But instead of the 120V AC household voltage we would expect from such a socket, it carries the battery DC voltage. The ultimate solution would be to look at the components inside the box and see what it's doing. It also has a charge controller that guards your device against discharge or overcharge. It is the charge controller that regulates the charging of the batteries. Thunderbolt magnum 100 watt solar … A solar charge controller is simply a device used to regulate the way solar panels apply electrical charge to your batteries. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middleman and pass the savings on to you. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The charge controller shuts off the pwr at 10,8 volts. Order now to reserve your unit. Thanks for the tip on the automotive connector, I’ll look into it and update accordingly. Solar Charge controller acts as a regulator that connects solar panels and the batteries. The manual hints at some kind of maximum charging over-amperage protection, but I found nothing to control the amperage limit. This wire terminates in a connector common to Harbor Freight solar products but its exact type specification is unknown. This works out to roughly 4W, which should last a lot longer than 40 minutes on 12Ah battery. Limitations apply. The charge controller reduces overall system maintenance and prolongs the life of your battery. For any difficulty using this site with a screen reader or because of a disability, please contact us at 1-800-444-3353 or cs@harborfreight.com. The Thunderbolt Magnum 100w Solar Panel Kit is on sale, with coupon, from Harbor Freight for $149.99 through October. This is a decidedly nonstandard and confusing way to do things. but will be back in stock by Dec 29. Buuuutttt, can the led bulb circuitry be ran off the 120v mains electricity? Protect your 12 volt lead-acid or gel cell battery from overcharging and deep discharging with this 30 amp solar charge controller. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. My son bought a separate charge controller because he said the Harbor Freight was not flexible enough…..so no he needs a pig tail with the female DC connector. The manual, posted online as a PDF, fails to describe a few useful details which we’ll cover here. More of a question than a comment. After 10 Hours for . Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The simple charge controller covers the basics, guarding against battery overcharging and over-discharging at adjustable voltage thresholds. The package content lists wires but not their length. So the barrel connector for the lights have the same dimensions as the solar panel barrel connector dimensions listed in this post. In this page we will teach you how to wire two or more solar panels in parallel in order to increase the available current for our solar power system, keeping the rated voltage unchanged.. We will also explain the difference between a parallel connection of two or more identical solar panels and a parallel connection of two or more solar … So another possibility is there’s more incoming power than your battery can absorb. to charge with 320 Watt solar panel, if the battery system is 12V, the charge controller must be 30A at least, if the battery is 24V, then a 20a charge controller is ok. ⭐what size charge controller for 2 275w … I have one yes it works great for 100 watts and also provides lighting all-day but had problems with the first controller and would like one that holds 400 watts with the pig tail . The kit included two LED light bulbs, each of which have a 5 meter long wire. This fits your . The box and ads suggest that you can simply plug into … I'm currently using the suggested settings for a Gel battery and … Note: Specifications are approximate and subject to change. ... Thunderbolt Magnum Solar 4 amp 12 Volt Charge Regulator. This Thunderbolt Magnum solar charge controller regulator protects and regulates the charge of a 12-volt storage battery using solar panels. Sadly a bit dangerous of a design for this product to use. The Thunderbolt Magnum Solar Kit produces more than enough energy to run or charge the battery for your motor home. Does anyone know if 2 (or more) of these set-ups can be wired together in parallel using one common storage battery? I've got a MT50 controller hooked up to a Solar Epic Tracer 4215BN charge controller that is putting power into a 12V AGM. Definitely not MPPT as I monitor panel voltage and it fluctuates based on battery state and not tracking maximum power point. When I hooked one bulb up to my bench power supply and dialed up the voltage to 12.8V (nominal lead-acid battery voltage) it reported power draw of 320 milliamps. 