1. Overview
Thank you for selecting the ViewStar AU series common positive solar charge controller. The VS-AU controller is a PWM charge controller with built-in LCD display that adopts the most advanced digital technique. The multiple load control modes enable it to be widely used in solar home systems, traffic signals, solar street lights, solar garden lamps, etc.
For a comprehensive guide, please refer to the official user manual PDF: EPEVER VS-AU Series User Manual (PDF)
2. Product Features
- Adopt high quality components of ST, IR and Infineon, ensuring product lifespan.
- Terminals have UL and VDE certification, making the product safer and more reliable.
- Controller can work continuously at full load within the environment temperature range from -25°C to 55°C.
- 3-Stage intelligent PWM charging: Bulk, Boost/Equalize, Float.
- Support 3 charging options: Sealed, Gel, and Flooded.
- LCD display design, dynamically displaying device's operating data and working condition.
- Double USB design, providing power supply charge for electronic equipment (5VDC/2.4A total).
- Humanized button settings for comfortable and convenient operation.
- Multiple load control modes.
- Energy statistics function.
- Battery temperature compensation function.
- Extensive Electronic protection.
Image: Detailed features and technical specifications of the VS-AU series solar charge controller.
3. Setup (Wiring)
Connect components to the charge controller in the sequence shown in the diagram below, paying close attention to the "+" and "-" terminals. Do not insert the fuse or turn on the breaker during installation. When disconnecting the system, the order will be reversed.
NOTE: Always connect the battery first to allow the controller to recognize the system voltage. The battery fuse should be installed as close to the battery as possible, with a suggested distance within 150mm.
NOTE: The VS-AU series is a positive ground controller. Any positive connection of solar, load or battery can be earth grounded as required.
NOTE: Please connect the inverter or other load that has a large start current to the battery rather than to the controller, if the inverter or other load is necessary.
Image: Connection Diagram for Solar Charger Controller
Image: Example Installation Setups
4. Operation
Image: Solar Charger Controller with Labeled Components
4.1 Button Function
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| MENU button | Browse interface, Load ON/OFF, Clear error |
| SET button | Setting parameter, Enter into Set Mode, Save data |
4.2 LCD Display
The LCD dynamically displays the device's operating data and working conditions. Below is a description of the icons and their status:
| Item | Icon | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Day | ||
| Night | ||
| PV array | No charging, Charging, PV Voltage, Current, Power | |
| Battery | Battery capacity, In Charging, Battery voltage, current, temperature | |
| BATT. TYPE | Battery type | |
| Load | Load ON, Load OFF, Load Voltage, Current, Load mode |
NOTE: When no operation, the interface will automatically cycle, but the follow two interfaces will not be displayed: Load Type and Battery Type.
NOTE: Accumulative power zero clearing: Under PV power interface, press SET button and hold for 5 seconds until the value blinks, then press SET button again to clear the value.
NOTE: Setting temperature unit: Under battery temperature interface, press SET button and hold for 5 seconds to switch.
4.3 Load Mode Setting
To set the load mode: Under the load mode setting interface, press the SET button and hold for 5 seconds until the number starts flashing. Then press the MENU button to set the parameter, and press the SET button to confirm.
| Timer 1 | Timer 2 | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 2 n | Light ON/OFF |
| 101 | 201 | Load will be on for 1 hour since sunset / before sunrise |
| 102 | 202 | Load will be on for 2 hours since sunset / before sunrise |
| 103-13 | 203-213 | Load will be on for 3~13 hours since sunset / before sunrise |
| 114 | 214 | Load will be on for 14 hours since sunset / before sunrise |
| 115 | 215 | Load will be on for 15 hours since sunset / before sunrise |
| 16 | 2 n | Test mode |
| 17 | 2 n | Manual mode (Default load ON) |
NOTE: Please set Light ON/OFF, Test mode and Manual mode via Timer1. Timer2 will be disabled and display "2 n".
4.4 Battery Type
To set the battery type: Under the Battery Voltage interface, press the SET button and hold for 5 seconds to enter the battery type setting interface. After choosing the battery type by pressing the MENU button, wait for 5 seconds or press the SET button again to modify successfully.
NOTE: Please refer to the battery voltage parameters table in the Technical Specifications section for different battery types.
