Schumacher 12V Solar Charge Controller, Black, SPC-7A, Plug-and-play, Compatible with Schumacher Solar Products

Original Review - June 2014 I used the Schumacher charge controller after having a disappointing experience with a competing model from battery tender. The battery tender model gave me a fast flashing yellow light that indicated that the charge controller was defective. Amazon gave me a full refund. I purchased two of the Shumacher controllers. The first one went to use right away and is excellent. Notice that it includes the connectors on the charger, the connectors are clearly labeled, and the charge allows for a Battery connection, solar panel connection, and a load connection. It also provides LED status lights to aid you in your diagnostics and panel placement (it tells you when you have a low and high power orientation to the sun). I have also purchased solar chargers from sun force (that I like, but not as much as this one). The sun force 7a model lasted two years, and then needed to be replaced. Updated Review June 24, 2014 The second charge controller was used with a 50w panel (the charge controller is rated to 100W). I plugged it into the panel with full sun and none of the lights on the charge controller were lit. Keeping it plugged in, I checked the wiring. The charge controller started to smoke, the smoke was coming from the opening where the wires exit the unit. I picked up the controller and it burned my hand. I unplugged all wires and amazon agreed to exchange it. Because I like the design, I am going to give it another try.

Ok I'm not sure I'm going to write this properly cause I'm not to knowledgeable in solar anything. All l know without this part there is no control on the fluctuating temperature. Yes it works in the shade but the temperature is no where near stable without this piece. YOU NEED THIS FOR SOLAR BATTERY CHARGER!!!!!!

Muy bueno

Many people complaint reverse polarity of the cables on the charge regulator but in fact it does NOT matter. The real culprit is the cable polarity of the solar panel. Cable is the combination of several wires. To explain, first we need to clarify: red wire does not mean that it must be positive, rather if it connects negative on the circuit it can be negative. On my unit all red wires connect to + on the charge regulator. Second same idea applies to the SAE connector, I call them black (black plastic) and silver (silver metal, the naked end) -- either one can be positive or negative depending on where it connects. That said, since the solar panel is energy giving, its cable polarity will determine the polarity of all the cables downstream. As many of us buying third party solar panels, we need to first use a multi meter to determine the cable polarity of the panel. Picture 1 shows positive voltage and picture 2 indicates negative voltage (minus sign under DC) when I reverse the leads. Picture 3 shows wires are properly labeled as positive vs negative. Second be sure when solar panel's SAE connects to the SAE of the charge regular, positive wire must attach to the positive in the regulator circuit. The SAE on my panel needs to flipflop so picture 3 also shows the new connections with blue wire connectors. To confirm if there is current going from the panel thru the regulator to the battery, a positive voltage should show on the multi meter when its leads are attached to "battery" SAE on the regulator. In this way the 12V battery will be properly charged.

I purchased this solar charger controller for a compatible product from the same company. It worked for 2 months then failed to operate and caused my car battery to totally discharge at the time in the middle of WINTER leaving me without a vehicle for a period. I subsequently returned the product to Amazon for a replacement which came in a few weeks. This time the controller did not appear to work properly and demonstrated similar characteristics i.e., the LEDs did not light and there was no current being provided to my car battery although the solar panel emitted over 15v when not connected and almost 13v when connected. No voltage was measured at the battery connections and when connected to the battery, no increase in the battery voltage observed after a significant amount of time. I was warned by other purchasers and I did't heed the warnings. Due to personal health issues and the Covid situation I failed to do anything about this until I could check it out agin in warmer Spring weather. Now Amazon will not allow me to return it for a GOOD replacement after sending me a defective item! My fault for not dealing with it at the time but extenuation circumstances.