Once the fixture and lamp are selected, the operating hours must be determined, resulting in the selection of a specific SEPCO™ load controller. The choice of operating hours is usually chosen by the customer, but the solar lighting professional needs to explain to the customer that unlike conventional electricity, the longer you operate the lamp, the higher cost the system will be. While it is customary when using conventional power to operate the lighting fixtures all night long, many times when asked specific questions about the anticipated lighting needs, it may be determined that the requirements for lighting can be reduced to less than all night.
Every SEPA™ power assembly contains the patented, LCU1, charge and load computer. This lighting computer unit houses all of the electronics for both the charge and load functions. The LCU1 controls the charge during the day by pulsing (Pulse Width Modulation – PWM) the battery to a full and even charge without ever overcharging. The LCU1 turns the light and fixture on at dusk and off at dawn, plus it monitors the battery at night. After several days of rain, if the battery becomes discharged, the LCU1 disconnects the light fixture to protect the battery from a deep discharge. At dawn, the LCU1 resets the battery disconnect so that the light fixture operates every night. To learn more about the LCU1 and its specific functions, please request SEPCO™ Publication SELS-LCU1: Rev. 396
DTD – Dusk to Dawn
A system which operates dusk to dawn (DTD) operates directly from the LCU1. This is the longest operating period any outdoor lighting system can have. Operating a lighting system from dusk to dawn is a variable number of hours depending on your latitude. When calculating your daily power consumption, use the longest night of the year. This can be anywhere from 12 hours near the equator, to 15 hours in the higher latitudes.
Remember, dusk to dawn is the longest time and uses the most power. Any other type of load control, which operates the fixture(s) less time, lowers the amount of daily power consumption, thus lowering the size of the solar panel assembly, the battery assembly, and the mounting structure, which reduces the system cost. In addition to the dusk to dawn LCU1 controller, there are 12 other types of load controls which add to or plug right into the LCU1.
DAT – Dusk Activated Timer
This is a dusk activated timer. What this means is that it turns the light on at dusk, and turns the light off after a certain set number of hours. The timer length of operation is easy to set by the user, and comes factory set if you order a particular time. Example: DAT6 is a timer set for 6 hours; DAT7.5 is a timer set for 7.5 hours, etc. The DAT operates the light for the same amount of hours all year. For example, a DAT7.5 is popular for signs and billboards. It would come on at dusk, which could be 5:00 pm in the winter, and go off 7.5 hours later, at 12:30 am. DAT’s are also popular with parks and recreation lighting applications, or other facilities that are not open all night, like factories, car lots, etc.
RTC – Real Time Clock
This is a seven day, six event programmable time clock. It is multiprocessor driven to allow you to set various clock times for on and off functions between dusk to dawn. Functions include: weekly settings of a light plan, special events, programmed functions, morning burns, and two or more lamps operating at different times. The clock is contained in a weather resistant ABS case with a clear cover over the LCD display, which uses easy to read ¼” digits and the clock is user friendly to program. The clock consumes less than 10 ma of energy and cannot lose time or the program setting unless disconnected from the system for over 14 days. The RTC plugs directly into the LCU1 and is housed in the battery box.
RRTC – Remote Real Time Clock
This is the same as above, but the timer is housed in a NEMA IV hinged door locking box with input and output terminals. This is usually specified when the power assembly is way up high on the pole, and the customer desires to change the lighting plan a few times each year to coincide with specific activities. The remote RTC is usually placed lower on the pole either near the ground level or at knee level or set at a short ladder height.
PIR – Passive Infra-Red Motion Detector
This is an extremely high quality passive infra-red motion detector. This is used for applications which turn the fixtures on and off from movement and body heat. The detector is remote mountable using our aluminum case. It is built to military and security specifications. The detector is capable of reliably sensing over 75’ away and angles up to 200° from the sensor. The sensor is used to operate one or a combination of fixtures. This sensor is great when the customer requires a large amount of light, but only when the lighted area is being used. This is also great for security and perimeter lighting and sensing. The PIR can be adjusted for pattern, sensitivity, and length of time for each operating cycle, from one minute to one hour. When sizing a system for PIR, the daily power consumption must be carefully calculated, accounting for the maximum burn hours anticipated. There is the possibility that the system may need to operate all night, if the zone remains occupied continuously.