5. Protections
| Protection | Conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|
| PV Reverse Polarity | When the battery is correctly connected, the PV can be reversed. | The controller is not damaged |
| Battery Reverse Polarity | When the PV is not connected, the battery can be reversed. | |
| Battery Over Voltage | The battery voltage reaches the OVD | Stop charging |
| Battery Over Discharge | The battery voltage reaches the LVD | Stop discharging |
| Battery Overheating | Temperature sensor is higher than 65°C | Output is OFF |
| Temperature sensor is less than 55°C | Output is ON | |
| Controller Overheating | Temperature sensor is higher than 85°C | Output is OFF |
| Temperature sensor is less than 75°C | Output is ON | |
| Load Short Circuit | Load current ≥2.5 times rated current | One short circuit, the output is OFF 5s; Two short circuits, the output is OFF 10s; Three short circuits, the output is OFF 15s; Four short circuits, the output is OFF 20s; Five short circuits, the output is OFF 25s; Six short circuits, the output is OFF |
| Load Overload | Load current reaches 1.02-1.05 times, 1.05-1.25 times, 1.25-1.35 times and 1.35-1.5 times more than nominal value. | Controller will automatically turn off loads in 50s, 30s, 10s and 2s respectively. |
| Damaged RTS | The RTS is short-circuited or damaged. | Charging or discharging at 25°C |
6. Troubleshooting
| Faults | Possible reasons | Troubleshooting |
|---|---|---|
| The LCD is off during daytime when sunshine falls on PV modules properly. | PV array disconnection | Confirm that PV wire connections are correct and tight. |
| Wire connection is correct, LCD not displaying. | 1) Battery voltage is lower than 9V. 2) PV voltage is less than battery voltage. | 1) Please check the voltage of the battery. At least 9V voltage is needed to activate the controller. 2) Check the PV input voltage which should be higher than the battery's. |
| Interface blinking | Battery over voltage | Check if the battery voltage is higher than OVD point (over voltage disconnect voltage), and disconnect the PV. |
| Interface blinking | Battery over discharged | After the battery voltage is restored to or above LVR point (low voltage reconnect voltage), the load will recover. |
| Interface blinking | Battery Overheating | The controller will automatically turn the system off. But when the temperature declines to be below 50°C, the controller will resume. |
| Interface blinking | Overload or Short circuit | Please reduce the number of electric equipment or check carefully load connections. |
7. Technical Specifications
| Item | VS1024AU | VS2024AU | VS3024AU | VS3048AU | VS4524AU | VS4548AU | VS6024AU | VS6048AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal system voltage | 12/24VDC Auto | 12/24/36/48VDC Auto | 12/24VDC Auto | 12/24/36/48VDC Auto | 12/24VDC Auto | 12/24/36/48VDC Auto | ||
| Battery input voltage range | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | 9V~32V | 9V~64V | ||
| Rated charge current | 10A | 20A | 30A | 30A | 45A | 45A | 60A | 60A |
| Rated discharge current | 10A | 20A | 30A | 30A | 45A | 45A | 60A | 60A |
| Max. PV open circuit voltage | 50V | 96V | 50V | 96V | 50V | 96V | ||
| Battery type | Sealed (Default) / Gel / Flooded | |||||||
| Equalization voltage | Sealed: 14.6V / Flooded: 14.8V | |||||||
| Boost voltage | Gel: 14.2V / Sealed: 14.4V / Flooded: 14.6V | |||||||
| Float voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 13.8V | |||||||
| Low voltage reconnect voltage | Gel/Sealed/Flooded: 12.6V | |||||||
| Low voltage disconnect voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 11.1V | |||||||
| Self-consumption | <9.2mA/12V; ≤11.7mA/24V; ≤14.5mA/36V; ≤17mA/48V | |||||||
| USB output | 5VDC/2.4A (Total) | |||||||
| Temperature compensation coefficient | -3mV/°C/2V (25°C) | |||||||
| Relative humidity | ≤95%, N.C. | |||||||
| Enclosure | IP30 | |||||||
| Grounding | Common Positive | |||||||
| Operating temperature range | -25°C ~ +55°C (Product can work continuously at full load) | |||||||
| Dimensions (LxWxH)(mm) | 142x85x41.5 | 160x94.9x49.3 | 181x100.9x59.8 | 181x100.9x59.8 | 194x118.4x63.8 | 194x118.4x63.8 | 214x128.7x72.2 | 214x128.7x72.2 |
| Net Weight | 0.22kg | 0.35kg | 0.55kg | 0.58kg | 0.76kg | 0.88kg | 1.02kg | 1.04kg |
※Parameters are for 12V system at 25°C; values are doubled for 24V system, tripled for 36V system, and quadrupled for 48V system.
8. Warranty and Support (Disclaimer)
This warranty does not apply under the following conditions:
- Damage from improper use or use in an unsuitable environment.
- PV or load current, voltage or power exceeding the rated value of the controller.
- The controller's working temperature exceeds the limit working environment temperature.
- User disassembly or attempted repair of the controller without permission.
- The controller is damaged due to natural elements such as lightning.
- The controller is damaged during transportation and shipment.
9. User Tips
No specific user tips or common issues were provided in the available data. Always ensure proper wiring sequence (battery first) and verify system voltage settings for optimal performance.
