OutBack Power's FLEXmax Extreme Charge Controller Joins Sealed Product Line

OutBack Power Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, today announced the general availability of a crucial link in its sealed power components series: the FLEXmax Extreme charge controller, the first truly outdoor-rated charge controller on the market. With the FLEXmax Extreme joining OutBack’s renowned FX-series sealed inverter/chargers and EnergyCell RE advanced maintenance-free batteries, effectively sealed systems can now be used to bring renewable energy power generation and storage to remote or inhospitable places where it was previously deemed unfeasible.
 
The FLEXmax Extreme makes it possible to design and build much more durable and independent renewable energy systems for field use in a range of industries and applications that depend on continuous site-generated power. These include radio, television and cell towers; military base and defense barracks operations; scientific research in remote laboratories and field bases; surveillance, monitoring and protection for security systems; mining and remote drilling work in the mining, oil and gas industries; and for power management equipment aboard marine vehicles. 
 
“The FLEXmax Extreme charge controller extends OutBack Power’s ability to make critical renewable energy accessible around the world, even in regions and industries that have never considered renewable energy possible,” said Phil Undercuffler, director of product management and strategy for OutBack Power. “Our solutions deliver reliable, independent and efficient clean energy to even the most extreme and remote locations.”
 
The unique qualities of the FLEXmax Extreme will also appeal to residential installers looking to incorporate advanced power conversion technologies. Michael Schwarz of Sunsation LLC in Hawaii says, “It would be great to have a sealed charge controller that is not only insect-proof, but also keeps out the salt-infused air. In many locations, we are experiencing salt built up on circuit boards, which creates water droplets under humid conditions. Corrosion is a big problem in Hawaii. A sealed charge controller will make the system much more reliable and would be the perfect partner to the OutBack FX inverter.”
 
The FLEXmax Extreme offers the following features:
 A sealed, passively cooled and fan-less design with a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 3R-rated enclosure that can be installed outdoors and withstand rain, ice and other harsh conditions;
Advanced circuit topology that reduces radio-frequency interference;
High-efficiency operation and low self-consumption of power, which improves on-site energy harvesting and contributes to lowered fuel consumption in generator-based or hybrid installations combining both renewable and conventional energy generation schemes;
Protective conformal coating to prevent corrosion;
Continuously dynamic maximum power point tracking (MPPT) operation to optimize solar power output;
An operating range of -40 to 60 degrees Celsius to accommodate a variety of environments and applications;
Ninety-eight percent conversion efficiency; and
A ground-agnostic design to support both positive and negative ground systems without requiring additional components. 
 
The FLEXmax Extreme joins Outback Power’s sealed components series, which includes EnergyCell RE valve-regulated lead-acid batteries designed for deep-cycling applications, and featuring low-profile terminals with threaded copper alloy inserts for reduced maintenance and increased safety. In environments that would typically destroy other inverter/chargers, OutBack Power’s sealed FX series are designed to withstand the worst with die-cast aluminum chassis, gaskets and O-ring seals, as well as protective conformal coating to prevent corrosion.
 
For more information:
FLEXmax Extreme Spec Sheet:  http://bit.ly/13jPs3L
OutBack Power on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/X6fQJl
OutBack Power on Twitter: http://bit.ly/WmhFhs
 
About OutBack Power Technologies
OutBack Power Technologies, a member of The Alpha Group, is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications. With an emphasis on product performance, OutBack has established itself as the product of choice in harsh environmental conditions and applications where product reliability is paramount. Whether the application is village microgrids in Africa, rural electrification projects in Latin America, remote off-grid cabins in Alaska or suburban homes in Southern California, OutBack Power Technologies has set the bar for delivering advanced power conversion electronics. For more information, please visit www.outbackpower.com.