Since the schematic shows power comes from main battery (not isolated amp) how does it prevent overcharging of main battery
785657
After main battery reaches 13.1 volts it transfers isolation to other battery. Thus charging the second battery.
1796518
You need an MPPT controller to prevent the battery from overcharging. The controller also prevents the battery from discharging at night.
412652
You do not need to disconnect the battery when the battery is full. The system will go to float mode to protect the battery from overcharging.
430479
I cannot answer that question. I think from all I have read about this charger it cannot overcharge or undercharge its built into the charger. I use mine to charge my boat trolling motor and when the green light comes on I always disconnect it. I have never left mine on to continually charge. Some battery chargers will damage the battery if they don't switch to the maintenance cycle. But once again I think this battery charger it's all built in to not overcharge. That's why I bought it. Hope this helps some. I am just telling you how I use mine and I have never left mine hooked up past the full charge. Sorry. I cannot answer that question. I think from all I have read about this charger it cannot overcharge or undercharge its built into the charger. I use mine to charge my boat trolling motor and when the green light comes on I always disconnect it. I have never left mine on to continually charge. Some battery chargers will damage the battery if they don't switch to the maintenance cycle. But once again I think this battery charger it's all built in to not overcharge. That's why I bought it. Hope this helps some. I am just telling you how I use mine and I have never left mine hooked up past the... » Read More I cannot answer that question. I think from all I have read about this charger it cannot overcharge or undercharge its built into the charger. I use mine to charge my boat trolling motor and when the green light comes on I always disconnect it. I have never left mine on to continually charge. Some battery chargers will damage the battery if they don't switch to the maintenance cycle. But once again I think this battery charger it's all built in to not overcharge. That's why I bought it. Hope this helps some. I am just telling you how I use mine and I have never left mine hooked up past the full charge. Sorry. « Show Less
742657
I'm not sure. There is a small device that is inline with the positive and negative 12v supply that regulates the voltage and can switch on and off power. I assume it is some sort of relay/potentiometer. I don't know where any excess power gets dumped, I think it's just not being used.
1612790
There is not much draw when turning it on or off. If you wire right from the hot side of the battery with a fuse protection to your switch to the solonoid you won't need any other power source.
133334
I would be careful because the power supply that comes with the amp is a regulated system. If you could get some sort of regulation circuit after your batteries it should be okay.
2065342
Don't know exactly, can only assume its to avoid overpowering electrical unit. Mine was already set up that way.
1796520
You should have at least a basic charge controller to avoid over-charging your battery and possibly damaging it. The panel has built-in diodes to prevent discharging your battery when there's no light on the panel.
2177925
If you are using the using the radio power wires to power this amp yes you are overloading the circuit. This amp needs it's own fused power wire 16 guage from the battery to power this amp.
712396
Just started mine. The load goes to the equipment you are powering, the battery goes to the battery as indicated. This unit is to automatically control the charging of the batteries only when needed and take power from either the solar cell or battery when the load is on. I can give more in a couple weeks after mine has been fully tested. If you hook the batteries to the load terminal it can overcharge the batteries and cause problems, maybe even fire. Not knowing how you are using this it is the best I can answer. Correct connections will be important if the load is not constant.
1476806
To prolong the life of your battery, I strongly recommend a charge controller. They will keep the battery from overcharge off-gassing. More off-gassing means more maintenance (acid level checks, adding DI water etc). Many batteries don't handle over-charging well.
2180951
I had the same concerns about potentially overcharging the battery. Even though this model charges at a very low rate, nevertheless, Schmacher recommends also purchasing their "Solar Charge Controller" #SPC-7A. When time allows, I may give Schmacher a call and quiz their techs on whether or not a controller is really necessary on this lower output solar unit.
204576
Yes, it does prevent over-charging. This is accomplished by the charger switching to a type of stand-by mode when the battery is fully charged. Its LED display shows the specific cycle in which the charger is operating. If the battery power drops to a level below full charge, the charger switches to charging mode to top-off the battery again. I am completely sold on this CTEK Charger! Also, it CAN re-charge a supposedly "Dead" battery, if the battery is still capable of accepting a charge. This is achieved through its "de-sulfation" (altho this is not the correct term) process.
1784691
You don't need a controller because this unit does not supply enough amps to overcharge a regular sized (car, boat, etc.) battery. If you test the voltage under no load it may scare you because it's too high, but if you apply ohm's law and understand that the current is limited by the capacity of the unit, you'll find that the voltage under load is only a couple of tenths of a volt higher than the battery in its disconnected state.
204578
Yes, it does prevent over-charging. This is accomplished by the charger switching to a type of stand-by mode when the battery is fully charged. Its LED display shows the specific cycle in which the charger is operating. If the battery power drops to a level below full charge, the charger switches to charging mode to top-off the battery again. I am completely sold on this CTEK Charger! Also, it CAN re-charge a supposedly "Dead" battery, if the battery is still capable of accepting a charge. This is achieved through its "de-sulfation" (altho this is not the correct term) process. Yes, it does prevent over-charging. This is accomplished by the charger switching to a type of stand-by mode when the battery is fully charged. Its LED display shows the specific cycle in which the charger is operating. If the battery power drops to a level below full charge, the charger switches to charging mode to top-off the battery again. I am completely sold on this CTEK Charger! Also, it CAN re-charge a supposedly "Dead" battery, if the battery is still capable of accepting a charge. This is achieved through its "de-sulfation" (altho this is not the... » Read More Yes, it does prevent over-charging. This is accomplished by the charger switching to a type of stand-by mode when the battery is fully charged. Its LED display shows the specific cycle in which the charger is operating. If the battery power drops to a level below full charge, the charger switches to charging mode to top-off the battery again. I am completely sold on this CTEK Charger! Also, it CAN re-charge a supposedly "Dead" battery, if the battery is still capable of accepting a charge. This is achieved through its "de-sulfation" (altho this is not the correct term) process. « Show Less
943268
No, you can not over charge the battery. It does not have a charge controller but it has a voltage regulator that prevents overcharging (additionally, it keeps power from the alternator from reaching the panel). I have had mine plugged in for 7 months straight and can even drive with it connected with no problems.