48V Solar Battery Charger Circuit with High/Low Cut-off

133 thoughts on “48V Solar Battery Charger Circuit with High/Low Cut-off”

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   Howdy, Friend! Interested to Learn Circuit Designing? Let's Start Discussing below!

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2. How to reples 48v contactor to 12v

   • you will need a separate 12V supply for the relay

4. Sir I again request u to please help me in making this 48 volt current controller . I have 48 v solar system in my house with 3.6 kw inverter and 150 ah x 4 batteries.
   Will thanks a lot.

   • Labh, you can try the second diagram from the following article

     https://www.homemade-circuits.com/make-this-48v-automatic-battery-charger/

     Rx = 0.6 / 60 = 0.01 ohms, wattage = 36 watt or 50 watt will be good.

6. Dear Swagatam,
   I want to use 48V automatic solar battery charger using relay circuit.
   But I need to charge 4 x 50A battery with constant 3 Ampere.
   How can we add current limit to this circuit.
   Best regards,
   Kaya

   • Hi Yilkaya,

     for getting a current control feature, you can upgrade the circuit as per the last concept from the following article

     https://homemade-circuits.com/make-this-48v-automatic-battery-charger/

8. thanks sir the system has responded well. i had to replace the ic with another new one and now and geting also a new 24v relay in place of other one and then do the final testing will update you sir thanks for your great time and quick responses

   • That’s great Olupot, wish you all the best!!

10. hello stil disturbing the green led and the relay are not going off even when i set the red led to light green remains on and relay keeps on meaning its always on charge mode
    i have done all u said regarding the circuit thanks

    • Olupot, you did not do what I told you to do.

      did you check and verify the voltages with a meter?

      you will have to understand the concept thoroughly to make it work correctly, and it’s too easy.

      the opamp is configured as a comparator.

      in this mode, when voltage at pin#3 is higher than pin#2 you get a supply level voltage at pin#6.

      conversely, when the voltage at pin#3 is lower than pin#2 then you get a zero at pin#6.

      Based on this principle the entire circuit is designed to work and cut off.

      so please check the above procedures and make sure your IC is performing as per these specifications.

12. hello sir when a put on max voltage and all preset at zero resistance the green led is lighting and the relay is on as long as green led is lighting but red is off now when i vary the 10k the red turns on but green does not go off like that and relay even turned on

    • Olupot, both LEDs can never be ON together, did you connect the output zener correctly?…check the voltage after the zener and make sure it switches from zero to supply and vice versa during the preset adjustments…..or you can try increasing the zener value to some higher level in order to block any leakage from the IC output.

      keep Rx disconnected while confirming the LED actions.

      make sure the opmp IC is getting the correct supply, not exceeding 15V

      there’s one correction to be made in the 2nd last diagram…. 10K preset upper end must connect with the battery positive….I’ll correct this in the diagram shortly

14. hello sir i have sucessfully built the circuit with out any problem but now am left with doing the final setting regarding high and low batt cut off what should i use for testing the all thing and the function of the upper green led and lower red led. thanks very much

    • Olupot, until you have completed the setting up procedures and tested it correctly you cannot say you have achieved success.

      1) replace Rx with a 220k preset, an set it at the least or zero resistance.
      2) keep the 10k preset slider to ground.
      3)now apply maximum full charge voltage to the circuit.
      4)adjust the 10k preset slowly until the relay just clicks ON.(RED LED ON, Green OFF))

      5) now reduce the voltage to the lower threshold level, and start adjusting the 220K preset until the relay clicks OFF in the charging mode (Green ON, red OFF)

16. hello sir want some help once again i want to place a 10pot in place of Rx. and can i use th circuit as 24v charger to charge a 24v battery. thanks

    • I have already answered this, please check your spam folder in your email for the replies

18. hello sir want some help once again i am placing a 10k inplace of Rx and can i use this circuit as a 24v charger thanks

    • yes you can use it for 24V application

20. hello sir once again want some help i am placing a 10k pot to replace Rx and can i use the same circuit as a 24v charger thanks

    • OLupot, you can use 10K for Rx, but 10K looks very small and the lower threshold might trigger very late, may be after the battery has drained to less than 60%…so the value should be adjusted with some trial and error….or you can refer to this article for the formula:

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2017/01/universal-battery-charger-circuit.html

22. thanks alot sir i am now going to use the circuit with two 24v relays to charge my batts but need some clarification on the value of resistors marked Rx,4k7, and 3k3 .the rest i have them with me thanks very much for your time in helping me

    • 10K/3k3 decide the stepped down voltage level produced at the emitter of the BC546 for supplying the IC changing these will change the supply to the IC side.

