Easy wire connections
•Mounting Options –Panel mounting / wall mounting.
Installation and Operation
1. Mounting
1.1 Mounting Consideration: - The solar controller is designed to be flush mounting or wall mounting.
1.2 Flush mounting: The flush mounted unit requires a rectangular cutout in the mounting surface with sufficient
space (2-3 inches) behind to accommodate the controller.
1.3 Wall mounting: The wall-mounted unit is installed onto a wall surface using two mounting screws. Electrical
connections are made to the back of the controller. Wiring can be run down the wall or through a hole in the wall
directly below the controller.
1.4 Recommended Battery Capacity: 12V 45AH minimum.

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2. Connection Procedures (refer to Connection diagram)
2.1 Fix the mounting of the solar controller panel.
2.2 Select Lead-Acid or Gel-cell Battery modes.
2.3 Connect the solar panel positive side to the solar controller ARRAY POSITIVE + with a suitable wire (Be careful DO NOT
short circuit the solar array.)
2.4 Connect the solar panel negative side to the solar controller ARRAY NEGATIVE–with a suitable wire
2.5 Connect the battery positive side to the solar controller BATTERY POSITIVE + with a suitable wire.
2.6 Connect the battery negative side to the solar controller BATTERY NEGATIVE –with a suitable wire.
Any wiring variation of size or length can affect the LCD meter performance
3. Wire size: - Refer to the “WIRE SIZE” chart below to determine the minimum size wire needed for each connection. When
using heavy stranded wire, you may need to divide the ends into two groups and straddle the screw on the terminal block.
Battery Connection
Distance round trip (meter)
Solar Array Connection
Distance round trip (meter)
Length of Wire
< 0.6m
6m 9m 12m
AWG
6 or 8
10 8 6
4. Wire type: - It is better using stranded wire instead of solid wire. Stranded wire does not fatigue and cause loose
connections over time as easily as solid wire. Use red wire for (+) and black wire for (–). One 6 AWG wire (stranded) or
two 8 AWG wires are suitable. Better connect the wires to the controller with crimped connectors.
5. Connection diagram
BATTERYSOLAR PANEL
ARRAY
+
-+
-
+
-+ -
SOLAR CHARGE
CONTROLLER
CAUTION: Do not attempt to change the battery type selector switch during charging, otherwise will affect LCD meter
reading.
6. OPERATION
When connection was completed, the charge controller will start charging the battery automatically. The solar controller is
based on three stage charging algorithm, i.e. Bulk charge mode, Constant-voltage mode and Float mode. During charging
period, you can change the select switch to read the battery voltage or charging current from LCD meter at any time.
•Battery condition detect by LED bar-graph. The controller can indicate the battery condition with three states: GOOD,
FAIR, LOW.
•PWM constant-voltage regulation to prevent heating and excessive battery gassing. Pulse charging to restore full battery
capacity.
•Float mode: When the battery was fully charged, the battery voltage will reduce to a lower regulated voltage, in which
maintains the battery at full charged state safely.

702-000197 P.3
7. Specifications
T e c h n i c a l S p e c i f i c a t i o n s
PARAMETERS
UNITS
DATA
ELECTRICAL:
Normal input (solar cell array voltage)
Volt
17~22
Max input solar cell array voltage
Volt
25
Max charging current:
Amps
30
Charging start when Battery voltage not less than
Volt
5.0 +/-0.3
Current Consumption when connected 15V Array
(Battery not present)
mA
35 Max.
Current Consumption when connected 12V battery
(Array not present)
mA
25 Max.
PWM Constant-voltage for Gel-cell battery
Volt
14.1 +/-0.4
PWM Constant voltage for Lead-acid battery
Volt
14.5 +/-0.4
Float mode voltage
Volt
13.4 +/-0.4
METER DISPLAY:
LED Bar graph indicated range (Battery Voltage status)
LOW LED
FAIR LED
GOOD LED
Volt
Volt
Volt
<11.5 +/-0.4
11.5 to 12.5 +/-0.4
>12.5 +/-0.4
LCD Meter Accuracy- DC Voltage
Volt
1.25%
LCD Meter Accuracy- DC Current- at 5~30Amp
Amps
3%
PROTECTION:
Over temperature protection starting at (Stop charging)
ºC
>80
Over temperature protection reset at (Restart Charging)
ºC
<65
MECHANICAL
Controller Dimension
mm
180 (L) x 104(W)
Controller overall Height
mm
Approx. 45
Net weight
g
Approx. 350
ENVIROMENTAL CHARACTERISTIC:
Operation temperature
ºC
-5 to 50
Storage temperature
ºC
-10 to70
Operation humidity range
0 to 80% RH
MONITORING
1. LED Indicator
The 6 LEDs indicate charging status and battery conditions. These functions are described below.
Solar Power Indication (POWER LED - red)

702-000197 P.4
ON: Indicates solar panel properly connected and solar power supplied normally.
OFF: No power available or insufficient voltage to active charge controller.
Charging status (“CHARGING” LED - blue; “CHARGE COMPLETE” LED - green)
Normal
Status
Charging LED
Charge Complete LED
Conditions
Bulk Charge
ON
OFF
Indicates the battery is charging, virtually all the power
from the solar array pass through to the battery.
Solar power
Weak
Flash
OFF
Indicates the solar panel voltage is too low when it is in
Bulk charge mode. (insufficient daylight)
Float /
Maintenance
Charge
OFF
ON
Indicates fully charge reached, a small “Float” charge
continues to optimize battery when you need
Battery conditions
GOOD LED: ON indicates the battery voltage is over 12.5V, usually indicates when the unit is charging.
FAIR LED: ON indicates the battery voltage is between 11.5 to 12.5V and needs charging.
LOW LED: ON indicates the battery voltage is under 11.5V and needs charging.
The LOW LED will be blinking if battery is disconnected from the unit.
If the Solar Panel Power is weak, the charger will turn OFF the charging LED, that indicate the charging status has
been turned off, in order to prevent the current back float to the solar panel. (Back float of current will serious
damage the solar panel.)
2. Digital LCD meter
A digital LCD meter is available on this controller; it will continuously display battery voltage or charging current. You can
select the Current-Volt slide switch at any time on front panel. If the slide switch places at the middle position, the LCD
meter will be OFF.
MAINTENANCE
1. Ensure all wire connections are sound and free from corrosion. Tighten terminal block screws, the array connections and
battery terminals.
2. Visual Check of Solar array and battery output cabling for signs of overheating, damage and cracking.
If you find any wires damage, please replace the new one.
3. Verify each LED status whether it meets the specifications or not.
4. Recommended the above maintenance is carried out at least every 3 months
TROUBLE SHOOTING
1. The system of solar Panels-Controller-batteries is sized incorrectly-The batteries will be under-charged if the solar
array is too small, or if the battery bank is too small, or if the usage is too high.
2. Solar panel’s problem - Solar panel can be seriously affected by the angle of the panel (as in winter months), minor
shading, high level haze (barely visible) and dust on the panel.
3. Battery’s problem - If the battery is going bad, a little charging or discharging will cause a large change in the battery
voltage. A battery short somewhere can also reduce the battery voltage.
4. Controller incorrect connection - Include reversing the polarity from the panels or batteries, or switching the array and
battery connections.