Sunforce 60125 50 Amp Pro Series Charge Controller

by Sunforce

Product Features

• Prevents overcharging of 12 Volt batteries
• PWM regulation with integrated temperature compensation for high performance; Boost/absorption/float pulse width modulation-regulation (series type)
• Choose between 5 load disconnect algorithms
• Built-in acoustic warnings and a low-voltage disconnect
• Full solid-state protection

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B002BETDAG
• Item model number: 60125
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,177 in Automotive (See Top 100 in Automotive)
  • #40 in Automotive > Tools & Equipment > Jump Starters, Battery Chargers & Portable Power > Renewable Energy > Energy Controllers

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sunforce 50 Amp Pro Series Charge Controller is ideal for protection of your solar panels and batteries. The deep discharge protection function of this controller has acoustic warnings and a built-in low-voltage disconnect that help prevent your batteries from overcharging. This product has temperature compensation and reverse polarity protection. Its PWM (pulse width modulation) charging functions include boost, float and absorption charging for more efficient solar power systems. The LCD display shows charge states in a clear bar-graph format. This product handles up to 750 watts of solar power.

Key Component of a Solar System Over 15 Watts

A charge controller is a very important feature of a solar system and must be used on all systems over 15 Watts. A charge controller protects your batteries from overcharge and discharge. Charge controllers are the maintenance free protection of your solar panel and batteries.

A charge controller monitors the battery’s state-of-charge to insure that when the battery needs change-current, it gets it, and also insures the battery isn’t overcharged. Connecting a solar panel to a battery without a regulator seriously risks damaging the battery and potentially causing a safety concern.

Charge controllers are rated based on the amount of amperage they can process from a solar array.

Product Description

The Sunforce 50 Amp Pro Series Charge Controller is ideal for protection of your solar panels and batteries. The deep discharge protection function of this controller has acoustic warnings and a built-in low-voltage disconnect that help prevent your batteries from overcharging. This product has temperature compensation and reverse polarity protection. Its PWM (pulse width modulation) charging functions include boost, float and absorption charging for more efficient solar power systems. The LCD display shows charge states in a clear bar-graph format. This product handles up to 750 watts of solar power.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mighty specs in small package, August 31, 2010

By 

xoanon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sunforce 60125 50 Amp Pro Series Charge Controller (Automotive)

I bought this unit for a small 4 panel (~30 amp max) system. I figured the 50 amp model would be a good derating margin. So far it seems to be working well (2 weeks). I have only 2 criticisms - the LCD menu system is quite cryptic, symbols and dashes that you have to interpret according to the manual (RTFM) - I guess it's inherently multilingual, like universal road signs. During normal operation it alternately displays the battery state of charge (relative scale, not volts) and whether the battery is charging, a nice feature. The other thing is that for a 50 amp unit, it is bit physically anemic. I would like to see an extruded aluminum enclosure for something like this, instead of a plastic case, and with heftier connectors. The connectors seem suited for #12 wire at best, anything bigger would be the tail wagging the dog, although as large as #8 is recommended depending upon the circumstances. I used #12 stranded for only a short run (~ 6") then graduated to larger wire. The unit defaults to Gel Cell mode instead of Liquid Electrolyte (liquid is probably more common, since the deep-cycle batteries you'll likely use are liquid) so that is the first setting to check. You might want to turn off the buzzer too, since it will beep when the battery changes voltage (likely to happen anytime you turn on a load!). These settings are saved to Flash so you can shut it off without losing them.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunforce 50 Amp Controller-so far so good.but used only 1 wk, July 1, 2011

By 

Vennie La Rue - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunforce 60125 50 Amp Pro Series Charge Controller (Automotive)

I bought the Sunforhce 50 amp Controller about 2 years ago, but just now installed it on a mini solar station (9 panel 135 watt system. I agree totally with the first reviewer...seems functional, but have not tried it for very long (one week). The cheesy plastic casing looks like it would fall apart if banged, so u have to be careful with it. It has little tiny screws that hold your big fat wire. Also, the unit looks so fragile and one does not think that 50 amps could possibly flow through it without melting it...but, it seems to hold up well (however, time will tell).

The instruction sheet is printed in 6 pt type so wear your reading glasses. And, it is very esoteric so you have to spend a little extra time re-reading and practicing how to use the menu, which is very cryptic...but with a little effort, solvable. One of their competitors, "Morningstar", is very reputable and has a very nice rugged looking unit for half the price, but also half the amps (25 amp unit).