Frequently Asked Question

PWM Diversion on the LOAD explained
Last Updated 4 years ago

*** NOTICE *** This function has some bugs and is scheduled to be fixed with a future firmware release...
*** USE AT YOUR OWN RISK *** NO SUPPORT AVAILABLE ***


PWM aka Pulse Width Modulation is a method to vary the output of the LOAD Circuit of the KID Charge Controller.
What this means in simple terms we can vary the output voltage thus the power from 0% to 100% of the battery voltage.
Of course 100% PWM is the same as just ON, some PWM schemes have the output being "pulsed" but so fast it appears to be just "ON" and other schemes just turn the output ON with no PWM.  Both schemes work.

The KID has 2 settings and here are the explanations of what they do. 
WIDTH is a voltage "window" used for diversion.

Example, 1 volt means we have 10 steps for % diversion as the KID uses 1/10 volt steps aka 0.1 volts per step.
This relates to 10% per step. A 2 volt WIDTH would have 20 of the 1/10 volt steps or 5% per step.

The OFFSET is where this "window" of diversion sits across the battery voltage and where is starts.

Example, if we have a say an ABSORB voltage at the moment at 14.5 volts, setting the OFFSET to -0.2 volts would have the LOAD output start diverting 0% at 14.2 volts, 10% at 14.3 volts and 20% at 14.4 volts.  As long as there is enough Solar Power to maintain the ABSORB setting of 14.5 volts everything works fine.

The OFFSET Table for -0.2 volts is below based on the above.
14.2v = 0%
14.3v = 10%
14.4v = 20%
14.5v = 30% -- Target voltage in this case ABSORB setting.
14.6v = 40%
14.7v = 50%
14.8v = 60%
14.9v = 70%
15.0v = 80%
15.1v = 90%
15.2v = 100% or just ON.

This table can shift up or down by 0.1 volt as the KID's accuracy for voltage measurement is only plus or minus 1/10th of a volt (0.1v).  Unless another charging source pushing the battery voltage above 14.5 volts this setup will divert up to 30% and that’s all.  Sliding the window down will divert more but may not leave enough to get the battery charged.

Now, the KID is going to hold the ABSORB voltage at 14.5 volts so we should not see diversion above this unless another charging source attempts to raise it above the KID's ABSORB setting of 14.5 volts.

If the KID is in FLOAT the diversion still is active and the OFFSET value will keep diverting .2 volts below the FLOAT setting until the KID goes RESTING.

PWM Diversion is tricky and best left to those with experience setting it up, each installation will require custom settings as there is no general setting that works for all.  Calling the support phone number will get you little or no additional information other than what is covered here.

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