inverter chargers & charge controllers

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Another newb question but I'm trying to put a system together from scratch.

I understand the need for a charge controller but I am perplexed as to the purpose of the charger unit in an inverter charger. Is this redundancy?

Martin
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
    #2
    Re: inverter chargers & charge controllers

    You may end up with multiple charge controllers in a system...

    1. Solar Panel Charge Controller
    2. AC Backup Generator Charge Controller
    3. Wind Turbine Charge Controller
    4. Water Turbine Charge Controller
    5. Utility Mains AC Battery Charger (if Grid Tied).

    So--if your Inverter also has alternate inputs (AC Mains and/or Generator AC Input)--it will recharge your battery bank from those alternative AC Input sources.

    Think of a UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)--The AC Power (when available) charges the battery bank. When AC power fails, then the inverter switches over to DC power and "turns on" to supply off-grid AC power.

    The other power sources (solar, etc.) also need their own charge controllers that, in parallel, will recharge the battery bank.

    You can put charge controllers in parallel--without too many problems... The big issue is if one is programmed for a higher voltage (or running a equalize stage)--it will "take over" the battery load from the other chargers.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #3
    Re: inverter chargers & charge controllers

    Thanks Bill, I hadn't thought of other charging mechanisms.

    Food for thought.
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