Buddipole PowerMini USB User Manual

Copyright © 2018 Buddipole, Inc. All rights reserved.
 Phone: 503-591 8001  Email: info@buddipole.com
BUDDIPOLE
POWER
COMPACT PORTABLE DC POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
WITH BUILT IN SOLAR CONTROLLER
USER GUIDE
The Buddipole POWER mini is a unique, 12 VDC
pocket sized power control system particularly
suited for portable operations.
This highly integrated device incorporates the
functions of a solar charge controller, battery
management system, power monitoring device
and power distribution in a small, robust and
weather resistant package.
Despite its small size the unit handles a load
current of up to 35A and solar panels up to
150W output.
Built in monitoring provides you an instant view
of how well your battery is keeping up with the
demands of your radio.
For additional convenience a USB charger port is
provided to charge devices such as cell phones
or tablets.

Buddipole PowerMini USB Specifications

Battery

battery type	Lithium ion or Lead Acid
maximum battery input voltage	24 V DC
minimum battery input voltage	10V DC
maximum solar input voltage	24 V DC
maximum solar charge current	11 A
maximum charge voltage	12-15 V (user adjustable)

Power

maximum load current	35 A (continuous)
over voltage disconnect range	14 – 16 V (user adjustable)
low voltage disconnect range	10.5 – 13 V (user adjustable)

Ports & Interfaces

number of 12V DC output ports	2
DC power connectors	Anderson Powerpole® 45A
USB charger output connector	USB type A connector

Operating Environment

operating temperature range	0 – 40 degrees Celsius
reverse polarity protection	Battery and Solar Panel inputs
audible alarm	User settable enable, disable

Weight and Dimensions

overall size	4.5 (W) x 3.2 (D) x 1.3 (H) inches
size in mm	115 (W) x 82 (D) x 33 (H) mm
weight	6.2 oz (176g)

Summary

Getting Started

Product Overview

Describes the controls and power connections of the POWERmini USB.

Choice of Battery Type

Explains how to set up the POWERmini USB for different battery chemistries.

Solar Panel Input

Details the compatibility and usage guidelines for solar panels with the unit.

Power Connections

Illustrates and explains the input and output connectors and their color coding.

Powering Up

Outlines the startup sequence and initial battery checks performed by the unit.

Functions

Battery Settings

Explains how to configure charging and cutoff parameters for different battery types.

Output Control

Manages output to protect battery and radio from voltage/current extremes, including warnings, auto-shutdown, and overload protection.

Solar Control

Details the solar charge controller's operation, monitoring, and charging modes.

USB Charger

Details the 5V USB charge port, its compatibility with USB Battery Charging Specification 1.2, and current limits.

System Monitoring

Covers continuous monitoring of battery, solar input, charge status, and system performance metrics.

Restore Factory Defaults

Provides a step-by-step procedure to reset the unit to its original factory settings.

Operations

Menu Selection

Describes how to navigate between different pages (Status, System Report, Settings) using the front panel buttons.

Status Page

Details the information displayed on the Status page, including battery voltage, load current, and warnings.

System Report

Explains the System Report page, showing power-up time, solar power, and battery usage.

User Settings

Covers configuration of battery type, maximum charge voltage, auto-off, and audible alarms.

Threshold Voltages

Defines trip and reset voltage points for over-voltage and under-voltage conditions.

Changing User Settings

Provides instructions on how to enter edit mode and modify user parameters.

Technical Reference

Battery Types

Compares characteristics of Lithium Iron Phosphate, Lead Acid, and Lithium Polymer batteries.

Max Charge Voltage

Explains the importance and settings for maximum charge voltage to prevent battery damage.

Low Voltage Trip

Details setting the low voltage trip point for different battery types to prevent deep discharge.

Low Voltage Reset

Describes how to set the voltage threshold for automatically reconnecting the load after an LVT trip.

High Voltage Limit

Explains the high voltage limit to protect connected radio equipment from overvoltage.

Default Settings

Lists the factory default values for various parameters that can be adjusted.

Specifications

Battery Type

Lists supported battery types: Lithium ion or Lead Acid.

Maximum Battery Input Voltage

Specifies the maximum voltage the unit can accept from the battery source.

Minimum Battery Input Voltage

Specifies the minimum voltage required for the unit to operate.

Maximum Solar Input Voltage

Specifies the maximum voltage the unit can accept from the solar panel.

Maximum Load Current (total)

Defines the maximum continuous current the unit can supply to loads.

Maximum Solar Charge Current

Specifies the maximum current the solar panel can deliver for charging.

DC power connectors

Identifies the type of DC power connectors used by the unit.

USB charger output connector

Specifies the type of connector for the USB charging port.

USB charge maximum output current

Defines the maximum current the USB port can provide for charging devices.

Over voltage disconnect range

States the adjustable range for the over-voltage disconnect threshold.

Low voltage disconnect range

States the adjustable range for the low-voltage disconnect threshold.

Maximum Charge Voltage

States the adjustable range for the maximum battery charge voltage.

Audible alarm

Indicates whether the audible alarm function is settable.

Overall Size

Provides the physical dimensions of the unit.

Weight

States the weight of the POWERmini USB unit.

Operating Temperature Range

Specifies the acceptable temperature range for operation.