SBX Solar Charger Module Users Manual V4.2

This manual relates to SBX Firmware V4.2.x
Older versions of this document:


This manual describes the operation modes of the SBX solar charger module used in solar powered radar sensors like PCR2-ODS or TCR-xSS.

Operation

Load Switch

The SBX’s power management controls the attached load (radar mainboard) and prevents the battery from deep discharge. As soon as battery is above its minimal voltage the attached load ist switched on.

Battery Type Min Voltage Level
NiMH 6S1P (7.2V) 6.6V
NiMH 8S1P (9.6V) 8.8V
Li-Ion 2P2S (7.4) 6.0V


Solar Charger

The charger starts to operate by its own. If there is a input voltage drop, the charger will re-initialize. After Hardware Init the application code takes control. Following state chart shows the application states.

State Description Radar Heater Charger Batt LED Chrg LED
Init Battery initialization Off Off Running Blinking fast Blinking slowly (Charging)
On (Connected)
Off Battery is low Off On when >4W Input and too cold Running 4 Pulses Blinking slowly (Charging)
On (Connected)
On Normal operation On On when >4W Input and too cold Running Blinking slowly (1..99%)
On (100%)
Blinking slowly (Charging)
On (Connected)
Hot Temperature too high On Off Interrupted Blinking slowly (1..99%)
On (100%)
Blinking slowly (Charging)
On (Connected)
Error Battery not connected
Sensor broken
Charger error
Off Off Interrupted Blinking slowly (1..99%)
On (100%)
-

Visualisation

Operation states and errors of the solar charger are indicated by 3 LEDs. Pressing the red button switches on Battery LED and Error LED for some time while the Solar LED is directly controlled by the power input.


Battery LED

Battery LED indication is active after pressing the red button.

   
- Battery is very low or there is an error
Blinking slowly Battery Charge is between 1% and 99%. Radar is enabled.
On Battery is fully charged (100%). Radar is enabled.


Error LED

Error LED indication is active after pressing the red button.

   
- No Error
1 pulse followed by a longer pause Battery not connected
2 pulses followed by a longer pause Battery is too cold for charging. Heater will be activated.
3 pulses followed by a longer pause Battery is too hot. Charging is interrupted to cool down the battery cells
4 pulses followed by a longer pause Battery voltage too low. Initial charging is active.


Charging LED

Charging LED is always active as soon as power source is detected.

   
- No power source
On Power source detected but too less power to start charging.
Blinking slowly Charging active

Technical Data

Voltage levels / Charging currents

Battery Type Typical Voltage Min Voltage (1) Full Voltage (2) Charging End (3) Max Charging Current
NiMH 6S1P 7.2V 6.6V 8.1V 8.7V 1000mA
NiMH 8S1P 9.6V 8.8V 10.8V 11.6V 1000mA
Li-Ion 2P2S 7.4V 6.0V 7.6V 8.4V 2000mA

(1) Load will be switched off below this level to protect the system agains deep discharging. (2) Battery is full (100%) (3) Cut-off voltage for charger to protect battery from damage

Temperature levels

| Battery Type | Min charging temperature | Max charging temparture | |-|-:|-:| | NiMH 6S1P | -10°C | +65°C | NiMH 8S1P | -10°C | +65°C | Li-Ion 2P2S | 0°C | +55°C