Solar Charge Controller

User's Manual

Ver.3.03E

Table of Contents
1. Safety Instructions .................................................................... 3
1-1 Precautions During Installation .............................................................................. 3

2. Product Overview...................................................................... 42-1 Specification........................................................................................................... 42-2 Appearance ............................................................................................................ 5

3. Connection ................................................................................ 6
4. Operation ................................................................................... 7
4-1 Battery Type Selection ........................................................................................... 74-2 LVD Voltage Compensation ................................................................................... 84-3 Night Detection Setting .......................................................................................... 94-5 Rate Timer Setting ............................................................................................... 114-6 Reset .................................................................................................................... 124-7 Factory default ..................................................................................................... 125. Night Detection Function ....................................................... 135-1 Multi Timer ........................................................................................................... 135-2 Load Test Method ................................................................................................ 145-3 Early Start Lighting Function ............................................................................... 145-4 Rate Timer ........................................................................................................... 156. LED Indicators ......................................................................... 166-1 Normal Status ...................................................................................................... 166-2 Setting Status....................................................................................................... 167. Troubleshooting ...................................................................... 17
7-1 Lighting ERROR LED .......................................................................................... 17
7-2 FAQs .................................................................................................................... 17

Solar Charge Controller SolarAmp mini User’s Manual©2010-2023 DENRYO CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. No parts of this document may
be reproduced in any form without the prior written approval of DENRYO CO., LTD.
2

1. Safety Instructions

This document contains important safety and operating information for SolarAmp mini.
To work SolarAmp mini the best, use controller only as described in safety instructions.
Carefully read through the safety instructions before mounting SolarAmp mini.
This sign indicates the following contents includes important
WARNING information. The wrong order of handling may lead to the riskof death or seriously injured.
This sign indicates the following contents includes important

CAUTION information. The wrong order of handling may cause damage
to the products and the surrounding stuff.

This sign indicates the following contents includes important

MEMO information of manuals about functions which contains safety
instructions or proper operation of SolarAmp mini.

1-1 Precautions During Installation
・Do NOT short circuit

・Protect from direct rain

・Explosion hazard

・Mounting direction

・Negative earth ground・Do NOT reverse polarity
Connection

32. Product Overview
2-1 Specification
Model No.

SA-MN05-8

System Voltage

12Vdc

Max. Input Voltage

25Vdc

Max. Input Current

8.5A

Max. Load Current

8.5A

Min. input battery Voltage

6Vdc

Self-consumption Current

1mACharging Algorithm
Charging/ float
Voltage

3-stage (Bulk, Absorption, Float)

Sealed Battery

14.1Vdc/13.7Vdc

Flooded Battery

14.4Vdc/13.7Vdc

AGM Battery

14.3Vdc/13.3Vdc

Gel Battery

14.0Vdc/13.7Vdc

Over Discharge Load Disconnect Voltage
Protection
Load Reconnect Voltage
Reverse Polarity Protected

11.5Vdc (±0.2Vdc)
12.5Vdc (±0.2Vdc)
Fuse (10A)

Battery Type

Sealed, Flooded, AGM, Gel

Wire Size

16AWG (1.3mm2) to 22AWG (0.33mm2)

Grounding

Negative ground

Temperature Coefficient-30mV/°C

Operation Temperature-20°C to +60°C

Storage Temperature-30°C to +70°C

Humidity

5~95% RH (non-condensing)

Dimensions (W×H×D)

50×120×20mm

Weight105g

4

2-2 Appearance

Unit: mm53. Connection

1. Connect wires to SolarAmp mini
Recommended wire size is 16 to 22AWG(1.3-0.33mm2). Screw tightly so as not tocome loose easily.

2. Connect to load
It is recommended to install an externalfuse (less than 10A) between controller
and load.

3. Connect to PV
For safety, cover the PV with cloth whenwiring. Make PV not to generate power
during installation.

4. Connect to battery
It is recommended to install an externalfuse (less than 10A) between controller
and battery. And connect battery to earth
ground if necessary. (Negative ground)

CAUTION Do Not connect reverse polarity.
CAUTION Do Not short circuit.
CAUTION Do Not connect DC-AC inverter to the load terminal.
64. Operation
4-1 Battery Type Selection
Follow the white arrow when push the MODE SW (White Button).

MEMO Follow the black arrow when push the SELECT SW (Red Button).

1. Push the MODE SW during normal operation, and MODE LED will blink.
2. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of MODE LED blinks will change.
3. Check the MODE LED 1 blink (Battery Type Selection), then push the MODE SW.
4. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of STATUS LED blinks will change. TheSTATUS LED blinks indicate the battery type as below. Push the SELECT SW todesired battery type.
 STATUS LED 1 blink: Sealed
 STATUS LED 2 blinks: Flooded
 STATUS LED 3 blinks: AGM
 STATUS LED 4 blinks: Gel
5. Check the number of STATUS LED blinks, then push the MODE SW to finish thesetting. All of the LEDs blink twice, and return to normal operation.
*1 Timer Detail Settings cannot be selected at this stage. To access, please see 4-3 Night Detection
Setting before.

