charge controller

[theresa p]

Good Day

Was curious to know if the charge controller you use to protect a solar panel from over charging a battery can be used in the same way with say a gen set putting out 10 amps. If the controller would be able to handle the 10 amps would it shut down t$he gen set to protect the battery.
4
Looking at solar and gen sets for out lot currently no power and they want $4000 to put it in so we are going without. Plus we want to let it like the outdoors.

Thanks ahead

Dennis

[Gina D.]

NO!

You can't mix input sources on a controller..

someone else here tried to do this, fortunately, no other voltage was applied before he used it.

From my ASC contoller manual:

OTHER CHARGING SOURCES: Do not use the ASC to regulate a power source other
than a photovoltaic panel, such as a hydro or wind generator/alternator or an AC battery
charger. To do so could result in damage to the ASC and/or the generating equipment
because the ASC regulates charging by short circuiting the input. Connect other
charging sources directly to the battery.
The ASC and array can remain connected to a battery that is being charged by an
additional source, (alternator, battery charger, etc.) without damage to the controller or
solar panels.

Big boom could happen at your genny and damage the controller will result.

[Ed Harris]

Good Day

Was curious to know if the charge controller you use to protect a solar panel from over charging a battery can be used in the same way with say a gen set putting out 10 amps. If the controller would be able to handle the 10 amps would it shut down t$he gen set to protect the battery.
4
Looking at solar and gen sets for out lot currently no power and they want $4000 to put it in so we are going without. Plus we want to let it like the outdoors.

Thanks ahead

Dennis

Dennis
Like Gina said.....No.

This is why most will suggest using a good quality battery charger with a Genset to charge the battery.
The output of the Gen is usually unregulated D.C. and will bulk charge without conditioning the battery and then will just overcharge.

Solar panels output around 18 V.D.C. and the charge controller makes sure the battery see around 13.8 V.D.C. regulated and metered to charge like any other quality charger.
The Solar control would not like the undervoltage input from the Genset.

Battery chargers running from the Generator output A.C. are the answer.

[theresa p]

Great thanks for the information.

That is why it was asked as to not cause damage.

Thanks again

Dennis