      4k7 is the LED limiting resistor.

      Rx determines the activation of the relay at a given lower battery thershold, you will need to select this resistor through some trial and error by experimenting at what lower threshold the particular resistor value resumes the relay back into the charging mode.

24. Hi sir thanks for the post am learning alot of things now.
    sir i would want to charge 6 batteries in parrel each battery is rated at 12v/100Ah wat can i do with the circuit

    • Thanks Olupot, if the batts are in parallel then the above circuit cannot be used, but if they are in series then you can definitely use any of the above concepts…

26. Hi, Swagatam, sir please I need a circuit for 12V/60A solar charger controller for my project.

    Please sir I will be glad if you help me

    • Hi, you can try the following circuit and modify it suitably to fulfill your requirement

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2015/05/5v-pwm-solar-battery-charger-circuit.html

28. Okay Swagatam,

    Hey thanks for all your help really appreciate it.

    Regards,
    Neo

    • thanks Neo, it's my pleasure!

30. Thanks Swagatam,

    So this one– 48V Solar Battery Charger Circuit with High/Low Cut-off.

    or this one–Self Optimizing Solar Battery Charger Circuit with Buck Converter.

    I don't really want to baby sit the batteries that is why I want a circuit that will have full control, if that makes sense, lol
    Neo

    • Neo, the first module from the following article will be compact and ideally suited to your need.

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/08/make-this-48v-automatic-battery-charger.html

      a buck converter type of charger will not help much considering that the difference between your panel voltage and battery voltage is not large, however if your panel current is significantly higher than the combined battery current then you may consider employing a boost converter type of self-optimizing charger, which will ensure a sustained supply even while sunlight is not at its peak level.

32. Swagatam,

    this is the one https://homemade-circuits.com/2014/11/self-optimizing-solar-pwm-charger.html

    you see I have three arrays at 62 volts 50+ amps each so want to build the right circuit for each array.

    Thanks
    Neo

    • OK, you can build it, but according to me when the panel voltage is close to the battery voltage you don't have to involve complex control for controlling, which can actually do the opposite and make the system inefficient,

      I would suggest you to simply connect the loads directly with the panel through isolating diodes and if required with separate current controllers

34. Ok Thanks a lot Swagatam,

    I'm going to build this circuit your the one that has the buck converter.
    What one would you recommend, my batteries are 48v the solar panels are 62v and the
    amps are 50+.

    Great work your doing here by the way.

    Regards,
    Neo

    • You are most welcome Neo,

      are you referring to this circuit?

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2016/10/mppt-circuit-using-lm317-ic.html

      By the way if your panel is 60V and the batts are 48v, you wouldn't require anything complex for charging, a current controlled full-charge charge cut/off stage in the middle will be just enough to charge the batteries at maximum efficiency, although this would happen only as long as the panel voltage is above 55V

36. Hello Swagatam,
    I forgot to ask you if it would be possible to add a equalization stage with a led and a switch to your circuit?

    Regards,
    Neo

    • Hi Neo, I did not understand what you meant by equalization stage, please elaborate a little more.

    • Swagatam,

      Equalizing is an overcharge performed on flooded lead acid batteries after they have been fully charged. It reverses the buildup of negative chemical effects like stratification, a condition where acid concentration is greater at the bottom of the battery than at the top. Equalizing also helps to remove sulfate crystals that might have built up on the plates. If left unchecked, this condition, called sulfation, will reduce the overall capacity of the battery.

    • Thanks Neo, yes I know about it, I got confused because I started imagining it to be a circuit related term, but actually it's a battery related term.

      Equalization is not an everyday requirement, rather it's maintenance process that needs to be done occasionally.

      The circuit already has an overcharging facility, in fact it will overcharge the battery slightly each time it's connected. The threshold can be tweaked by the user by simply adjusting the 10k preset of the opamp. so it can be adjusted at 56V.58V, 60V or any other level as per the user's preference.

