OWNER’S MANUAL GPR-25 Regulator © June 21, 2007, Carmanah Technologies Corp. www.carmanah.com Technical Support: info@gpelectric.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Table of Contents 1.0 Installation Overview..............................................................................................4 1.1 Introduction .....................................................................................................4 1.2 Specifications..................................................................................................4 2. Warnings.........................................................................................
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 1.0 Installation Overview 1.1 Introduction A Charge Regulator is an essential component of your photovoltaic system. The Regulator maintains the life of the battery by protecting it from overcharging. When your battery has reached a 100% state of charge, the Regulator prevents overcharging by limiting the current flowing into the batteries. The GPR-25 is a 12 volt flush mounted photovoltaic charge regulator rated for a maximum current of 25 amps.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 2. Warnings Disconnect all power sources before attempting installation. Electricity can be very dangerous. Installation should be performed only by a licensed electrician or qualified personnel. Battery and wiring safety. Observe all safety precautions of the battery manufacturer when handling or working around batteries. When charging, batteries may produce hydrogen gas, which is highly explosive.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 5. Installation Instructions 1. Prepare for mounting. Use the template provided at the end of the manual to mark the four mounting holes and the “cutting line for flush mounting”. 2. Complete the installation of the solar modules. If this GPR-25 was purchased as part of a Go Power! Electric Solar Kit, follow the RV Installation Guide provided. Otherwise follow manufacturer’s instructions for module mounting and wiring. 3. Select wire type and gauge.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 7. Monitoring Charging LED (red): When the battery is charging, the charging light will be lit. When the state of charge for the battery is close to full, the light will be off for short periods of time and on for short periods of time - the pulse-charging feature of the GPR-25. In situations where outside ambient light is shining on the solar module, it may be possible for the charging light to be on after the sun has set.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 9. Before You Read Troubleshooting Before a problem is suspected with the system, read this section. There are numerous events that may appear as problems but are in fact perfectly normal. My regulator has been charging/not charging for quite a while now. The regulator is designed to keep the batteries state of charge at full while protecting them from overcharging. This means that when the voltage of the battery falls under approximately 13.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Remedy: (1) & (2) Check the fuse. Check all connections from the regulator to the battery including checking for correct wire polarity. Check that all connections are clean, tight, and secure. Voltage Reading: 9 V – 12 V Current Reading: 0 A Charge Light: Off Time of Day: Daytime Possible Cause: (1) Battery or fuse connection (2) Defective GPR-25.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 10.3 Problems with Current Voltage Reading: N/A Current Reading: Less than expected Charge Light: N/A Time of Day: Daytime Possible Cause: (1) Wrong series/parallel configuration and/or wiring connections and/or wire gauge. (2) Dirty or shaded module or lack of sun. (3) Blown diode in solar module when two or more modules are connected in parallel. How to tell: (1) Check that the modules and batteries are configured correctly. Check all wiring connections.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Remedy: (1) Check fuse. Check all connections from the regulator to the battery. (2) Electric noise from other electronics such as inverters or florescent lights may affect the current reading. Attempt to trace the problematic appliance and fix the problem by relocation. Voltage Reading: N/A Current Reading: Rapidly changing Possible Cause: (1) Battery is full, array is producing full current, and there are functioning loads connected. normal.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 11. Wiring Diagram 12 Carmanah Technologies Corp. Copyright © 2007 Document number: GPR-25_Manual_v4.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator 12. Limited Warranty 1. Carmanah warrants the GPR-25 for a period of five (5) years from the date of shipment from its factory. This warranty is valid against defects in materials and workmanship for the five (5) year warranty period. It is not valid against defects resulting from, but not limited to: • Misuse and/or abuse, neglect or accident.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Building 4, 203 Harbour Road Victoria, British Columbia Canada V9A 3S2 5. Ensure the product is not shipped collect, unless approved by management prior to Carmanah receiving said product, or THE PACKAGE WILL BE REFUSED. 6. Test items or items that are not under warranty, or units that are not defective, will be charged a minimum bench charge of ($50.00 US) plus taxes and shipping. 7. A 15% restocking charge will be applied on goods returned and accepted as “new” stock.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Hydrometer: A device used to measure the specific gravity (SG) of the electrolyte in a wet acid battery. A hydrometer provides a very accurate way to see the true charge of a battery. Insolation: The solar energy received at a place over a given period. May be expressed as sunhours per day, watts per square meter per hour, or any number of other units. Inverter: A device that converts DC electricity to AC.
Owner’s Manual | GPR-25 Regulator Sulfation: The formation of lead sulfate crystals on the plates of a lead-acid battery. Normally used to refer to large sulfate crystals, rather than small crystals formed in normal battery operation. The plates of a battery will sulfate if left in a partially charged state, causing reduced battery capacity and shortening the life of the battery. If caught in time, equalization will remove the buildup of sulfation. Voltage: The electrical potential between two points.
Faceplate Mounting Template Four (4) Mounting Holes - Use #8/32 Self-Tapping Screws (Step #1, 7) Cutting Line for Flush Mounting - Use Jigsaw (Step #1) Outside Faceplate Edge IMPORTANT: Use this template insert to mount your faceplate.
