HI

Most likely becaue it could not handle the possible peak loads

PeterQ

l

Paul it is set up as a charger.

Some of these units have the ability to limit your load so you do not drain your battery too far, still others have the ability to track your state of Charger (SOC) over time. 

Often you will find two or three different versions, all using the same plastic case. On the other hand it may just not have been connected.

It will still work fine as a charger.

Paul, if you included your rig in your signature block like some of us do we would know what your van is. As you went to the Jayco service I assume it may be a Jayco. If it is then it would have been difficult to route the house supply through the load terminals. The Setec (or Centurion) power supplies have a distribution panel with fuses on the rear. It would not be practical to supply these fuses from the MorningStar controller load terminal.

If you did not receive a handbook with the controller then you can download the data sheet and operators manual from here -

aussie_paul wrote:

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Phil C wrote:

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The battery is the load folks. Connecting a "load" Only draws parallel current away from the battery charging.

Cheers

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 Thanks Phil...

Aussie Paul. 

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 No worries Paul, just an afterthought the battery acts as a capacitor storing energy for the final 12V circuits. Now before everyone jumps up and down about the capacitor comparison the solar regulator adds to the charging during operation (obviously daylight). 

I cant understand why there is a load terminal on board.

Safe travels

SnowT wrote:

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The Load is a Source of power from the battery that can be programmed to operate via a command from the Solar Regulator..

- Ie you can have a Light Programmed to operate for a set time via the Solar regulator..

Juergen

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 Thanks Snow, I should have read the manual... BUT all the other not so knowledgeable people like me would miss out...

Aussie Paul. 

Plendo wrote:

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Paul the power from the solar panels is DC, the voltage and current will vary depending on shading, and strength of sunlight.

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Thanks Dave, I did work that out this arvo with my multimeter..

Aussie Paul. 

aussie_paul wrote:

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Peter, it is a 2011 24' Sterling. Queen bed at front and the batteries and Prostar regulator are under the bed. I would have prefered the Prostar be up with all the other electrical stuff.

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 Paul, the controller and any other multi stage charger is best being mounted close to the battery. They charge better if there is less voltage drop in the cabling between the charger and the battery.

Using the load terminal is handy if it could be done but it will take a bit of doing in a Jayco. I use the load current meter function to check on the loadings of things as they are switched on. There is also a low voltage disconnect function associated in it to protect your battery when it gets discharged. (There is no load time switching with this regulator.)

Phil, I think you may have misinterpreted the "load" portion of the controller, yes for the charger part the battery is the load. In this case these terminals are used to control the supply of power from the battery to a separate load.