The 38898 consists of a Morningstar 15 A charge regulator that has been re-configured by Campbell Scientific and includes the mounting hardware to mount it to a 2.54 cm (1 in.) grid back panel. This charge controller is well suited for large power supplies, which includes an AGM battery (BP84 84 Ah 12 V Sealed Rechargeable Battery) and a large solar panel (SP370 370 W Solar Panel). As an additional benefit, Campbell Scientific provides full support of the SunSaver MPPT.
The 38898 uses maximum power point tracking. While the 38898 is capable of RS-232, Modbus, and USB communications, only RS-232 communication is supported through the hardware. Note: When reading parameters off the 38898 using a data logger, you must use the CPI/RS-232 port. This functionality does not work when using the control ports.
The 38898 offers the ability to select the battery type: gel, sealed, AGM, or flooded. To set the battery type, use a jumper and switch #1.
The 38898 offers programmable low voltage disconnect (LVD). From the manufacturer, the 38898 comes with an 11 V LVD when switch #2 is on and an 11.5 V LVD when switch #2 is off. At Campbell Scientific, we prioritize data over battery health and reconfigure the LVD to 8.5 V and the LVR to 10.0 V. Caution: Draining a battery below 11.5 V will shorten the life of the battery.
| Operational Temperature | -40° to +60°C |
| Storage Temperature | -55° to +100°C |
| Battery Voltage Range | 7 to 36 V (power out) |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 60 V |
| Quiescent Current | 35 mA |
| Certifications |
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| Dimensions |
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| Weight | 589.67 g (1.3 lb) |
Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CR1000X (retired) | The CR1000X is compatible in terms of communication. | |
| CR300 (retired) | The CR300 is compatible in terms of communication. | |
| CR310 | The CR310 is compatible in terms of communication. | |
| CR350 | The CR350 is compatible in terms of communication. | |
| CR6 | The CR6 is compatible in terms of communication. |
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 31276 | ||
| 31277 | ||
| BP12 | ||
| BP24 | ||
| BP7 | ||
| BP84 | ||
| SP10 | ||
| SP10R-L (retired) | ||
| SP20 | ||
| SP20R-L (retired) | ||
| SP370 | ||
| SP5-L |
The 38898 can be used to power any 12 V device. Refer to the Compatibility information on the web page regarding communication compatibility with data loggers.