Specialty Concepts ASC - Manual (Page 18)

ASC Note 5 - A high voltage condition (over 14.5 volts*) with the solar charging terminated during
the day would indicate the controller is functional but the batteries are being over-charged by a
second charging source. Other charging sources should feature their own charge regulation.
ASC Note 6 - The "CHARGING" light can be on (bright to dim) at night if the panels are under even
very low levels of light (moonlight or street lights). The "CHARGING" light on brightly at night
could also indicate one of the following:
• The controller is miswired. See CONTROLLER MISWIRED (Help Note #10)
••
There is a blocking diode located within the solar panels or in the panel connection. This is
not a serious problem, but should be removed if possible.
••
The ASC is defective. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #12)
TEST: Disconnect the panel (ARRAY (+)), if the light goes off, then it may be possible that the
panel is receiving enough light for a slight charge, or a diode exists in the connection.
ASC Note 7 - The “CHARGING” light going on and off rapidly may indicate one of the following:
• A normal condition. When the battery is fully charged, and the array can provide a lot of
charge current, the controller can pulse on and off rapidly, particularly when there is
current being used by a load. This is a normal operating condition and is not a problem.
See OPERATION Section
• A bad battery (one that is unable to maintain a charge). See BATTERY PROBLEM Section
• A bad battery connection - See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #9).
TEST: Take a voltage reading at the battery with an accurate meter. If the voltage reading
stays steady while the “CHARGING” light on the ASC continues to go on and off, then
suspect a bad battery connection. If the voltage here also moves up and down rapidly,
this may indicate a normal condition or indicate the battery bank is bad or too small.
ASC Note 8 - The buzzing sound is caused by the controller switching on and off very rapidly
and indicates a bad battery connection. See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note
#9).
ASC Note 9 - The ASC may get warm during normal operation. If the unit gets too hot to touch,
consider it defective. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #12)