SR868 Controller – Supplementary Instructions for South Africa

 

This solar controller has two parts - a display unit and a controller box. All the connections are made from controller box, and the settings are programmed from the display unit. The display unit has a blue background LCD display and displays when the electrical element is operating, when the pump is running and when freeze protection is in operation.

 

The controller comes with its own operating manual, and this is a supplement to make it easier to program for South Africans.

 

MAIN Functions

 

• Clock – 24 hour time display

• Water temperature – The display shows the temperature in the tank (geyser) and at the solar collector panel.

• Solar circulation pump – temperature difference controlled.

• When the temperature difference between the collector (hotter) and the tank (cooler) exceeds the switch-on temperature, the pump is started. This transfers hotter water from the collector panel to the tank. The temperature difference is adjustable from 2 deg C to 15 deg C. The default value is 10 deg C.

• When the temperature difference between the collector (hotter) and the tank (cooler) drops below the switch-off temperature, the pump is stopped. The temperature difference is adjustable from 0 deg C to 10 deg C. The default value is 5 deg C.

• Electrical element timing. The electrical booster can be set to run 3 times in a 24 hour period. If the tank temperature (T1) is 5 deg C less than the set temperature, the electrical element switches on until the set temperature is reached.

• Hot water circulation pump – This is used in large installations where there is a long hot water supply loop. This pump circulates hot water through the complete system. It runs for 3 minutes, then stops for 15 minutes. It can be programmed to run 3 times during the day.

• Instant circulation. It is possible to start the pump at any time. It will run for 3 minutes, then stop automatically

• Freeze protection. The controller has freeze protection which prevents damage to the collector panel and piping. When the temperature in the collector panel drops to a set temperature, the circulation pump will start. It will run until the temperature is 5 deg higher than the set temperature. This temperature can be set from 2 deg C to 15 deg C. If the tank temperature is lower than the switch-on freeze protection temperature after the pump has started, then the electrical element will switch on until the switch off freeze protect temperature is reached.

• On/Off button. After switching on the power, the controller starts in default mode. The tank temperature is displayed.

All the buttons are active and it is possible to change every setting.

Press the On/Off button to activate the pump circulation for 3 minutes. The pipe circulation icon is shown and the pump will run for 3 minutes.

Press the On/Off button for 3 seconds to turn the controller off. In this mode, only the time and tank temperature are displayed.

Press the On/Off button again to restart the controller.

 

• Clock button: Press the Clock button and the clock area will flash on the display.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the hour.

Press the Left and Right arrow buttons to set the minute.

The setting is confirmed when the clock area stops flashing.

• Timing heating button - This button is used to turn the electrical element on and off. The maximum element rating is 2kW. If your geyser uses a larger element, you will need to use a relay. This must be installed by an electrician to prevent any damage to the controller or geyser.

The electrical element can be programmed to turn on and off 3 times per day – Morning, Noon and Night.

If you want to bypass one setting, set the start and finish time to the same setting.

The default setting is :

Morning – On 04:00 Off 05:00

Noon – On 10:00 Off 10:00 (ie not working)

Night – On 17:00 Off 22:00

The controller has a built in memory, so you do not need to program it every day.

Press the Timing heating button.

The noon symbol and the ON will be displayed.

The hour area will flash.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the hour to start the electrical element.

Press the Left and Right arrow buttons to select the minute area of the clock.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the minute to start the electrical element.

Press the Timing heating button again.

The noon symbol and the OFF will be displayed.

The hour area will flash.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the hour to stop the electrical element.

Press the Left and Right arrow buttons to select the minute area of the clock.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the minute to stop the electrical element.

Press the Timing heating button again.

After setting the timing, press the Timing heating button to confirm the setting. 3 seconds later the controller confirms the setting and the current local time is displayed.

 

Repeat the settings for Morning and Night settings.

 

MANUAL HEATING OVERRIDE

Press the Timing heating button for 3 seconds. The element is started immediately. The HEAT symbol on the display is shown.

Press the Timing heating button again and the element is turned off immediately. The HEAT symbol on the display is not shown.

• Switch-on Temperature difference

Default Value = 10 deg C

Press the switch on temperature difference button. The display shows how much hotter than the tank the panel must be for the circulating pump to start.

Press the button again to increase the temperature difference by 1 deg C.

3 seconds after the last input, the controller confirms the setting. The tank temperature is then displayed on the screen again.

• Switch-off Temperature difference.

Default Value = 5 deg C

Press the switch-off temperature difference button. The display shows how much hotter than the tank the panel must be for the circulating pump to stop.

Press the button again to increase the temperature difference by 1 deg C.

3 seconds after the last input, the controller confirms the setting. The tank temperature is then displayed on the screen again.

• Temperature controlled circulation button. - Press the Temperature controlled circulation button to start the pump circulating.

The Water circulation icon is displayed.10 minutes later the pump will stop automatically. If you wish to stop the pump earlier, press the Temperature controlled circulation pump again.

• Timing cyc button - This button is used to turn the circulation pump on and off. Turning the pump on ensures equally heated water through the system.

The circulation pump can be programmed to turn on and off 3 times per day – Morning, Noon and Night.

If you want to bypass one setting, set the start and finish time to the same setting.

The default setting is :

Morning – On 06:00 Off 08:00

Noon – On 10:00 Off 10:00 ( ie not working)

Night – On 19:00 Off 21:00

The controller has a built in memory, so you do not need to program it every day.

Press the Timing cyc button.

The noon symbol and the ON will be displayed.

The hour area will flash.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the hour to start the electrical element.

Press the Left and Right arrow buttons to select the minute area of the clock.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the minute to start the electrical element.

Press the Timing cyc button again.

The noon symbol and the OFF will be displayed.

The hour area will flash.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the hour to stop the electrical element.

Press the Left and Right arrow buttons to select the minute area of the clock.

Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the minute to stop the electrical element.

Press the Timing cyc button again.

After setting the timing , press the Timing cyc button to confirm the setting. 3 seconds later the controller confirms the setting and the current local time is displayed.

 

Repeat the settings for Morning and Night settings.

 

• Display transfer button -This button allows you to see the actual temperature in the tank(T1), in the collector panel (T2) and in the circulation loop (T3). The default temperature shown is the tank. Press the button once to see T2 or twice to see T3. After 3 seconds it will return to display T1.

• Freeze Protect button -Press the freeze protect button. “—“ is displayed on the screen ( The default setting is off). Press the Up and Down arrow buttons to set the switch-on temperature of freeze protection. After 3 seconds, the system confirms the setting. To cancel the freeze protection, press the down arrow button until “—“ is displayed on the screen.

When the freeze protection is operating, the two symbols will be displayed – Circulation pump and a pipe between broken lines.

 

• Auto button -This button resets all the settings to the factory default settings. If you press this button, you will need to program your own settings again.

• Reset button -If the controller does not work, you will need to press the Reset button. This starts the controller program from the beginning again.