

When using photo-voltaic ( solar) panels to charge lead / acid batteries, a regulator is most often required, because as the battery charges, its terminal voltage will rise. If it is allowed to exceed 2.3 volts per cell, ( 13.8 volts in a 12 volt battery) gassing will occur, and, if this is not controlled, will result in premature loss of electrolyte (liquid) and corrosion and deterioration of the battery plates.
Over the years I have used many different brands and types of regulator, but to my mind, one in particular stands head and shoulders above the rest. The "Aussie" made Plasmatronics "PL series".
They are powerful, flexible, multi-voltage and able to be user programmed and configured in so many
ways they are like a chameleon ! The LCD display measures battery volts, charge and discharge amps and amp-hours, and the 30 day data logger enables the user to truly comprehend power system operation....often may I add, for the first time !
An extensive range of accessories are available for PL regulators, including the ever popular
PLS2, a bi-directional shunt adaptor to measure other charge sources flowing into the battery, such as a wind plant or auxiliary battery charger, and very importantly, amps and amp-hours consumed by an inverter, which in most domestic systems, is where all the energy flows through anyway. Also popular is the PLM remote display and control panel, which can be located up to 100 metres away from the main unit. The PLI is a serial interface, to allow connection to a personal computer for further analysis of system performance, or connection to a modem.

| REGULATOR | TYPE | VOLTS | REG AMPS | LOAD AMPS | AUD$ inc GST |
| PR1210 | Basic | 12 V |
10 A
|
Nil
|
76.00
|
| PR1210 L | Basic. Gel | 12 V |
10 A
|
Nil
|
79.00
|
| PR2410 | Basic | 24 V |
10 A
|
Nil
|
77.00
|
| PR2410 L | Basic. Gel | 24 V |
10 A
|
Nil
|
80.00
|
| PL20 | Computerised | 12 to 48 V |
20 A
|
20 A
|
335.00
|
| PL40 | Computerised | 12 to 48 V |
40 A
|
7 A
|
429.00
|
| PL60 | Computerised | 12 to 48 V |
60 A
|
30 A
|
671.00
|
| HVPL50/120 | Computerised | 120 V |
50 A
|
Nil
|
1300.00
|
| PLM Monitor | Remote monitor for PL series regulators |
165.00
|
|||
| PLS 2 | Shunt adaptor for monitoring inverter load amps | ||||
| or other charge inputs such as wind plant. |
162.00
|
||||
| SH-200 | 200 Amp shunt for use with PLS 2 |
84.00
|
|||
| PLI | Serial interface to connect PL regulators to modem or PC |
93.00
|
|||
| PLA | Synchronises up to 3 PL regs, + alarms + RS232 interface |
364.00
|
|||
| PLTB | Battery temperature sensor. Bolt on M8 Lug. |
29.00
|
|||
| WY | Cable to connect PL20 0r PL40 to accessories |
12.00
|
|||
| WZ | Cable to connect PL60 to accessories |
12.00
|
Home | Solar installations | Your energy requirements | Power profile
Solar system size | "The Planets Suite"
Solar Micro Systems | Price Lists | Our Catalogue | History Archive