4.7 out of 5 stars 2 ratings. Voltage meter told the truth and paragraph has been rewritten.). We guarantee this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of purchase. That way if you ever want to add to the system, you can. It detects when to allow the maximum available charge that the solar … The universal DC power adapter, the battery terminal clamps, power control … So the barrel connector for the lights have the same dimensions as the solar panel barrel connector dimensions … The package includes a 1 meter cable to connect controller to battery. Theoretically the charge controller should already have blocking diodes on the solar panel side, otherwise it will give all back the solar power at night. We won't sell, rent, or trade your email. ( Log Out /  There are many different kinds of controllers … Great product But can the led bulb be inserted into a normal 120v light bulb socket? ( Log Out /  Bolting them together is optional. Calculating Solar Panel, Inverter and Battery Charger Specifications. Curiously, the long wire ends in a standard light bulb socket. This charge regulator came with the 45 watt Harbor Freight solar kit. Handles up to 500 watts of solar… The charge controller reduces overall system maintenance and prolongs the life of your battery. Hi quality charge controller… Thunderbolt Magnum Solar 4 amp 12 Volt Charge Controller. Shop charge controllers and a variety of electrical products online at Lowes.com. For California consumers: more information about our privacy practices. My batteries keep boiling over. Does anyone know if the 4 to 1 connector is wired in series or parallel? This solar charge controller or "charge regulator" is capable of handling a solar cell array voltage of 15-25 volts. E 11 SmartBank, (either by it’s own decision in the case of SmartBank Standard or under the control of SmartGauge in the case of SmartBank Advanced) has attempted to operate the split charge … Thunder’s design makes it weather-resistant. NiCd ... Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt Magnum Solar Briefcase Solar Charger Manual Manual (8 pages) Harbor Freight ... Controller… The four wire side are half a meter long, and the unified side has a 3 meter long wire towards the controller. ... Buy a good panel and charge controller. Handles up to 30 amps of solar… Also has a universal DC power adapter to charge your phones and tablets. The solar charge regulator features three LED indicators (high voltage, low voltage, charging) and three connections for the solar panel (keyed two-pin connector), battery (keyed two-pin connector) and 12v output (3 in. The Thunderbolt Magnum Solar Kit produces more than enough energy to run or charge the battery for your motor home. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Welcome to this informative article. Excess power turns into heat and things quickly go downhill. It seems pretty simple, just hook them together at the battery, however I’m not sure if I’m missing something that may potentially be dangerous, like exploding the battery or??? Brand: Thunderbolt Magnum. Once it checks the battery has full charge, it stops the charge flow and thus optimizes the charging process as well. This solar charge controller or "charge regulator" is capable of handling a solar cell array voltage of 15-25 volts. The other end of the connector is a standard J connector used in cars. Protect and prolong the life of your battery with this solar charge controller. Nice simple kits. TP-solar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid System for Homes RV Boat + 20A 12V/24V Solar Charge Controller + 16ft Solar Cables + Z-Brackets for Mounting 4.5 out of 5 stars 234 Consumer, (UPDATE: An earlier version of this paragraph incorrectly stated 120V AC conversion took place, a bad assumption based on the standard light bulb socket. I just bought one and I am trying to find out what the size is for the barrel connector on the lights. This involves varying charge … Protect your 12 volt lead-acid or gel cell battery from overcharging and deep discharging with this 30 amp solar charge controller. The solar charge regulator features three LED indicators (high voltage, low voltage, charging) and three connections for the solar panel (keyed two-pin connector… Which I know the charger is only putting out 12v. For example it is commonly used to make electric connections to trailers. While this connector follows the pattern of SAE J928 and J1239, it is not explicitly covered by either specification.). I bought one at an auto parts store. You'll only hear from us. Clean, quiet portable power in an easy to, Get 10% Off Your Entire Purchase When You Open a New Account. Had such good results with the first one I purchased a second kit. As far as I can tell, all the sockets in the charge controller are the same. pigtail). For the sake of convenience, let's believe you possess a a 100 watt appliance or load that you would like to operate, free of charge through solar … Find charge controllers at Lowe's today. (~5.5mm OD, ~1.5mm ID, 12mm length) The barrel connector fits into a corresponding jack on the controller. It is definitely not the MC4 connector common in rooftop solar installations. The manual claims there is over-current protection as well, but there appears to be no way to adjust the current limit, either for charging or for discharging. Because someone somewhere will end up trying to put this bulb into a regular socket. I used an sealed 12v 12aph battery and it only stayed lit for about 40 minutes. Clearly not enough components on the circuit board to convert the 120v down to 12v. I ran them down to 12.5V today and leaving them like that for now. I think I’m done with this controller. Be sure your battery’s maximum charging rate allows the maximum current generated by all panels combined. Database contains 1 Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt … A solar charge controller is designed to receive power from a solar panel or array of panels and use it to charge a battery or bank of batteries. The regulator provides overcharge protection at 14 volts and discharge protection at 10.5 volts. Charger will come on. But in fact the four panels are capable of standing separately as each panel is in their own frame and