      The circuit can also be forced to fluctuate between a high charge cut off and a quick restart as soon as the battery voltage goes down only by a few millivolts. This can be done by appropriately selecting the feedback resistor or the hysteresis resistor.

38. thanks Swagatam

40. Swagatam, what would need to be changed in order for the circuit to handle more amps?

    • you can achieve it simply by upgrading the mosfets with higher amp rating mosfets

42. Hi Swagatam,

    I wonder if you can help me again with regards to switch-over circuit. Two batteries (48V, 200Ah) will be charge from solar. Here is the scenario; "Batt A" while on use "Batt B" is being charge from solar and will automatically stand-by when full charged. And when "Batt A" is at low charge (assuming 40V) "Batt B" will automatically switch-over and "Batt A" will be charge from Solar while "Batt B" is being use. And vice-versa, when "Baat B" reaches 40v "Batt A" will take-over and "Batt B" will be charge.

    By the way, this is for my project supplying My 12KW, 48Vdc Inverter. It is like having two source of 48Vdc supply that will automatically switch-over when the other group reaches 40Vdc.

    Thank you and hoping for your response soon.

    Regards,

    Dwines

    • Hi Dwines, I already have a couple similar designs in this website, you can find them below:

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2013/08/automatic-dual-battery-charger-with.html

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2014/05/twin-or-split-battery-charger-circuit.html

      for making them compatible with 48V you may have to supply the IC circuit from a 7812 IC, and add additional 22K resistors with the existing resistors.

    • …sorry, 22K resistor will be required only with the preset upper terminals which may be disconnected from its existing position and separately connected with 48V battery positive for the sensing

44. Hi Swagatam,

    On the last circuit diagram, you have mention that D1 & D2 current rating = Batt Ah/2. Assuming I have 4 units of 12V, 200Ah Batt (48V, 200Ah) what would be the current rating for D1 & D2? And what is the value of R1 in between TIP142 emitter and D2?

    Thank you and looking forward to your reply soon.

    Best & Regards,

    Dwines

    • Hi dwines, Actually it should be (Battery charging current) x 2

      so it should be preferably rated at current twice that of the preferred charging current.

      for 200AH, the charging rate could be around 30 amps, so the diodes could be rated to handle 60 amps, although slightly lower values could be also tried.

      R1 decides the charging current for the battery, you can use Ohm's law to determine its value

    • Hi Swagatam,

      Thank you & I really appreciate your help.

      Dwines

46. Hello Swagatam,

    I am a reader of your blog, and i am dumbfounded with your amazing ideas. Can you help me build a battery charger with the following feature, i am new to electronics hardwaring:
    1. Over current protection
    2. Over voltage protection/ cutoff (Maybe at 15V)
    3. 12V SLA battery
    4. Under Voltage protection/ cutoff (Maybe at 10.3V)
    5. As much as possible, the battery should remain at approx 12V
    6. Fault protection
    7. Fast Charging

    I have a 12V SLA battery but i don't know its capacity (AH), please help me.I'll be using this for my inverter.Hoping for your positive response. Thanks

    • Thank you Jade,

      I have already included and explained all these concepts in websites, you just have to use the search box given at the top of the site to find these.

      as an example you can also refer to this post which includes almost all these features in it:

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/10/make-this-3-step-automatic-battery.html

48. how if made big current transistor (and volt) use etc,tip 142 and connect to positive line 1-5 transistor and 1k resistor base and potentiometer 10K adj,volt can working ?

    • you mean configure am an emitter follower as done in the following article? yes posiible

      https://homemade-circuits.com/2015/03/100-amp-variable-voltage-power-supply.html

50. i try looking at net how i can adjust power toroid transformer come out 52V and stepper motor driver max have 48V how adjust volt to down. and thats have only site were have about same. what i need do i can use thats schematic to my cnc machine 10amp power supply ? need adj,down 57V to 48volt,
    transformer go out about 52V after 20 000uf capasitor have 57V and stepper motor driver need only max 48V how drop volt ?

    • To drop 52V to 48V at 10 amps you can use series diodes rated at 20 amps each….use 7 diodes in series with the positive supply line of the 52V , the output will be a reduced 48V approx

52. in the last circuit in the absence of sunlight, the battery will operate the load regardless of the battery charge condition, meaning even if the battery is low still the load will be operated..