74-2 LVD Voltage Compensation
Follow the white arrow when push the MODE SW (White Button).

MEMO Follow the black arrow when push the SELECT SW (Red Button).

1. Push the MODE SW during normal operation, and MODE LED will blink.
2. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of MODE LED blinks will change.
3. Check the MODE LED 2 blinks (LVD Voltage Compensation), then push the MODE
SW.
4. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of STATUS LED blinks will change. TheSTATUS LED blinks indicate the compensating voltage as below. Push the SELECT
SW to desired voltage.
 STATUS LED 1 blink: 0V (No Compensation)
 STATUS LED 2 blinks: -0.1V
 STATUS LED 3 blinks: -0.2V
 STATUS LED 4 blinks: +0.1V
 STATUS LED 5 blinks: +0.2V
5. Check the number of STATUS LED blinks, then push the MODE SW to finish thesetting. All of the LEDs blink twice, and return to normal operation.
*1 Timer Detail Settings cannot be selected at this stage. To access, please see 4-3 Night Detection
Setting before.

84-3 Night Detection Setting
Follow the white arrow when push the MODE SW (White Button).

MEMO Follow the black arrow when push the SELECT SW (Red Button).

1. Push the MODE SW during normal operation, and MODE LED will blink.
2. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of MODE LED blinks will change.
3. Check the MODE LED 3 blinks (Night Detection Setting), then push the MODE SW.
4. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of STATUS LED blinks will change. TheSTATUS LED blinks indicate the modes of Night Detection Setting as below. Pushthe SELECT SW to desired mode.
 STATUS LED 1 blink: Night Detection OFF (Load is always ON)
 STATUS LED 2 blinks: Night Detection ON (Dusk-to-Dawn)
 STATUS LED 3 blinks: Night Detection ON with Normal Timer
 STATUS LED 4 blinks: Night Detection ON with Rate Timer
5. Check the number of STATUS LED blinks, then push the MODE SW to finish thesetting. All of the LEDs blink twice, and return to normal operation.
*1 Timer Detail Setting can be accessed after normal timer or rate timer be selected.
*2 To set up normal timer detail, please refer to 4-4 Normal Timer Setting.
*3 To set up rate timer detail, please refer to 4-5 Rate Timer Setting.

94-4 Normal Timer Setting
Refer to 4-3 Night Detection Setting and select the Normal Timer

MEMO before setting the timer detail.

Follow the white arrow when push the MODE SW (White Button).

MEMO Follow the black arrow when push the SELECT SW (Red Button).

1. Push the MODE SW during normal operation, and MODE LED will blink.
2. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of MODE LED blinks will change.
3. Check the MODE LED 4 blinks (Timer Detail Setting), then push the MODE SW.
4. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of STATUS LED blinks will change. TheSTATUS LED blinks detail as below. Push the SELECT SW to select timer hours.
 STATUS LED 1 blink: 6 hours ON
 STATUS LED 2 blinks: 8 hours ON
 STATUS LED 3 blinks: 10 hours ON
 STATUS LED 4 blinks: 12 hours ON
 STATUS LED 5 blinks: 14 hours ON
5. Check the number of STATUS LED blinks, then push the MODE SW to finish thesetting. All of the LEDs blink twice, and return to normal operation.

10

4-5 Rate Timer Setting
Refer to 4-3 Night Detection Setting and select the Rate Timer

MEMO before setting the timer detail.

Follow the white arrow when push the MODE SW (White Button).

MEMO Follow the black arrow when push the SELECT SW (Red Button).

1. Push the MODE SW during normal operation, and MODE LED will blink.
2. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of MODE LED blinks will change.
3. Check the MODE LED 4 blinks (Timer Detail Setting), then push the MODE SW.
4. Push the SELECT SW, and the number of STATUS LED blinks will change. The
STATUS LED blinks detail as below. Push the SELECT SW to select rate timerpercentage.
 STATUS LED 1 blink: 40% of night length ON
 STATUS LED 2 blinks: 50% of night length ON
 STATUS LED 3 blinks: 60% of night length ON
 STATUS LED 4 blinks: 70% of night length ON
 STATUS LED 5 blinks: 80% of night length ON
5. Check the number of STATUS LED blinks, then push the MODE SW to finish thesetting. All of the LEDs blink twice, and return to normal operation.

114-6 Reset

1. Push MODE SW and SELECT SW
simultaneously.

2. Release both of the SWs then LEDblink twice. SolarAmp mini is reset tolast setting.

4-7 Factory default

1. Push MODE SW and SELECT SW
simultaneously.

2. Keep pushing MODE SW and release
the SELECT SW only.

3. Hold on the MODE SW five seconds
and the MODE LED keeps to lightduring the MODE SW is pushed.

4. Release the MODE SW after MODE
LED turned off. SolarAmp mini is resetto the factory default.

125. Night Detection Function
5-1 Multi Timer
DayNightDay

Night Detection OFF (Load is always ON)
Night Detection ON (Dusk-to-Dawn)
Normal Timer 6h
Normal Timer 8h
Normal Timer 10h
Normal Timer 12h
Normal Timer 14h
Rate Timer 40%
Rate Timer 50%
Rate Timer 60%
Rate Timer 70%
Rate Timer 80%

Four Operation Modes
Mode
Load Description
Night Detection OFF Load is always ON.
Night Detection ON
Load is ON all night.
(Dusk-to-Dawn)
Night Detection ON
Load is turned ON from dusk and be(Normal Timer)
turned OFF after the selected hours.
Night Detection ON
Load is turned ON from dusk and be(Rate Timer)
turned OFF after the selected
percentages of night length.

