Grape Solar PWM Charge Controller User Manual
Model: GS-COMET-PWM-40BT
Product Features
- 12V and 24V battery auto-recognition.
- Three pre-set charging modes for sealed, gel, flooded lead-acid deep cycle batteries and a customizable mode for lithium-ion batteries users.
- Three-stage charging with periodic equalization cycle prevents battery sulfation and enhances battery service life.
- Wide range of DC load control modes provide maximum flexibility in running DC loads.
- Built-in protection from common errors such as battery overcharge, battery over-discharge, overload, short-circuit and reverse polarity.
- TVS lightning protection for grounded circuits.
LCD Display Interface Overview
The LCD display shows system status. Key icons and their meanings are:
| Icon | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| (Top Row) | On | Daylight Detected |
| (Top Row) | Off | Daylight Not Detected |
| (Top Row) | Fast Blink | Solar System Over Voltage |
| (Top Row) | On | Battery Connected & Functional |
| (Top Row) | Off | No Battery Connection |
| (Top Row) | Fast Blink | Battery Over-Discharged |
| (Bottom) | Flowing | Charging or Dis-charging |
| (Bottom) | Off | Not Charging or No Load |
| (Top Row) | On | Entering SET Mode |
Device Diagram
The controller features mounting holes for installation. The diagram shows the layout for solar input, battery connection, and DC load output.
LCD Display Cycles
Users can cycle through system status views by short-pressing the Set key. To enter SET mode:
- Battery Type SET Mode: On any view page (except Load Mode), long-press the Set key. Options include Flooded, Sealed, GEL (pre-set), and Lithium (customizable).
- DC Load Management SET Mode: On the Load Mode view page, long-press the Set key. Choose from 18 pre-set load programs.
View Mode: Short press the Set key to cycle through different system status views, such as Solar Voltage, Solar Current, Battery Voltage, Battery Capacity, Load Current, Load Draw, Operating Temperature, and System Voltage.
DC Load Modes
The controller offers various DC load control modes:
- Dusk to Dawn (Mode 0): Load turns on 10 minutes after daylight is not detected.
- Timed Load (Mode 1-14): Load turns on 10 minutes after daylight is not detected and stays on for a pre-set duration (X hours).
- Manual Load (Mode 15): Load can be turned on/off by pressing the light control key.
- Turn Off Load (Mode 16): Load remains off.
- Always On (Mode 17): Load stays on as long as the connected battery voltage is above 11V.
USB Ports: The 1A@5V USB ports are always active in all modes.
Battery Type & Parameter Settings
The controller supports Flooded (FLD), Sealed (SEL), Gel (GEL), and Lithium (LI) battery types. Default programs with pre-set parameters and auto system voltage detection are available for FLD, SEL, and GEL. Lithium mode allows for adjustable charge and discharge parameters.
| Abbreviation | Battery Type | Description | FLD | SEL | GEL | LI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLD | Flooded | Default programs with pre-set parameters and auto system voltage detection. | - | - | - | - |
| SEL | Sealed | - | - | - | - | - |
| GEL | Gel | - | - | - | - | - |
| LI | Lithium | System voltage, charge and discharge adjustable. | - | - | - | - |
| Equalize Charge Voltage | 14.8 V*n | 14.6 V*n | 14.2 V*n | Default: 14.2 V*n | ||
| Boost Charge Voltage | 14.6 V*n | 14.4 V*n | 14.2 V*n | Default: 14.2 V*n | ||
| Float Charge Voltage | 13.8 V*n | 13.8 V*n | 13.8 V*n | Default: 13.8 V*n | ||
| Boost Charge Recovery | 13.2 V*n | 13.2 V*n | 13.2 V*n | Default: 13.2 V*n | ||
| Over-discharge Recovery | 12.6 V*n | 12.6 V*n | 12.6 V*n | Default: 12.6 V*n | ||
| Over-discharge Voltage | 11.1 V*n | 11.1 V*n | 11.1 V*n | Default: 11.1 V*n | ||
| Daylight Detection | 5V*n | 5V*n | 5V*n | 5V*n | ||
Note: The variable 'n' is adopted as a multiplying factor when calculating parameter voltages. If battery voltage is 12V, n=1; if 24V, n=2.
Error Code Chart
| Code | Error | Description |
|---|---|---|
| E00 | No Error | No action needed. |
| E01 | Battery Over-discharge | Battery voltage is too low. DC load will be turned off until discharged battery re-charges. |
| E02 | Battery Over-voltage | Battery voltage has exceeded controller limit. |
| E04 | Load Short Circuit | DC load wiring short circuit. |
| E05 | Load Overload | DC load power draw exceeds controller maximum. |
| E06 | Overheating | Controller overheated. |
| E08 | Solar Over-amperage | Solar array amperage exceeds controller input limit. |
| E10 | Solar Over-voltage | Solar array voltage exceeds controller input limit. |
| E13 | Solar Reverse Polarity | Solar array input wires connected with reverse polarity. |
| E14 | Battery Reverse Polarity | Battery input wires connected with reverse polarity. |
Controller Specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model No. | GS-PWM-COMET-40BT |
| Battery System Voltage | 12V/24V |
| No load Loss | 8mA (12V)/12mA (24V) |
| Max Solar Input Voltage | < 55 Voc |
| Solar Charge Current | 40 A |
| Max Solar Input Power | 600W*n |
| IP Waterproof Rating | IP 32 |
| Dimension | 159*118*59 mm / 6.3*4.6*2.3 in |
| Weight | 0.62 kg/1.37 lbs |
| USB Outlet Rating | 5V 1A |
| Operating Temperature | -25°C to + 45°C / -13°F to + 113°F |
Product Dimension
The physical dimensions of the controller are 159mm x 118mm x 59mm (6.3 x 4.6 x 2.3 inches). The recommended installation area dimensions are 148mm x 75mm (5.8 x 3.0 inches), with installation hole sizes of 4.5mm and 7mm (0.18 and 0.28 inches).
Keypad Interface
The controller features a keypad for operation:
- Set Key: Short press to cycle through settings or view modes. Long press to enter/exit SET mode or save and exit.
- Arrow Keys (▲ / ▼): Short press to adjust parameters. Long press has no function.
- Other Keys: Specific functions might be assigned, but the primary interface relies on Set and Arrow keys for navigation and adjustment.
