Solinst offers an External Power Regulator Assembly, which allows the connection of a user-supplied external battery, AC power adaptor, AC battery charger, or solar panel. See Table 7-2 for power connection options.
Figure 7-1 External Power Regulator Assembly (#113534)
To connect wires to the External Power Regulator Assembly, press down on the white buttons above each connection, insert the wires, then release the buttons. You will require a small flat screwdriver to connect the External Power Regulator Assembly to the STS. The assembly is connected to the STS "Power" connection. (The red wire goes to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative.)
When connecting an external battery, AC power adaptor, or AC battery charger, the solar panel regulator must be removed from the assembly. To remove the wires, press the white buttons above each connection, while pulling the connector pins out.
To accommodate any external cables through the enclosure, the second NPT plug on the base of the enclosure will need to be removed (using an Allen Key), and a weathertight fitting, supplied by Solinst, threaded in its place.
| External Power Regulator Assembly Connections | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Mode | Battery Cable | Battery | Solar Controller | Solar Panel | AC Charger | Comments | |
| In | Out | ||||||
| Battery Only |  Internal (Solinst supplied), External or Custom |
Internal or External, 10- 16V battery, any type | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | Solinst recommends using a 12V, 12-30 AHr deep-cycle, rechargeable sealed lead-acid battery. (user supplied) If connecting an Internal battery, the Solinst supplied Internal Battery Cable can be used to connect directly to the STS (standard setup). Ensure the battery is rated for the temperatures you expect in the field. |
| AC Adaptor | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | AC Adaptor, 10-16VDC, ≥2.5A (can also be connected directly to the STS) | Not recommended unless connected to an uninterrupted power supply. Ensure the AC adaptor is rated for the temperatures you expect in the field. (user supplied) |
| AC Charger | Internal (Solinst supplied) |
Internal, 3-10Ahr sealed lead-acid battery | Not Used | Not Used | Not Used | Any 12V charger rated ≥2A for a lead acid battery | Ensure the AC charger is rated for the temperatures you expect in the field. (user supplied) |
| Solar Panel* (built-in regulator) (low power demands) | Internal (Solinst supplied) |
Internal, 5-12Ahr sealed lead-acid battery | Not Used | >5W, 13-14V, regulated | Not Used | >5W, 14-15V, regulated | Connect solar panel output to "Solar Controller - Out" or "AC Charger" depending on output voltage rating. Use for systems with a low reporting rate, i.e. <7 per week. |
| Solar Panel* (unregulated) and Solar Charger (low power demands) | Internal (Solinst supplied) |
Internal, 5-12Ahr sealed lead-acid battery | >1A or regulator supplied connected to the assembly | >5W, 16-35V, unregulated | Not Used | Open circuit voltage must be 16-35V. Use for systems with a low reporting rate, i.e. <7 per week. |
|
| Solar Panel* (unregulated) and Solar Charger (high power demands) | External | External, 20-80Ahr sealed leadacid, deep- cycle battery | >3A or regulator supplied connected to the assembly | >30W, 16-35V, unregulated | Not Used | Open circuit voltage must be 16-35V. Optional External Battery Cable available through Solinst. Use for systems with a high reporting rate, i.e. >2 per day. |
|
Table 7-2 Power Connection Options
*Solar Panel not supplied by Solinst.