    • disconnect the load wire from the drain of the load mosfet and connect it with the battery negative, do it while the BC546 is ON…when BC546 is switched OFF connect the wire back to the drain.

      keep the 22k across the load mosfet drain and positive, otherwise the battery mosfet will not conduct..

54. then either your load mosfet is faulty or your meter is faulty.

    connect two 24V bulbs in series in place of the load (22k) and see the response.

56. put the meter prods right across the 22K resistor or the load and see the reading
    it should be 0V when gate/source of the mosfet is zero

58. use R1 = 5 ohms 500 watt
    D1/D2 = 20 amp diodes
    use a large heatsink for TIP142

60. put the meter prods right across the 22K resistor or the load and see the reading
    it should be 0V when gate/source of the mosfet is zero

62. that is perfect

64. check your BC546 base LED while moving the preset…whenever the LED is ON, load mosfet will be off and voltage across its drain and ground will be 56V

    MAKE SURE TO CONNECT A LOAD, OTHERWISE THE DRAIN WILL ALWAYS SHOW 0V

    • or connect a 22k permanent resistor between drain of the load mosfet and positive

      • OK, so now both the mosfets are switching correctly with the second circuit.

        but 30V cannot appear across the load while the load mosfet is OFF.

        check the voltage across gate and source of the load mosfet when BC546 is ON, if it's zero then the voltage across the load should be also zero.

        48V motor can be operated with a 54V no problem, but not above this.

        for current control use a 5 ohm in series with the battery positive….but according to the calculations this needs to be rated at 500 watts so that may require it to be built using a 2mm iron wire wound over a ceramic former…..keep winding and checking the resistance until you see 5 ohms on the meter.

66. when BC546 is ON, the load mosfet will be OFF, and then the drain of load mosfet will have 56V or whatever is applied from the panel and this voltage will reach the battery side mosfet to switch it ON.

68. I'll try to do it tomorrow

    • It's been updated, please see the second diagram from top

70. OK so now BC546 is switching ON/OFF correctly, check the same by connecting the "loaD" mosfet

    12V zener at pin7 is fine don't change it.

    check the load mosfet and after that check the lower mosfet response.

    do not connect the previous LEDs (red/green) at the moment, but keep the BC546 base LED as it is.

    • when pin6 is zero the lower mosfet can not conduct technically.

      OK change the mosfet direction and check again…put drain side to solar panel and source side to battery.

      If still it doesn't work, then replace the mosfet with a TIP147 transistor and check again

      • sorry not TIP147, it should be TIP142

        • …correction:
          changing the lower mosfet direction will not produce 48V for the battery…so please don't do it.

          try a BJT such as TIP142 that will clarify the situation immediately

          • Don't try the TIP142 option yet.
            first try the folowing modification.

            remove the gate the lower mosfet and connect it with the DRAIN of the load mosfet.

            But make sure that you change the gate 10 ohms with a 10K resistor…and connect a 12V zener across source and gate of the lower mosfet (anode to source)

            • this will definitely help the lower mosfet to switch ON fully while the load mosfet is switched OFF…and vice versa

72. OK that means your opamp is working fine.

    now connect the BC546 resistor with the anode and connect an LED in series with this resistor (cathode to base of BC546 and anode to resistor)….don't connect anything else at the moment.

    now again test the response of this LED by moving the preset

74. connect a 1k from anode to ground and check again, this will help to sink the 3.5 V that you are getting at the anode of pin6 zener.

    • disconnect everything from the pin6 zener anode….disconnect LEDs, BC546 base resistor, and mosfet 10 ohm…and now check the voltage across anode and ground while moving the preset, check at the cathode also

76. In the last circuit use an approximately 3 ohm 10 watt resistor for R1, and a BIG heatsink for the transistor otherwise the transistor will burn.

    the panel should be able to provide at least 12 amps to the system otherwise the battery will not charge properly

    if load is connected then the power from the panel will get divided to load and the battery…

78. increase the green LED resistor to 10K and check the response again.

    I have a updated a simple circuit at the end of the article, you can try it, this will allow you to access the solar power during day time and battery during night time.

    R1 will depend on the battery AH and need to be calculate accordingly

80. which LED do you see is ON after connecting the supply from the panel side?

    Green LED ON will allow the load mosfet to switch ON and the lower mosfet to switch OFF….RED LED ON will do the opposite

    • ..make sure to connect pin4 of the IC as indicated in the diagram.

