Solar Controller, Lighting output settings

[yeoblade]

I have one of these cheap controllers spare and a panel, so I have been setting it up in the garden to power and control my pond pump and a light. These were previously mains powered but with power cost now I decided to make the change. YES I do have a battery connected , just not in this pic.
So I tried setting the light to operate on the 2 R/H terminals setting it to 2HRs , expecting it to turn on light at dusk for 2 hrs then off. But it is just on permanently.
Is it me or is it U/S

 

[st3v3]

Is there maybe another seting that says the output is on at night only?

 

[trevskoda]

Output is always on, you have to have a photo electric switch inline before the lamp.

 

[yeoblade]

Is there maybe another seting that says the output is on at night only?

No don't think so, it's very basic and only has minimal settings.
I'm now wondering if there was some capacitance keeping the small garden LED lighting on even though I've changed the settings. I have checked it now 20:00hr and it off now!, lets see if it turns on at dusk..............

 

[yeoblade]

Output is always on, you have to have a photo electric switch inline before the lamp.

Light output has a built in timer (see pic) and I believe it is triggered when the controller sees it is dusk by monitoring the PV input.
Timer has only one setting between 0 and 24 hrs

 

[trevskoda]

Light output has a built in timer (see pic) and I believe it is triggered when the controller sees it is dusk by monitoring the PV input.
Timer has only one setting between 0 and 24 hrs

Sorry, wrong specks on.

 

[1 Cup]

No that 3rd connection is constantly on when connected to battery. Good idea to use surplus / old parts in garden.

 

[yeoblade]

Found this description of how it is supposed to work:

'The light bulb feature on most solar charge controllers are usually called "load" or something similar. Typically it is designed for lighting applications. When the controller senses a charging current from your panel, it will turn the load off. Then, when it stops sensing power from your panel, it realizes that it must be dark outside, so it turns the load on. Usually you can also set the load to be on for 24 hours if you want'

After experimenting with mine it sort of works like this. In a cheap way!