I asked the manufacturer a question (how much power it consumes and what EDCT is) about their controller and here is the response I got back. Thier web site is currently down (being moved to another ISP they say) but does resolve by name and IP's to the old host. I may pick one up to test it as it interests me too.
The email reply I recieved is below:
"suns10,
Thank you for your questions regarding the Charge-Max digital charge controller. The quiescent current (standby, waiting for AE/RE generator input from solar panels, wind/hydro turbine) is approximately 25 to 30 milliamps (.03 amps), or in a 12 volt system, about 1/3 watt. This represents the amount of power to turn the Green "Battery Active" LED indicator on and operate the internal CMOS timekeeping and watchdog circuits. The amount of power consumed by the unit is the same if the AE/RE input generator (solar panels, wind or hydro turbine, etc.) is active, other than to "light" the "Input Active" LED and the Charging/Diverting LEDs (about 20 additional milliamps). We use state-of-the-art semiconductor power devices for 97% throughput efficiency and special Schottky Barrier Diodes in the output sections for extremely high efficiencies in all of our digital products.
Regarding the EDCT charging methodology, we have a white-paper on the Web site, but it is down while they move to a different ISP. (www.boston-mountain.com) It should be back up in a week or two for you to look at. However, I can give you the "short version" as follows: The technology we use was originally developed by the Germans (really in the Netherlands), for rapidly charging industrial battery sets from wind generators. Most of the AE/RE PWM-type chargers you see on the market today are derived from old-time "grid-based" chargers (variable profile Constant Voltage, Constant Current). Although using microprocessors to controll the process, most try to "second-guess" the battery's condition over time. The assumption is that the input voltage will be fairly constant and that the charging current can be controlled as you would with a grid-based "battery charger". This approach doesn't optimize the energy created by your solar panels or wind/hydro generators, in that, the conditions are usually quite dynamic and you have to be able to fully utilize the energy available in real-time as efficiently as practicable.
The EDCT, on the other hand, uses a DSP approach that optimizes the rate-of-charge based on the amount of available voltage and current, in real-time. This is a process that uses fuzzy-logic in conjunction with the Charge-Booster that you see listed on the schematic that I sent you. So, rather than second guessing the battery's charge profile, the DSP module actually integrates the various input conditions, along with temperature measurements at the battery and in the unit's enclosure, and puts the battery(s) through a Charge Cycle, followed by a Rest & Test phase. The rate of discharge (settling time) is measured and recorded, and the charge is again applied until the DSP is satisfied that the battery(s) is fully charged (depends upon the Set Point adjustment). Then, after the batteries have been "topped off", the Charge-Max will automatically apply a periodic "pulsed trickle" to reduce sulphation. (Equalization Charges are done manually by rotating the Set Point control fully clockwise every 30 days, or as otherwise specified by the battery manufacturer.)
I hope that will help you better understand the process. I like the units in that they will operate with batteries as small as 200 AH, but can also drive banks up to 5000 AH. (Also, multiple units can be connected in parallel and share data with each other using the Sync Cable.) To take full advantange of the charging system, however, you would really need the Charge-Booster unit as well. It will optimize the charging process when your solar panels or wind/hydro generators are operating in less than ideal conditions. We offer the Charge-Boosters and Charge-Max controllers in 1500, 3000 & 6000 watt models for 12, 24, 32, 36, 48 & 120 VDC systems.
We are a contract manufacturer for the AE/RE/RV & Marine industry and put our weekly production overruns on eBay so you can get the extra units at well below Dealer Cost. We should have some more items to list tomorrow evening, but please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks!
Kindest regards,
John
BMM Tech Dept."