OCS – Occupancy Sensor
The low profile, ceiling mounted occupancy sensor provides your choice of 360° patterns. The first is high density and covers 500 sq. ft. The second is extended range, up to 1200 sq. ft. The sensor can be set for 30 seconds to 30 minutes. The sensor has found wide spread usage for restrooms, mailbox clusters, bus shelters, and other applications where a reliable outdoor quality unit is desired to trigger single or multiple fixtures.
RAS – Remote Actuated Switch
The remote actuated switch contains a high current, gold contact, manual switch with a bat handle mounted into an outdoor J-Box with a cover. The switch is used to turn on and off outdoor or indoor lighting through the use of a remote manual switch. This can be used in conjunction with the dusk to dawn controller when the switch only works at night, or always on controller so the switch can operate the fixtures day or night. Great for applications that only require lighting power when switched on.
INT – Interval Timer
The interval timer contains a high quality outdoor momentary button which actuates an interval timer that operates the light for a specific period of time. It can be ordered for 10 seconds to 10 hours of time for each actuation. This is popular with remote rest rooms, barns, workshops, security applications, pedestrian ADA Button plus has found widespread usage for basketball courts, tennis, beach volleyball, etc. One push of the button operates the light and it turns itself off after a certain time thereafter. The button is mounted to a blank cover and is located in an outdoor weather resistant J-Box. The interval timer is plugged into the LUC1 in the battery box. The switch uses no current and can be wired with a small diameter twisted pair.
AOC – Always “ON” Controller
This is the standard controller for the SEPA Power Assemblies. It is “Always On” as is the case if the lighting is to be used in the daytime, or other switching combinations and devices are used, which may run 24 / 7. “Always On” means the load is always on to the low voltage disconnect, 24 hours per day. Many times this control function is used with the RTC or ETC options if the devices will be used to turn lights on during the day. Also popular for when canopy fixtures are used in interior spaces.
ETC – Electronic Time Computer
This is a totally programmable 365 day multiprocessor based timer. This is commonly used for school zone flashers, work shift programming, or any application where total calendar control is desired. The unit automatically shifts for daylight savings time and can be programmed from your PC. One ETC can also download the program into other ETC’s with the same program. A computer disk and hook up cabling is available.
TFC – Traffic Flasher Controller
This controller is in lighting systems which require the load to be flashed. The standard setting is to flash the load ½ second on and ½ second off, but other flash rates are available. The TFC can be configured to operate dusk to dawn, or always on for 24 hour operation, or when used in conjunction with an ETC or RTC for school zone flashers. It is also available to flash two fixtures, alternatively (wig-wag) for traffic control applications.
Chart C (Select your Load Controller, Quantity & estimated Illumination Schedule - Runtime)
Load Code
Load Controller Description
Location
Select Controller
Quantity
Illumination Schedule
(Run-time)
DTD
Dusk to dawn
Battery Box
Hrs
DAT(X)
Dusk activated timer starts at dusk, specify how many hours
Battery Box
Hrs
RTC
Real time clock, weekly clock setting, morning burns, two fixtures / different times
Battery Box
Hrs
RRTC
Remote NEMA IV box with above RTC timer for frequent settings
Remote Box
Hrs
PIR
Passive infra-red motion detector, mil. Spec., 5 patterns
J-Box
Hrs
OCS
Occupancy sensor
Ceiling J-Box
Hrs
RAS
Remote actuated switch, turning fixtures on and off from switch
J-Box
Hrs
INT
Interval timer, button switch which operates fixtures(s) for preset time
J-Box
Hrs
AOC
Always "ON" controller, for 24 hours per day or daytime load control
Battery Box
Hrs
ETC
Electronic time computer, programmable for 365 days of the year
Battery Box
Hrs
TFC
Traffic flasher controller, same as LCU1 except flashes the load
Battery Box
Hrs
SLT
Spring loaded timer, pole or wall mounted
J-Box
Hrs
RTU1
Receiver / Transmitter Unit (1 Mile)
Battery Box
Hrs
RTU10
Receiver / Transmitter Unit (10 Miles)
Battery Box
Hrs
CTT
Clicker to test monitor
Battery Box
Hrs
INV1
Inverter – Sine Wave <350 Watts, mounts in either the battery box or sub box
DTD – Dusk to Dawn
RTC – Real Time Clock
