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  • stanly
    Member
    • Apr 2011
    • 48

    #1

    Can a charge controller function without battery?

    I know Solar panel + Charge Controller + Battery are one set.

    But is is possible it still function if without the battery?

    Solar Panel -> Charge controller -> 12V light bulb.
  • Mike90250
    Moderator
    • May 2009
    • 16020

    #2
    Nope. Just connect to the light bulb. The charge controller works by measuring the battery voltage, then allowing some solar power to recharge. No battery, the charge controller won't work.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment

    • stanly
      Member
      • Apr 2011
      • 48

      #3
      Oh i see,

      so what will happen when the battery is FULL?
      Those energy from solar panel will still go to Battery and let the battery supply the power to my bulb?

      Comment

      • Mike90250
        Moderator
        • May 2009
        • 16020

        #4
        Whe the battery is full, the charge controller stops sending the PV power to it, preventing over charge. When it gets low, it begins charge again
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment

        • Sunking
          Solar Fanatic
          • Feb 2010
          • 23301

          #5
          Originally posted by stanly
          so what will happen when the battery is FULL?
          Same thing when you turn off the light switch in your home, open ciruit and current stops flowing.

          This is the downfall of battery systems, you cannot utilize all the power and most of it is wasted as either heat in the conversion process, or dumped. Think of it like a bucket in the middle of a dessert with a trickle of water filling the bucket, once it is full it over flowas and all that water pours out on the sand.
          MSEE, PE

          Comment

          • stanly
            Member
            • Apr 2011
            • 48

            #6
            Yes, I should think of that. thk

            Comment

            • Bluetick
              Junior Member
              • Apr 2016
              • 2

              #7
              Originally posted by stanly
              I know Solar panel + Charge Controller + Battery are one set.

              But is is possible it still function if without the battery?

              Solar Panel -> Charge controller -> 12V light bulb.
              Yes, it will work. Your controller should have two sides, one is for a load and one is a charger. If you hook a 12v light to either side it will light up but is designed to hook to the load side. You don't need a battery for this as long as the panel is supplying power.

              Comment

              • Mike90250
                Moderator
                • May 2009
                • 16020

                #8
                Originally posted by stanly
                ...But is is possible it still function if without the battery?......
                Generally not, even many of the simple PWM controllers require the battery voltage be applied first to boot the controller, then you can hook the PV panel up.

                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment

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