Almost every modern device is equipped with a battery from which it works. In order to prevent overloads and minimize the breakdown of household appliances, telephones and more complex technical systems, a battery charge controller is installed in each such device.
What is a battery charge controller and what functions does it perform?
The battery charge controller is a special device that automatically adjusts the level of current and voltage in the device. The battery charge is determined by the voltage difference between the two terminals. Thus, the controller protects the battery from excessive overvoltage and, accordingly, damage.
Logically, however, many fixtures can easily do without a controller. If you connect the device directly to a voltage source while monitoring the amperage and voltage value, damage can be avoided. Although in this case the charge of the device will be lower - 70% of the total capacity of the storage device. Thus, we can conclude that the charge controller allows you to charge the device to 100%.
If we talk about what tasks the controller performs, we can say:
- The battery protection module optimizes the entire power system, which allows the device to conserve its internal resources.
- In addition, the controller avoids overloading the system, which can lead to breakdowns of the main mechanisms.
What is a controller and what kinds of this device are there?
There are no standard controller circuits, but they all have similar features. Typically, most of these include two trimming resistors that control the highs and lows of the voltage. In addition, each controller has a relay coil that controls the range of the limits. Thus, if the battery has a maximum limit of 15 V, the device will not be able to generate energy above this limit.
Depending on the structure, the controllers can be:
- simple controller or universal;
- hybrid controller.
Among the devices that allow you to control these parameters, a distinction is made between:
- ON / OFF controllers;
- Pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, or pulse width modulator;
- Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller or controller that monitors the direction of the sun's rays.
ON / OFF controllers
This module performs the function of disconnecting the batteries from the source at full load. Today, these controllers are rarely used and are considered one of the most primitive. The principle of operation of the controller is based on constant monitoring of certain values of the generator and the arm of the accumulating device. The controller is turned on when the battery voltage is below the nominal value, or is within the voltage parameters. The device turns off if the voltage exceeds the load limit that the controller can withstand. Such controllers are widely used in systems with a predictable load, for example, in emergency lighting and alarm systems (charge-discharge controller hcx-2366).
PWM controller
PWM type control microcircuits are the most modern and multifunctional from a technical point of view. Such devices allow automatic monitoring of voltage and current values. After the maximum possible value is reached, the controller fixes it on the board to stabilize the accumulator. This ensures maximum battery capacity. This type of controller has another name, which is more common - it is PWM controllers. If you decipher the abbreviated abbreviation, you get such a thing as a pulse width modulator. Most often, such devices are found in television and radio engineering. In addition, they can be found in some household appliances and switching power supplies.
The voltage from a standard solar panel passes through two conductors to the stabilizing element. Due to this, the potential equalization of the input voltage occurs. After that, the voltage goes to transistors, which stabilize the incoming voltage and current. The whole system is controlled by the driver. The device diagram includes a temperature sensor and a driver. These devices are controlled by power transistors, the number of which depends on the power of the device. The temperature sensor is responsible for the heating state of the controller elements. Usually it is located on the radiators of power transistors, or inside the case. This does not change its functionality. If the temperature exceeds the preset limits, the device automatically turns off.
Pulse width modulator
The MPPT controller is an electricity control module that is used to generate energy in solar power plants. The microcircuit of the device operates with maximum efficiency values and gives high output rates. The microcircuit, which includes a controller of this type, is quite complex and includes a number of devices that build the necessary control order. This sequence allows voltage and current levels to be monitored continuously while still maximizing the device's output power. The main difference in the configuration of the pulse-width modulator from PWM devices is that they are able to activate their solar module for weather conditions. Thus, the power in any weather will be maximum, regardless of the length of time in the sun.
How to choose the right battery charge controller?
In order to select the desired controller, it is necessary to decide on the function that this device will carry and on the scale of the entire installation. If it is planned to assemble a small solar system that will control household appliances with a power of no more than two kilowatts, then installing a PWM controller is sufficient. If we are talking about a more powerful system that will control the network electricity and work in an autonomous mode, then it is necessary to install an MTTP controller. It all depends on the voltage that goes to the controller of the storage device. PWM controllers are capable of withstanding up to 5 kW, while MTTP modules can withstand up to 50 kW.
How do electronic solar modules work?
Microcontrollers, or electronic modules, which are integral to a solar cell, are designed for a number of functions to conserve energy from the solar panel. The generation of energy by a solar battery is caused by the fall of the sun's rays on its surface. Thanks to photocells, sunlight generates an electric current. The resulting energy is sent to the battery charge controller, which monitors energy consumption. This device regulates and sets the current limit value and passes it into the storage battery. Theoretically, a charge controller could be dispensed with. Thus, all the energy received would go directly to the battery. however, this would run the risk of permanent overloading of the system, which would quickly disable the device. The most striking example of such a device is the lithium-ion battery, which is installed in phones, tablets, laptop chargers and other modern gadgets.