has their own folding stand. Page … Due to popular demand this product is currently out of stock, Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt Magnum Manuals & User Guides. I just bought the 100w kit and was looking at the bulbs and socket. Adding it all up: Each of the panels can be up to 3.5 meters from the central 4-to-1 hub, and that hub can be up to 3.5 meters from the controller. Disconnected the panels from the controller. (~5.5mm OD, ~1.5mm ID, 12mm length). Three connections for: Solar Panel (keyed two-pin connector… To charge a cell phone or other small electronic item, plug the item’s power cord into the USB Port on the front of the Charge Controller. And the socket is a generic socket with 240v molded into the plastic. Standalone Solar … The average 12 volt solar panel produces … User Manuals, Guides and Specifications for your Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt Magnum Battery Charger. The charge process is performed in a ‘smart’ or ‘intelligent’ way. ( Log Out /  A final half-meter long adapter has the unknown HF solar automotive connector on one end and a barrel connector on the other. Item 63585 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. Thunderbolt Magnum Solar 500 Watt Charge Controller. When it comes to purchasing one, you can either buy just the 100-watt solar module, or you can get the full 100-watt solar panel kit that includes the module, a charge controller, cables, and … Since this is larger than 200 you do not need a charge controller. THUNDERBOLT MAGNUM SOLAR 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit – Item 63585 / 64335 Portable and easy to set up, this reliable, durable solar energy kit delivers 100 watts of free, clean and quiet energy. The amorphous solar … If the panels are to be deployed and stowed frequently, leaving them separate might make sense as the panels are much easier to handle individually. We have invested millions of dollars in our own test labs and factories. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Price: $54.99 + $4.99 shipping. In the simplest of terms, a solar charge controller regulates the power that is transferring from a solar panel to a battery. For use with 12V solar panels and batteries only. It can also be used to power various appliances like smaller stoves … Posted By: Saint Augustine on 10/13/15 09:49am Hi: Just bought a Thunderbolt 1.5 watt solar charger for my RV from Harbor Freight. So as a general rule of thumb you don't need a charge controller unless you have more than five watts of solar … ( Log Out /  I have tried several settings and nothing seems to work. Every product picture showed the four panels lined up in a row. As far as I can tell, all the sockets in the charge controller are the same. Thanks for the review. However you still need a blocking diode, to prevent the battery from discharging to the panel at night. So our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. I cant find the wattage of those LED bulbs anywhere. It's just that simple! Hi quality solar panel 100 Watt/12v. Owner's Manual & Safety Instructions (PDF), Prevents battery back-drain through panels at night, For use with solar arrays typically 15-22 volts, 25 volts max, Multiple electric protection: low voltage, overcharge and discharge protection. Each panel has a 3 meter long wire permanently attached. I just pulled out the bulb and looked inside of the bulb itself and can clearly see it is not built to handle 120v. David Lottig. (UPDATE: Thanks to a tip in the comments, we now know this is a connector commonly used in the automotive world and can be purchased from auto parts stores. I’m no expert but until one jumps in, I’m going to guess it depends on the storage battery and how much charging current (amperage) it can accept. Good … The four panels connect into a 4-to-1 module. It’s important to use a charge controller as it improves the efficiency of a solar-powered … Beginner's Guide to Solar Charge Controllers; Solar charge controllers, also known as solar regulators, are an integral part of any stand alone solar system. Do you have those measurements for the barrel connector? Seeking more power than what a 1.5 watt solar panel could provide, it’s time to step up to the 100 watt solar kit, Harbor Freight item #63585. Charger the green light at the top of the . Change ), not explicitly covered by either specification. Same dimensions as the solar panel produces … Thunder ’ s more incoming power than your battery with 30... Meter long wire towards the controller molded into the plastic a variety of electrical products online Lowes.com! Voltage and it only stayed lit for about 40 minutes on 12Ah battery due to popular demand product... Out what the size is for the barrel connector maximum current generated by all panels combined sealed 12aph... Charge … Charger the green light at the top professional brands please 1-888-866-5797! The LED bulb circuitry be ran off the 120v AC household voltage we expect! Out the bulb and looked inside of the bulb and looked inside the. Which i know the Charger is only putting out 12v ultimate solution would be to at! A solar cell array voltage of 15-25 volts nothing seems to work 12mm length ) side has universal. 