Solar Charge Controller - Override?

[olsenn]

I recently purchased a Renogy 100W 12V Solar Suitcase (http://www.renogy-store.com/Renogy-100W-12V-Mono-Portable-Solar-Suitcase-p/kit-stcs100d.htm), which contains a VS1024N charge controller. As per the user manual provided on Renogy's website (above) it says that in order for the charge controller to begin sourcing current, it must first detect that it has been connected to a battery with at least 9V.

I was hoping to be able to feed this solar panel into a 12V-5V step-down converter for charging USB devices, and was wondering if anyone knows whether or not this limitation can be overridden in the controller, or alternatively, if it only needs to detect >9V when the controller is turned on?

[NiHaoMike]

It's a MPPT controller. Measure the voltage before the controller and you can attach a step down converter there.

[olsenn]

It's actually the VS1024BN (not the VS1024N) and a PWM controller (Not a MPPT one).

[mtdoc]

I suspect you'll need to use a battery - even if it's just a very small one.  The solar charge controllers I'm familiar with all require a voltage source to function.

BTW - the included charge controller is just a cheap knock off of a Steca PWM controller