    • If green is ON, then the base of BC546 will be zero.

      confirm this first with a multimeter across base of BC546 and ground.

      if base of BC546 is zero then mosfet gate should naturally have 12V…so it has to conduct.

      check the voltage across mosfet gate and source

      these will clarify everything

      with your 48V batt is connected 60V input will have no bad effect on the relay…will do.

      • yes relay will provide you with the full 56V voltage for the batt

      • How's that possible? if green is ON means pin6 is zero, if pin6 is zero then from where the 0.7V get to the base?

        connect another LED in series with the base of the BC546 (anode to 1K cathode to base)

        and adjust preset again to force ON/OFF this LED,

        now no need of putting the supply at the battery side because pin4 of the IC can access the ground from any side of the lower mosfet…so you can continue with the existing supply from the panel side.

      • the zener diode at pin6 was put to block this small leakage voltage so there should be no voltage at all at zener anode or may be the preset is not properly adjusted, or may be zener diode is wrongly connected.

        please check all these issues…check voltage at pin6 and at zener anode

        I had also suggested to connect an LED in series with BC546 base, that will instantly enable you to see whether the BC546 is switching or not

        • disconnect the BC546 and the mosfet gate from the anode of the zener and check the volatges again at this point.

          if cathode is showing 2.6V with respect to ground then the anode cannot show 3.5V, because the 3V zener will block the 2.6V…check again after removing the above mentioned connection from the anode.

          • the LED will provide you the required indications…

            if green is ON red will be off, and vice versa.

            green ON should switch OFF BC546 and the lower mosfet… and switch ON Load mosfet.

            • sorry when red led is ON …the load will be OFF, because red ON means battery is low….

              when green is ON then load will also be ON….green means battery is OK

            • when green is ON, anode of the pin6 zener should be zero with respect to ground.

82. you can use a 100k preset in place of Rx, and adjust it for setting the lower cut off, as previously explained

    • The mosfets will start functioning when the supply is connected from the panel side,

      after the 10k preset setting is completed from the battery side supply, connect the supply from the panel side and check all the functions

84. please check its datasheet to get a confirmed idea…

86. I have updated the diagram with all the required corrections, as far as possible.

    please do it as per the new modifications….make sure you change all that's been updated in the updated diagram.

88. Subhasish, did you set the 10k preset as per the above suggestion?

    It needs to be done by applying variable supply from the battery side, NOT from the solar panel side. Unless you do this you won't be able to set it correctly.

    make the second or the third circuit from the following link if you are not able follow the above circuit.

    https://homemade-circuits.com/2011/12/how-to-make-simple-low-battery-voltage.html

    • BC547 is for switching OFF the load when battery volatge goes below the lower threshold

      yes load and charging can be implemented together.

      circuit is not practically tested, but if I were to make it I would do it without failing because I would know how to troubleshoot the small errors, if at all..

      • if you use a relay instead of the transistors, the same circuit can become extremely easy with a relay

      • I have updated the relay version at the bottom of the article, you can check it out

90. when you rotate the preset as soon as pin2 voltage goes below pin3 voltage the output (pin6) will switch the LEDs from green to red…

    pin3 is fixed at the shown reference 4.7 Volts with the help of the zener…so while adjusting the preset the voltage at pin2 will go below this reference 4.7V at some point…as soon as this happens pin6 can be expected to become high shutting of green LED and switching ON red LED.

92. a 12V zener will do

94. the voltage should be applied from the battery side…not from the panel side.

    While setting up the circuit the input should be applied from the battery side through a variable power supply, please read the previous instructions again.

    and you don't have to monitor any voltage, just monitor the LED switching as per the suggested procedures.

96. Subhasish, please read the previous instruction carefully….I suggested not to connect the load while adjusting the presets…here "load" refers to the battery…so do not connect the battery during the setting procedure, once the thresholds are set after that you can practically verify the results by attaching a discharged battery.

    you can use a 1 watt zener diode at pin7 of the IC.

98. sure, please feel free to comment if you have further problems…

    • 48 v 200 amp. Need to charge the wind turbine charge control circuit to charge the gel battery. mosfet control. when the battery is charging, the gears are connected to a separate load circuit. I would be glad if you help. Yours truly.

      • Please specify your exact requirements, I’ll try to help!

