Battery backfeeding into charger?

Steve961
Steve961 Solar Expert Posts: 93 ✭✭✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
I just finished connecting most of my electronics today, except for the solar panels, and thought I would test everything out. When I hooked up the battery, I noticed that the light on my Iota IQ4 Smart Controller was blinking. Is power supposed to backfeed into the charger? I'm a bit concerned that even a small power loss occurring 24/7 could impact my total available power - this is for a small off grid cabin.

Do I need to have some sort of inline switch to prevent this? I'm really hoping I don't, as I already installed an inline 40A fuse for it. It would also be a pain to have to manually turn the switch on and off when I use my generator.

Thanks.

Steve
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Comments

  • dagr51
    dagr51 Solar Expert Posts: 72 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Battery backfeeding into charger?

    I have the same thing with a DLS-75 at my cabin (Michigan's U.P.). I haven't measured how much juice it uses, but I haven't noticed a problem. I do have it on a breaker, and I flip the switch when I leave.

    If you find out what the power consumption is, I'd be interested in knowing.
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  • Steve961
    Steve961 Solar Expert Posts: 93 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Battery backfeeding into charger?

    I contacted Iota Engineering today and asked this question of them. They said that the DLS-30 battery charger with the IQ4 Smart Charge Controller would only consume 1-2 milliamps of power. If I unplugged the IQ4 they said it would consume less than 1 milliamp. So, it would seem that this is a non-issue.

    Steve
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Re: Battery backfeeding into charger?

    can you confirm what they say to be true with a current measurement?
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  • Steve961
    Steve961 Solar Expert Posts: 93 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Re: Battery backfeeding into charger?

    Niel:

    Unfortunately I do not have an Ammeter, so I will just have to take them at their word for now.
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