We are operating several stations with CR6 connected to a 10/20W solar panel as charge source and 9/12AHr lead acid battery, regulated by the CR6 internal charge controller.
We've noticed that sometimes the 'ChargeState' parameter in the 'Status Table' is showing 'Current Limit' what is the meaning of 'Current Limit', it's not writen in the CR6 manual?
Thanks,
Uri
Current limited charging is when the solar panel is not outputting as much current as the charger would like to use. You typically will see that in the mornings when the sun is not up all the way, or on a cloudy day.
Thank's JDavis for the quick reply.
There is another 'ChargeState' mode - 'Low Charge Input'. I've checked today and at 9:00AM (sun is up at about 6:30AM) 'Low Charge Input' was the state in all of our stations. Today is cloudy.
What is the deference between 'Low Charge Input' to 'Current Limit'?
You expect to go from Low Charge Input to Current Limited to Float Charging.
Charge Input Voltage < Battery Voltage = Low Charge Input
(Charge Input Voltage > Battery Voltage) AND (Battery Voltage < Target Voltage) = Current Limited
(Battery Voltage = Target Voltage) = Float Charging
Note that current limited could be either the limit of the solar panel or the charge controller.
Thank you JDavis for the detailed explanation.
Uri
Uri (and all), I've added this information to the CR6 Datalogger User Assistance application. You can reference this page, should you need it in the future: https://help.campbellsci.com/CR6/Content/Global_Content/Components/Power_Input.htm.
Michelle
Updated link to the online manual: https://help.campbellsci.com/CR6/Content/shared/Components/Power_Input-chg.htm