User guide

ManualsBrandsSpecialty Concepts ManualsPower suppliersMARK/22

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT TECHNICAL SUPPORT

THIS MANUAL PRESENTS ANSWERS TO 99% OF ALL OF THE TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT WE RECEIVE. PLEASE READ IT THROUGHLY TO

ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT OR ABOUT SOLAR SYSTEMS IN GENERAL. IF YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT

YOUR PROFESSIONAL SOLAR DEALER OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE THAT

SPECIALTY CONCEPTS, INC. IS ABLE TO PROVIDE OVER THE PHONE DIRECTLY TO END-USERS IS LIMITED.

OUR WEBSITE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS AND PV SOLAR SYSTEMS

INSTALLATION AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE

MARK/15, MARK/20, MARK/22

SPECIALTY CONCEPTS, INC.

8954 Mason Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311 USA

Web-site: www.specialtyconcepts.com

The Ideal Charge Controller for Home, RV, Marine, and other Solar Systems.

FEATURES

IDEAL SOLAR CHARGING

• Compatible – Works with almost all types of batteries and solar

panels

• Efficient – Over 99% efficiency when charging

• Full Charging – Ensures that the batteries are always topped off

• Battery Safe – Charging method maximizes battery life

• Reduced Maintenance – from healthy charging and reliable operation

OVER-CHARGE PROTECTION

• High Voltage “Shut-off” - shuts off only when battery is full

• Robust Circuitry – Control function 100% solid state.

HIGH RELIABILITY

• Simple, rugged electronics – low component count and streamlined

design ensure long term reliability

• No Minimum Voltage Required – Can charge a dead battery

FEATURES

• Digital Voltage and Current – Accurate readout for battery and solar panels

• Status Lights – Colored Battery condition bar-graph with “CHARGING” and

“CHARGED” lights

• Adjustable Set-point – Easily adjusts to higher or lower voltages

• Reverse leakage protection – Prevents power loss at night.

• Over-current & Incorrect Wiring Protection – Array and Battery fuse

• Terminal Block – for sound and easy wire connections.

• Mounting Options – Can mount flush or onto a wall (with accessory box)

• Environmental Protection – Circuit board is conformal coated to protect

against condensation.

SYSTEM COMPATIBILITY

• Minimum RF Noise – Low switching frequency minimizes electronic noise

• Protection from External RF Noise – Can operate with noisy inverters

Specifications

PARAMETERS UNITS MARK/15-12

MARK/20-12

MARK/22-12

Nominal Voltage Volts 12

Array Voltage, Max (Voc) Volts 26

Charging Current, Continuous (Isc) (MARK/15,20,22) Amps 15, 20, 22

Charging Current, Max (60 seconds) (MARK/15,20.22) Amps 20, 25, 27

Operating Voltage at Battery, Min

Charge Control Volts 0

LCD Metering Volts 7.8

LED Bar-graph Volts 10.5

Current Consumption

Quiescent (Tare) Milliamps 8.8

Charging (with LED Bar-graph off) Milliamps 12.8

LED Bar-graph Milliamps per LED 5

Charge Termination, Factory Set (1) Volts 14.4 +

Charge Termination, Adjustable Range (2) Volts 13.6 – 15.3

Charge Resumption, Factory Set (2) Volts 13.0 +

Voltage Drop, Array to Battery

Controller Volts per Amp 0.05

Controller and 2 fuses Volts per Amp 0.08

LCD Meter Accuracy

DC Voltage /DC Current 0.5 %/1%

Operating Temperature Range °C (°F) -30 to 50 (-22 to 122)

Storage Temperature Range °C (°F) -40 to 70 (-40 to 158)

Notes:

(1) This is not a constant voltage controller.The batteries will drop below this voltage when completely charged.

(2) The Charge Termination / Resumption span is fixed. The Resumption set-point changes as the Termination set-point is

adjusted.

Recognized by Underwriters Laboratories (UL)

Meets all requirements for UL 1741 (MARK/15 ONLY).

NOTE: NOT ALL MODELS ARE CERTIFIED. REFER TO LOGOS ON PRODUCT (BACK) AND BOX LABLE FOR CERTIFICATIONS.