100. connect a 3V zener diode at pin6 and connect the LEDs after the zener…as done in this circuit and then check the response again:

     https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/07/make-6v-4ah-automatic-battery-charger.html

102. Subhasish,

     Please do it in the following way:

     Initially keep the 22K perset disconnected from pin6 of the IC.

     do not connect any load or the solar panel.

     now feed 56V from the battery side through variable power supply unit.

     next gently adjust the 10k preset such that the green LED just lights up.

     this sets the high charge cut off for the circuit.

     Now reduce the voltage from 56 to 44V, connect the 22K link and adjust it such that the green LED shuts off and the red LED lights up.

     that's all the circuit is all set.

     if the 22k preset does not work replace it with a 100k preset or a 220K.

104. Woah!!! that is so soo nice of you. I'll try to make the circuit ASA. meanwhile you canhelp me understand the physics of this circuit. I presume by seeing the circuit that it is in a comparator topology with two comparators; one for dropout voltage and other for upper thresh-hold.

     You can help me understand the circuit more thoroughly as you have done in various different circuits. 🙂

     Regards,
     Nadia

     • Thanks, I have updated the setting up procedure at the end of the article, you can check it out.

       The zeners at the base of the transistor can be replaced with LEDs for getting a visual indication of the proceedings, the polarity of the LEDs will be exactly opposite to the shown zener diode symbols.

     • well the circuit worked like charm. the feedback resistance for the required un-marking of relay was around 6.3 M ohm. but there is a glitch i must say, the buzzer starts at 46 v and stops at 44 volts. it must buzz below 46. but nevertheless it is good overall. thanks 🙂

     • thanks Nadia, I am glad to know it helped.

       however the buzzer is supposed to start at 46V and stop at 48V (full charge) right?

       I assumed you wanted to say this.

       Anyway, for initiating the buzzer at lower voltages you can set the associated 10K preset (bottom opamp) accordingly so that the buzzer starts at 44V or at any other desired lower threshold..

106. that would be soo kind of you 🙂

     • I have updated the required circuit in the above article, please check it out

108. Hello there,

     It is requested to please help me design a circuit for 48 volts rectifier/charger to operate a buzzer on its failure, with a variable to adjust the dropout voltage. Circuit should mark the relay and sound the buzzer as soon as the charger voltage drops to 47 or 46 volts and it should unmark the relay and stops the sounding relay as soon as the voltage returns to 48 volts.

     I know it is not a complex one, I have seen a circuit designed by you that is similar to my requirements, but a little tweaking is required i guess.

     https://homemade-circuits.com/2014/04/48v-solar-battery-charger-circuit-with.html

     your help in this regard is very appreciable

     Thanks,
     nadia

     • Hello nadia,

       you can try the first circuit from the following article:

       https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/08/make-this-48v-automatic-battery-charger.html

       for the buzzer you can include a BC546 transistor with its base connected to the mosfet drain via a 10k resistor, emitter to ground and the relay across the positive supply and the collector of this transistor, the relay should be 48V rated as per the supply volatile.

     • Hello Swagatam,

       I have read the thread you mentioned above, But my request here is that i need the buzzer to activate when the battery level reaches to 46v or 47v (adjustable) and it should deactivate the buzzer when the battery level regains its voltage to 48v.

       can you help me in this regard please?

       a detailed circuit would be v much appreciable pleassse

       Regards,
       nadia

     • Moreover load in around 10A and battery is 100AH

     • also load disconnection is not in the scope of my requirement. which makes it a bit easier i guess :/

       regards,
       nadia

     • Hello Nadia, I'll try to do it soon….and let you know, keep in touch in the meantime.

110. Hi Swagatam,

     Please let me know what do I need to change in the above circuit to make it working for 24V (2 nos of 12 v @ 150AH) batteries.

     Thanks for the circuit.

     Regards
     Gopal

     • Hi Gopal,

       You won't have to change anything in the circuit, you can use it as given.

       the supply pin resistor/zener can be eliminated if the opamps from LM324 are used instead of IC 741

112. Hi Swagatam,

     Yes i am testing with 48V battery and before connecting Solar input (2 units of 185W, 24i did make sure that the comparator output (and also LED) changes its state when 10K POT is adjusted. Doing so confirms me that at least comparator circuit it working fine, isn't it?

