Using a charge controller with a Xantrex Powerpack

Posted by Vince Allen on May 25, 2008, 12:37:39 PM

I successfully hooked up a small 6W panel directly to a Xantrex Powerpack using a coaxial power plug. While in direct sunlight, the system charged the Powerpack just fine. However, I noticed some strange behavior whenever there was shade or the sun was going down. I assumed this was caused by reverse current leakage.

As a remedy I added a Morningstar Sunsaver SS-6A, 12V PWM charge controller in between the panel and the Powerpack. Please look at the photo gallery below to see what I'm talking about.

http://gallery.altenergystore.com/Vince-Allen-gallery/v/6183188630/chargecontroller/

This however does not work. The battery does not charge. Also, using a multimeter I could get an amperage reading at the PV connection on the controller. However, both the battery connections or the load connections gave a zero reading.

What's going on? Why would this system fail with the introduction of a charge controller?

Thanks.

Posted by James Cormican on May 26, 2008, 12:23:24 AM

Re: Using a charge controller with a Xantrex Powerpack (Reply #1)

doesnt the powerpack have a cig lighter dc input/output?
what is the plug slot that you are plugging that cable that you made into? it looks like that is what fits into the ac outlet. if that is the case, that is why it does not work.
if you want to use a module that does not originally come with the cig adapter, then you have to hardwire the output of the charge controller to a cig lighter plug, not a barrel plug that gets plugged into the ac charger port.

i think that is what is going on, and hopefully the dc you fed into that thing did not wreck the ac charger.

james on location in chicago
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Posted by Vince Allen on May 26, 2008, 10:02:22 AM

Re: Using a charge controller with a Xantrex Powerpack (Reply #2)

I see...so the charge controller outputs DC power. I was running a cable with a coax plug into the AC input socket. It appears that this error has not damaged the Powerpack.

So yes, the Powerpack comes with a DC/DC charging cable with cigarette jack connectors on either end. To hardwire the cable to the charge controller, I'm assuming I need to clip off one of the cigarette jack connectors. I'll give it a shot and see happens.

Thanks.

« Last Edit: May 26, 2008, 10:47:04 AM by Vince Allen »

Posted by Vince Allen on May 26, 2008, 11:01:42 AM

Re: Using a charge controller with a Xantrex Powerpack (Reply #3)

I've clipped off one of the cigarette jack connectors, stripped the wire and connected it to the charge controller. From what I can gather from other posts, the wire connected to the center terminal is the positive connection. You can see it all here.

http://gallery.altenergystore.com/Vince-Allen-gallery/v/6183188630/dctodc/

I've hooked up a 6 watt panel and connected the charge controller to the Powerpack via my modified cable. However, the Xantrex manual states that the green charging indicator light does not light when charging via the DC input. So it's very hard to tell if this is working. I'm going to drain the Powerpack a bit and then see if it recharges via this method.

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Using a charge controller with a Xantrex Powerpack

Posted by Vince Allen on May 25, 2008, 12:37:39 PM

Posted by James Cormican on May 26, 2008, 12:23:24 AM

Posted by Vince Allen on May 26, 2008, 10:02:22 AM

Posted by Vince Allen on May 26, 2008, 11:01:42 AM

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