Charge Regulators

There are many different types of charge regulators available on the market, the simplest switch on/off regulators, PWM charge regulators which charge the battery with constant voltage or constant current (they are the most often used regulators in PV systems) to the most complex MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) charge regulators. MPPT charge regulators are more expensive and suit large systems better, where the investment in an expensive MPPT regulator returns quickly. In most cases, including inexpensive charge regulators for small systems, regulator set includes all necessary electronics for battery protection, such as protection against deep discharging and against overcharging. Charge regulator functioning is characterised by two different voltage thresholds, battery and module voltage, upon which the battery is charged. At higher voltage, usually 12.4 V for 12 V batteries, charge regulator switches the load to the battery, at lower voltage, typically 11.5 V, regulator switches the load off. On the market you can find charge regulators which allow manual settings of these thresholds, or you could merely adjust the battery type to Pb acid or Gel type, and the regulator will adjust the two voltage thresholds automatically according to the battery type without losing the performance. If excessive ambient temperature swings of more than 5°C are expected, temperature compensated charge regulator electronics should be used.