Solar Converters Inc. Power Tracker™
PT 12-3 for Li Ion Batteries
3 Amp, 7.2 Volt MPPT Charge Controller

Model: PT 12-3 Similar to Picture

Application

This charge controller is used to charge a battery from a PV power source. This charge controller can be ordered with a special float voltage to charge small batteries used for Video or digital cameras or small security camera systems. The exceptional small size of this unit makes it extremely portable and able to fit almost anywhere in the user equipment.

All the listed Power Tracker™ charge controllers with MPPT can charge control a battery of lower voltage. Many of these models can also accept battery or multiple input sources. Special models are available to operate from non-typical PV nominal voltages and charge batteries of different nominal voltages. For example, 72 V nominal panels charging a 36 V battery or any combination of panel and battery so long as the battery voltage is less than the panel voltage. This will be useful where the panels must be a long distance from the battery, allowing wiring with a smaller wire size as the current is reduced. The wire savings alone can easily pay for the controller.

Note: For optimal Maximum Power Point Tracking performance, it is recommended that MPPT charge controllers be used in conjunction with uniform solar arrays consisting of multiple, identical solar panels. MPPT charge controllers will still work with mixed arrays, but at reduced efficiencies, which defeats the whole point of MPPT technology. These devices were designed to calculate the most efficient charging characteristics given the assumption of a uniform array. Mixed arrays, by definition throw this calculation off.

Features

• Single unit 12 V operation
• Special order units can charge lower voltage rechargeable battery
  • For example, a 7.2 V li-ion battery from a 12 V nominal solar panel with complete energy transfer
• Will also charge batteries from rectified AC through an energy limited transformer, great for systems with optional AC charging or UPS systems
• Real world 15 - 30 % more current than conventional technology into discharged batteries
• Overvoltage Protection
  • Regulates output at float level even without batteries connected (or bad batteries)

Special units have a suffix of B XX after the part number. The float value of the charge controller is XX. For example PT 12 - 3 B8.4 will charge a li-ion battery to 8.4 V from a nominal 12 V solar panel. Note that the charge current increase by the ratio of approx. 15/8.4. Thus a 1 amp 12 V nominal solar panel will charge the li-ion battery at approx. 1.78 amps.

Mechanical Specifications

• Weight: approx. 0.3 lbs.
• Size: 3" X 2" X 0.9"
• Connections:
  • Power: Battery and PV #16 AWG flying lead
• Operating Temperature: -40 to 60 deg. C
  • We suggest the unit not be placed in direct sunlight.
• Humidity: 0 - 90 % non-condensing

Note: In the interest of continuous product improvement, specifications subject to change without notice.

Order Model No:

• PT 12-3

Downloadable PDF Manual:

PT 12/24-3

Special Shipping Note:
All Solar Converter Products are behind in production. These items are usually shipped directly from the manufacturer in Canada. They cannot be shipped by any expedited methods such as UPS Blue or Red. They will generally be shipped via Canadian Express Mail which avoids import brokerage fees of $50-$60. Lead time on these products may be up to 4-6 weeks depending on their production. This is true of all Solar Converters products with the exception of the battery desulphator (item code SORBD-2) that we stock in our warehouse. If you want Solar Converters products to be shipped by normal Canadian Post, but would prefer to have the rest of your order to be shipped by a faster method, please write this information in your order's notes during checkout.