Summary of content (10 pages)

PAGE 1
INSTALLATION AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR THE 1 MARK/15, MARK/20, MARK/22 SPECIALTY CONCEPTS, INC. 8954 Mason Ave. Chatsworth, CA 91311 USA Web-site: www.specialtyconcepts.com The Ideal Charge Controller for Home, RV, Marine, and other Solar Systems.
PAGE 2
RELATED 2 SYSTEM EQUIPMENT The MARK/(15,20,22) is an integral part of a solar electric power system that includes a solar panel, a battery and a load. SOLAR PANELS - (“photovoltaic (PV) array”, “solar modules”): The MARK/(15,20,22) is compatible with all makes and models of photovoltaic solar panels. The entire solar array’s open circuit voltage (Voc) cannot exceed 26 volts (the sum of the Voc of all solar panels in series).
PAGE 3
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS: continued 3 6. SELECT WIRE: WIRE TYPE: - When possible, use stranded wire instead of solid wire. Stranded wire does not fatigue and cause loose connections over time as easily as solid wire. If possible, use red wire for BATTERY+, black for BATTERY– and SOLAR PANEL-, and yellow for SOLAR PANEL+ to prevent wiring errors. Other colors are perfectly acceptable if you do not have these.
PAGE 4
Fuses : MARK/15: Access from front MARK/20, 22: Access from rear SOLAR PANEL ARRAY Bar-graph selector : For “Bar” readings, place jumper across both pins. For “Dot” readings, place jumper across only one of the pins (“storage position”). ← + + Batt (-) Array (-) LOAD Array (+) Batt (+) A TOP FUSE: ARRAY BOTTOM FUSE: BATTERY FUSE RATINGS: A = Fuse / Disconnect switch Mark/15 = 20 amp, Mark/20, 22 = 25 amp Charge Set-Point Adjust. Adjust the trimpot here to modify the charge set-point.
PAGE 5
An adjustment will not increase the output of the panels. An adjustment will not add more power to a battery that is usually undercharged. An adjustment is not recommended to correct for a voltage drop in the battery connection. 5 WHEN ADJUSTMENT IS NEEDED: Adjusting the charge set-points is recommended for certain situations which might otherwise result in under or over-charging the batteries. These recommendations are approximate and can be influenced by specific conditions.
PAGE 6
TROUBLE SHOOTING 6 These sections can assist in the troubleshooting of a solar system. • HELP NOTES: - lists some common problems with a solar system. • MARK/(15,20,22) Problems: - If a problem is suspected based on the observations of the MARK/(15,20,22) controller, find the condition on the MARK/(15,20,22) PROBLEMS chart. It will direct you to a “MARK/(15,20,22) NOTE”. • Fuse Removal Test: - provides a simple test to confirm operation.
PAGE 7
MARK/(15,20,22) PROBLEMS: CASE 1→ 2→ 3→ 4→ 5→ 6→ 7→ 8→ 9→ 10 → 11 → 12 → 13 → 14 → 15 → 16 → BATTERY VOLTAGE READING ARRAY CURRENT READING Display blank Display blank Display blank Display blank Refer to this chart and the MARK/(15,20,22) PROBLEM CASES to help 7 diagnose problems based on the MARK/(15,20,22) readings. MARK/(15,20,22 GREEN YELLOW OTHER CHARGING CHARGED ) NOTE LIGHT LIGHT (Below) Day Night only 10-13 00.0 OFF 12.0-14.7 00.0 ON 13-14.7 00.0 14.7 - 22.
PAGE 8
MARK/(15,20,22) Note 13 - The buzzing sound is caused by the controller rapidly switching on and off and is caused by a bad battery connection or a blown battery fuse. See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #9). MARK/(15,20,22) Note 14 - The MARK/(15,20,22) may get warm during normal operation. When operating near maximum ratings, the front plate gets very warm. If the unit should get too hot to touch, it may be defective. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #13).
PAGE 9
Installation steps: 1. Tape template to surface where the MARK/(15,20,22) is to be installed. 2. Punch “Mounting Holes” and “Cutout Corner Holes” with nail or awl. 3. Remove template. Drill “Cutout Corner Holes” with 3/8” drill. Drill “Mounting Holes” with 3/32” drill. 4. Connect outside edge of “Cutout Corner Holes” with a pencil line. 5. Use suitable saw to cut along pencil line. 6. Make electrical connections. (Refer to instruction manual) 7.
PAGE 10
8954 MASON AVE., CHATSWORTH, CA 91311 USA WWW.SPECIALTYCONCEPTS.COM S PECIALTY C ONCEPTS , I NC. FAX: (818) 998-5253 If the Repair is not covered under warranty, the repair charges will not exceed 30% of the value of a new unit. (shipping and handling not included) Domestic charges are collected via UPS-COD . For non-warranty repairs, repaired portion features an additional one-year warranty. YOU DO NOT NEED AN RMA OR OTHER AUTHORIZATION TO RETURN A UNIT FOR REPAIR. SIMPLY SEND IT TO US POST PAID.