The replacement frequency of photovoltaic street light controllers is influenced by various factors:
1、 Product Quality
Component quality
High quality components such as capacitors, resistors, and chips can ensure stable performance of the controller. For example, using high-quality electrolytic capacitors can withstand higher temperature and voltage changes, reducing controller failures caused by capacitor bulging and leakage. Controllers from some major brands may use industrial grade components, which can have a lifespan of several years or even over a decade. In contrast, controllers using low-quality components may experience malfunctions within 1-2 years.
Chips are the core components of controllers, and good chips have better processing capabilities and stability. High end chips can more accurately control the charging and discharging process of photovoltaic cells, precisely adjust the on/off time of street lamps, and effectively prevent overcharging, overdischarging, and other situations, thereby extending the service life of the controller.
manufacturing process
Advanced production technology can ensure that the internal circuit connections of the controller are firm and the solder joints are full. For example, manufacturers using automated welding equipment produce controller circuit boards with higher welding quality, which can reduce issues such as virtual soldering and desoldering. These controllers manufactured with high-quality processes can work stably in harsh outdoor environments and reduce replacement frequency.
2、 Environmental factors
temperature
Extreme temperatures have a significant impact on the controller. In high temperature environments, the internal components of the controller will accelerate aging. For example, when the temperature exceeds the rated operating temperature of the component, the internal electron migration speed accelerates, which can lead to a decrease in the performance of the component, such as deformation of some plastic encapsulated components. In cold environments, the performance of the battery can also be affected, reducing the charging efficiency of the controller. If photovoltaic street lights are installed in desert areas, the daytime temperature in summer may reach 50-60 degrees Celsius, while in winter in cold northern regions, the temperature may drop to minus 20-30 degrees Celsius. These extreme temperatures will shorten the service life of the controller.
humidity
High humidity environments can easily cause the circuit boards inside the controller to become damp, leading to short circuits or corrosion. For example, in coastal areas or during the rainy season in the south, the humidity in the air is high, and the metal circuits and component pins inside the controller are prone to oxidation. Once the circuit is corroded, it can lead to signal transmission errors or circuit failures, increasing the frequency of controller replacement.
Dust and pollutants
Long term accumulation of dust can affect the heat dissipation performance of the controller. For example, in some areas with severe industrial pollution or areas with large dust, dust may cover the heat sink or circuit board of the controller. The heat cannot be dissipated in time, causing the internal temperature of the controller to be too high and damaging the components. In addition, some chemical pollutants may also corrode circuit boards and components.
3、 System matching and load situation
Photovoltaic module matching
The power of the controller needs to match the power of the photovoltaic module. If the power of the photovoltaic module is too high, exceeding the rated power of the controller, it will cause the controller to be frequently overloaded during the charging process. For example, a controller with a rated power of 100W is connected to a 150W photovoltaic module, and long-term overload operation can cause the electronic components of the controller to overheat, shortening its service life. On the contrary, if the power of the photovoltaic module is too low to fully charge the battery, it will frequently cause the battery to be under voltage and increase the risk of controller failure.
Load matching
The power and type of street lamp load also have an impact on the controller. If the power of the street lamp exceeds the load capacity of the controller, the controller will bear a significant current surge during the process of controlling the street lamp to turn on and off. For example, using a controller with a load capacity of 30W to connect a 50W street lamp, excessive current may damage the switching components inside the controller each time the street lamp lights up. Moreover, different types of lighting fixtures, such as LED lights, sodium lights, etc., have different starting characteristics and require different controllers. The starting current of LED lights is usually small, while sodium lights may generate large surge currents when starting, which requires the controller to withstand the corresponding current surge, otherwise frequent faults may occur.
4、 Maintenance situation
Regular inspection
Regularly inspecting the controller can promptly identify potential issues. For example, by checking the working parameters of the controller, such as charging current, discharging current, battery voltage, etc., it can be determined whether the controller is working properly. If problems such as abnormal charging current can be detected in a timely manner, measures can be taken when the problem is still relatively small, such as cleaning photovoltaic modules, checking circuit connections, etc., to avoid further deterioration of the problem and damage to the controller.
Cleaning and maintenance
Keeping the appearance and cooling components of the controller clean can effectively reduce the risk of malfunctions. Regularly clean the dust and debris on the surface of the controller to ensure good heat dissipation. For controllers installed in areas with harsh outdoor environments, appropriate protective measures such as installing protective enclosures and regular rust prevention treatment can also extend the service life of the controller.