13Timer Detail--From dusk to dawn
6, 8, 10, 12, 14hours
40, 50, 60, 70, 80%

5-2 Load Test Method

When the Night Detection is ON, push the SELECT SW more than two seconds, theload will be turned on. Release the SW, the load will be turned off. This method iseffective only before the load turn on in the day time.

5-3 Early Start Lighting Function
DayDusk
Output earlier

Night
Other controllers’ turn on the load

SolarAmp mini turn on the load earlier.

SolarAmp mini has the Early Start Lighting Function. The load will be turned on fromdusk. This will function in next 1 or 2 days after system installed.
Immediately after installation or during sudden bad weather, load will be turned on
depending on the conditions of the input voltage from the solar modules. Theconditions are as follows.
1. Solar voltage drops under 10V more than 3 minutes.
2. After 3 minutes, solar voltage drops under 8V.
Therefore, it is necessary to wait at least 3 minutes from the charging state to the load
be turned on.

When Night Detection is on, if the solar modules generate power

MEMO and SolarAmp mini starts charging the battery, the load will beturned off even during timer working.

14

5-4 Rate TimerNightDayDayRate Timer 80%
Rate Timer 70%
WinterRate Timer 60%
Rate Timer 50%
Rate Timer 40%

Rate Timer 40%
Rate Timer 50%
SummerRate Timer 60%
Rate Timer 70%
Rate Timer 80%

SolarAmp mini rate timer is different from a traditional night-light timer. The load turnon time set by a rate (%) of night length. Even if the night length is changed
seasonally, the load turn-off time will be approximate at the same time. There is noneed to reset the timer setting as seasons change.

15

6. LED Indicators
6-1 Normal Status
Blink-time
12
3

STATUS LED
DescriptionBattery Level Low
Battery Level Middle
Battery Level Full

6-2 Setting Status
MODE LED

Blinktime

Description

1

Battery Type Selection

2

LVD Voltage
Compensation

3Night Detection Setting

4Timer Detail Setting*Factory Default Setting

Blink-time
1234

ERROR LED
Description
LVD (Load OFF)
Battery Error
PV Error
LVD & PV Error

STATUS LED
Description
Blinktime
TypeCharging Volt
Float Volt
1*Sealed
14.1Vdc
13.7Vdc2
Flooded
14.4Vdc
13.7Vdc
3
AGM
14.3Vdc
13.3Vdc
4Gel
14.0Vdc
13.7Vdc
1*0V (No Compensation)
2-0.1V
3-0.2V
4+0.1V5+0.2V
1*Night Detection OFF (Load is always ON)
2Night Detection ON (Dusk-to-Dawn)
3Night Detection ON with Normal Timer
4Night Detection ON with Rate Timer
Normal Timer
Rate Timer
1*6 hours
40%
28 hours
50%
3
10 hours
60%
4
12 hours
70%
514 hours
80%

16

7. Troubleshooting
7-1 Lighting ERROR LED
ERROR LED
LVD

Possible Cause

Battery voltage is low.

Solution
Charge the battery. The load
recovers when battery voltage
more than 12.5V.

Battery is not connected.
Battery voltage is too low or too high. Check the wire connection andBattery Error
Short circuit.
battery voltage.
Battery is deeply discharged.
This error is on in the night andPV voltage is lower than battery voltage.
PV Error
automatically recovers when PV
In the night.
generating power. *1LVD&PV
Both LVD and PV error occurred.
See the solutions above.
*1 The PV Error will remain for about one minute after PV began generating power.

7-2 FAQs

ProblemBattery is not
charging

Possible Cause
Solution
PV voltage is lower than Check the PV and battery voltage. If thebattery voltage.
voltage is normal, it may take about 3Battery is fully charged minutes to start charging.
(more than 13V).
Load is not
LVD
Even If the battery voltage is over 11.5V,
operatingonce the controller become LVD, the load
properly
will NOT recover unless the battery voltage
be over 12.5V.
LED does not
Normal
To save the power, the LED is off in usual.
lightPush the SELECT SW, the LED lights forone minute.
Early Start
First day of installation. The function works in next 1 or 2 days afterLighting Function Setting was changed.
system installed or setting changed.
is not operating.
If the surroundings suddenly become dark
due to the bad weather or shadow, etc.,
SolarAmp mini will detect the voltage fromthe PV and turn on the load as a normalcontroller.

17

DENRYO CO., LTD.
28-5, Nishinippori 2 Chome,
Arakawa-ku,Tokyo, 116-0013 Japan
TEL : +81-3-3802-3671
FAX : +81-3-3802-2974
Email : info-en@denryo.com
Website: www.denryo.com
DM-5507