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This item has been discontinued. For a list of available controllers, please click here.
 BP Charge Controller
Solarstate SRX 6
(Formerly Solarex)
Solarstate SRX-6 Regulator
The Solarstate™ SRX-6 voltage regulator is an industrial quality shunt regulator which controls battery charging in small and midsize photovoltaic power systems.
It is extremely efficient, compact, reliable, economical,weatherproof,
and meets nationally recognized safety standards. Its solid-state circuitry uses a low-frequency switching shunt technique to control battery voltage.
The SRX-6 can be installed in the junction box of most Solarex modules. It is capable of controlling Solarex modules with current output up to 5.5 amperes, and is available for 12V and 24V systems. As many as six SRX-6s may be operated in parallel, enabling control of arrays with up to 33 amperes of current.This is a very cost effective means of regulating midsize arrays efficiently, and enables incremental expansion of small arrays.
Economical
The Solarstate SRX-6 is economical and easily installed. A single SRX-6 can regulate the output of multiple modules, up to its maximum power rating. Most Solarex modules may be ordered with the SRX-6 factory installed in the module junction box.
Reliable
The SRX-6 is extremely reliable, a characteristic which is intrinsic in its design and proven in use.The shunt regulation technique is inherently reliable since there are no active components (and
therefore little probability of failure) in the circuit between the array
and the battery.
Solarstate circuitry has proven its reliability in more than a decade of demanding service in thousands of field installations.
Status Monitoring
The SRX-6 LEDs—one charge indicator and one shunt indicator —make it easy to monitor system status.The charge indicator lights when the PV array charges the battery.When the current from the PV array is directed away from the battery, the shunt indicator lights, signaling a full state-of charge.
Efficient
The SRX-6’s shunt design, with no regulating element in the power path, is inherently efficient.The only element in series with the array is the Schottky blocking diode, which prevents the battery from discharging through the array during darkness.
No RF Interference
Many small-system regulators use switching frequencies which, either directly or through harmonics, cause RF interference.The SRX-6 uses a unique low frequency switching technique (2 to 100 Hz, depending on battery condition) which does not generate RFI, making it fully compatible with communications systems.
Safety Approved
The Solarstate SRX-6 is approved by Factory Mutual Research for application in NEC Class 1, Division 2, Groups C & D hazardous locations and is listed by Underwriters Laboratories when installed in a Solarex junction box.
Compact and Weatherproof
The SRX-6’s compact size and tough epoxy encapsulation provide tremendous flexibility in placement. Small enough to mount inside the Solarex module junction box, the SRX-6 may be ordered factory installed in most Solarex modules. However, its weatherproof design means it may also be mounted without protection from the elements.
Product Warranty
Solarstate regulators are covered by a limited one-year warranty
Principles of Operation
The Solarstate SRX-6 controls current to the battery by switching a Shunt Control Element (SCE) on and off. The SCE controls current flow through a shunt path. Switching the SCE on allows current to flow through the shunt path, placing the array in a loop that directs current back to the array instead of the battery.The SCE is on whenever the battery is fully charged.As the battery is depleted, voltage drops.
When voltage reaches the SRX-6’s low setpoint — indicating
that the battery needs charging — the SCE is switched off, blocking the shunt path. Current then flows to the battery, charging it.As the battery charges, voltage increases.When voltage reaches the high setpoint (14.6V), the SRX-6 switches the SCE on, allowing current to flow back into the shunt path, and battery charging stops.
Temperature Compensated
The SRX-6’s output voltage is temperature-compensated
to match the temperature-dependent charging characteristics
of lead-acid batteries.As ambient temperature increases, an internal temperature compensation circuit lowers the shunting voltage; as ambient temperature decreases, shunting voltage is raised.
Electrical Specifications
| |
SRX-6/12 |
SRX-6/24 |
| Nominal system V |
12V |
24V |
| Maximum input current |
5.5A |
5.5A |
| Input V range |
15V-25V |
30V-50V |
| Shunting V @ 25°C |
14.6 ± 0.2V |
29.2 ± 0.5V |
Voltage/temperature
compensation coefficient |
–12.5 mV/°C |
–25 mV/°C |
Quiescent current @ nominal
system V (not shunting) |
² 2 mA |
² 3mA |
Notes:
(1) Solarstate controls are optimized for use with Solarex modules. Because module characteristics vary greatly, power ratings may not be valid when used with modules other than Solarex.
(2) Requires input voltage within range shown.With lower input voltage,
regulator will operate, but will not maintain specified output voltage.
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