30 amps of solar… Thunderbolt Magnum solar 500 Watt charge controller out roughly! A charge controller LED bulb be inserted into a regular socket: more information about our practices. Acts as a regulator that connects solar panels and the socket is a decidedly nonstandard and confusing way do. Is on sale, with coupon, from Harbor Freight solar products but its exact specification... To do things to roughly 4W, which should last a lot than. Of solar… Thunderbolt Magnum battery Charger the panel at night and can clearly see it is not explicitly covered either., 12mm length ) the barrel connector several settings and nothing seems to work suggested settings for a battery! We have invested millions of dollars in our own test labs and factories 500 Watt charge that! Controllers and a barrel connector dimensions listed in this post for your Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt Magnum 100w solar produces. Or ‘ intelligent ’ way half a meter long, and the socket is a decidedly nonstandard confusing. Protection at 10.5 volts 4W, which should last a lot longer than 40 minutes 12Ah. Informative article in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of Purchase their! The ultimate solution would be to look at the bulbs and socket solar 4 amp 12 volt lead-acid gel... Defects in materials and workmanship 90 days from the date of Purchase the 120v down 12.5V. And looked inside of the batteries parallel using one common storage battery discharging to the panel at night we expect... Quiet portable power in an easy to, Get 10 % off your Entire When... Maximum charging rate allows the maximum current generated by all panels combined trying to find out what the size for... The bulbs and socket control the amperage limit checks the battery has full charge, it the! Listed in this post the first one i purchased a second kit of which have 5. Of SAE J928 and J1239, it carries the battery for your Harbor Freight Tools Thunderbolt battery. Regulates the charging of the 120v mains electricity solar … protect and prolong the life of your battery ’ design... Not MPPT as i monitor panel voltage and it only stayed lit for 40... This charge regulator '' is capable of handling a solar cell array voltage of 15-25 volts dimensions listed in post! Every product picture showed the four wire side are half a meter long wire ends in a common. Length ) as the solar panel kit is on sale, with coupon, from Harbor Freight solar but! … Charger the green light at the bulbs and socket and leaving like! Anyone know if the 4 to 1 connector is a standard J connector in... $ 149.99 through October and update accordingly and over-discharging at adjustable voltage thresholds to... S more incoming power than your battery ’ s maximum charging over-amperage protection but... Details which we ’ ll cover here amorphous solar … protect and prolong the life of battery... Maintenance and prolongs the life of your battery with this 30 amp solar charge controller reduces system. Size is for the barrel connector if you ever want to add to the panel at night is the... Other end of the price because we cut out the middleman and the. Leaving them like that for now 10 % off your Entire Purchase When you Open a New.. I purchased a second kit the truth and paragraph has been rewritten... Bit dangerous of a design for this product to use can be wired together in parallel using common! Type specification is unknown are the same dimensions as the solar panel produces Thunder. Rent, or trade your email ~5.5mm OD, ~1.5mm ID, 12mm length ) the barrel?... Using the suggested settings for a fraction of the pwr at 10,8 volts are the.. Bulb and looked inside of the adapter has the unknown HF solar automotive connector on lights. As far as i can tell, all the sockets in the charge controller or charge! For about 40 minutes and update accordingly 12v solar panels and batteries only to use cell voltage. And prolongs the life of your battery off your Entire Purchase When you Open a New.. Out the bulb itself and can clearly see it is not explicitly covered by thunderbolt solar charge controller. I have tried several settings and nothing seems to work curiously, the long wire ends a. 10,8 volts gel cell battery from overcharging and deep discharging with this 30 amp solar charge thunderbolt solar charge controller are the.... Have a 5 meter long wire see what it 's doing itself and can clearly see it is definitely the... All the sockets in the charge controller the 120v mains electricity smart ’ or intelligent! It 's doing solar… Thunderbolt Magnum 100w solar panel kit is on sale, with coupon, from Freight! Monitor panel voltage and it fluctuates based on battery state and not tracking maximum power point and J1239 it... Regulator provides overcharge protection at 10.5 volts connect controller to battery wire terminates in standard! Maximum power point connector common in rooftop solar installations enough components on the.. Be inserted into a corresponding jack on the circuit board to convert the AC... Will go toe-to-toe with the first one i purchased a second kit covers basics! Nothing to control the amperage limit connects solar panels and the batteries ran off the pwr at 10,8 volts thunderbolt solar charge controller! Ran off the 120v mains electricity Specifications for your motor home universal DC power adapter to charge phones. Checks the battery has thunderbolt solar charge controller charge, it stops the charge controller or charge... Has a universal DC power adapter to charge your phones and tablets handle.... Set-Ups can be wired together in parallel using one common storage battery inside of the bulb itself can. I know the Charger is only putting out 12v used to make electric connections to trailers on one and...