     After that i connect the MOSFET. But i have found one interesting thing which i have reconfirmed with atleast several new MOSFET. The MOSFET is conducting and its state becomes 'ON' even if i do not connected 'gate' to the circuit. I have reconfirmed this problem even with several new MOSFET. This is very surprising which should not have been the case. Furthermore once this happens then i think MOSFET are getting damaged one after another.

     I am stuck now and wondering if this cirucuit has really been built and test by anyone in this forum. Please advise me further.

     Deepak

     • Hi Deepak,

       It seems to be a different issue, not related with the circuit.

       Because if the opamp output LED is showing the correct response means the circuit is performing correctly.

       The mosfet could be blowing off due a static electricity, this could happen even with a bare touch of finger on the gate, although I have never faced this problem while handling mosfets.

       If you want to get away from all this mess, then I would recommend you to convert the output stage wth BJTs or with a relay…eliminate the mosfets completely from the circuit and you won't have any such problems.

     • I'll update the article with a BJT circuit soon…

114. Hi Swagatam,

     One more thing. Can i use IRFZ44N instead of IRF540 because i have about dozen of new IRFZ44N in my inventory and i want to use for this circuit if it is ok. Datasheet of both Mosfet seems almost same with only difference is in voltage rating. Please advise. thanks.

     Deepak

     • For testing sake try a BJT, for example a TIP122 in place of the fet and see the response for the same. however TIP122 can tolerate only 2amp max, so use a smaller battery for the experiment.

       also connect an LED in series with its base resistor, this will give an indication of the switching action accurately.

       mosfets can be tried later on.

       also do not connect the solar panel or any other supply at the input….just connect the battery and check the response of the base LED.

       after this you may go ahead with the input supply and proceed with further testings

116. Hi Swagatam,

     Sorry it is not working even after placing 1K resistor across G-S. I have fried almost a dozen of FET playing with circuit but to no success. Please advice me further as this circuit is bothering me a lot. Thank you.

     Deepak

     • Hi Deepak,

       an fet will fry only if its voltage and amp specs are exceeded beyond the tolerable limits.

       I cannot see any possibility in the diagram for this, as all have been taken care of.

       The gate and the opamp supply pin is clamped with 12V zener diodes.

       the drain is hopefully not getting loaded above the rated current by the battery in your design.

       so there's no way the fet can get damaged.

       I hope you are testing it with a battery connected, otherwise the IC will not get activated and will provided wrong results….so a battery is a must for the initialization of the circuit.

118. Hi Swagatam,

     I built charge control section of this circuit but somehow it is not working. My findings are:

     1. MOSFET IRF 540 remains 'ON' always.
     2. when 10K POT is varied the output of the comparater A3 changes but this change has no effect on state of MOSFET IRF540.
     3. Tried with 3 new MOSFET but the result is same.

     My guess is comparater voltage output is not completely '0' when its state changes to 'OFF' which is very important for MOSFET to function as a switch. I may be wrong. Please suggest me what else could be wrong. Thank you.

     Best regards,
     Deepak

     • Hi Deepak,

       Try connecting a 1K resistor across the gate and source of the fet and check the response.

       If it still doesn't work we may have to think about using a BJT stage between them.

120. hi swagatam sir
     this is srinivas
     what are the value of A1,A2 conected diodes

     thanks

     • You can use 1N4148 for the diodes, 1N4007 will also work

122. hi swagatam sir
     this is srinivas
     can i use this circuit for 12 volts 300ah battery if any changes please tell me sir
     thanks & regards

     • Hi Srinivas

       yes you can use it, just upgrade the mosfet for handling upto 50amps

       for 12V battery the 22k resistors may be changed to 1k

124. Hi Swagatam,

     Thanks for Solar charge controller circuit. The circuit appears to be little different than what i had requested. Let me reiterate the requirement again.

     1. Solar panel should continue charging battery not beyond 56 V.
     2. In the event of battery discharge, the charging process should resume again only when it reaches 48V. In other words hysteresis should be maintained.
     3. Battery should continue supplying power to load when battery voltage remains in between 42 – 56V. When battery voltage reaches 42V (due to battery discharge) the load should be disconnected from battery supply. Once the load is disconnected, it should remain disconnected till the battery voltage reaches minimum 48 V during charging process.

     Please confirm if the circuit works as above.

     Best regards,
     Deepak

     • Hi Deepak,
       I'll update the modifications soon.