Solar Charge Controller – Morning Star

Morning Star – ProStar Solar Controller

Morningstar’s ProStar is the world’s leading mid-range solar controller for both professional and consumer applications. This second generation ProStar:

• Adds new features and protections using highly advanced technology
• Provides longer battery life and improved system performance
• Sets new standards for reliability and self-diagnostics

Standard Features:

• Versions available: 15 or 30 amp 12 / 24 or 48 volt negative or positive ground
• Estimated 15 year life
• PWM series battery charging (not shunt)
• 3-position battery select: gel, sealed or flooded
• Very accurate control and measurement
• Jumper to eliminate telecom noise
• Parallel for up to 300 amps
• Temperature compensation
• Tropicalization: conformal coating, stainlesssteel fasteners & anodized aluminum heat sink
• No switching or measurement in the grounded leg
• 100% solid state
• Very low voltage drops
• Current compensated low voltage disconnect (LVD)
• LED’s indicate battery status and faults
• Capable of 25% overloads
• Remote battery voltage sense terminals

Electronic Protections:

• Short-circuit — solar and load
• Overload — solar and load
• Reverse polarity
• Reverse current at night
• High voltage disconnect
• High temperature disconnect
• Lightning and transient surge protection
• Loads protected from voltage spikes
• Automatic recovery with all protections

Morning Star – SunLight Solar Controller

Morningstar’s advanced SunLight solar lighting controller combines the SunSaver design with a microcontroller for automatic lighting control functions.

This technology provides:

• Proven Reliability
• Precise Lighting Control
• PWM Battery Charging

Operation:

• Rotary digital switch to select among 10 lighting options (see back)
• Test button flashes red LED to confirm correct rotary switch selection
• Test button turns lights on for 5 minutes (in LVD limited to 3 times)
• LVD overrides lighting timer
• Sunrise overrides lighting timer
• Timer accuracy is within 2 seconds

Four Versions Available:

• 12 Volt: 10 and 20 amp ratings
• 24 Volt: 10 and 20 amp ratings

Features:

• Microcontroller digital accuracy
• Fully automatic operation
• Ten field adjustable lighting control options
• Special on/off/on functions
• Manual test capability
• LVD override protection
• Detects day and night using the PV array
• Suitable for all 12/24 Vdc lamps
• Sealed/Flooded battery select
• Temperature compensation
• Parallel with a SunSaver for 40 amps solar
• Includes SunSaver battery charging circuit

SunSaver MPPT

SOLAR CONTROLLER WITH MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING

Morningstar’s SunSaver MPPT solar controller with TrakStar Technology™ is an advanced maximum power point tracking (MPPT) battery charger for off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems. The controller features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energy harvest from the PV and also provides load control to prevent over discharge of the battery.

The SunSaver MPPT is well suited for both professional and consumer PV applications. Its charging process has been optimized for long battery life and improved system performance. This product is epoxy encapsulated for environmental protection, may be adjusted by the user via four settings switches or connection to a personal computer, and has an optional remote meter and battery temperature sensor.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Maximizes Energy Harvest
  Our TrakStar MPPT Technology features:
  • Peak efficiency of over 97%
  • Almost no power losses
  • Recognition of multiple power peaks during shading of mixed PV arrays
  • Excellent performance at low solar insolation levels
• Use of High Voltage Modules
  Enables the use of high voltage and thin film modules for off-grid battery charging.
• Converts 36v or 24v PV Arrays
  Provides a means to use up to a 36v PV array to charge either a 24v or 12v battery.
• Lower System Cost
  Less expensive than other MPPT controllers and is afforable in smaller PV systems up to 400Wp. Allows system costs to be reduced by down-sizing the PV array, using on-grid or thin film modules and decreasing cable sizes.
• Diversion Control Capability
  May be programmed to control charging using an auxiliary DC resistive load.
• Includes Load Control
  Automatically disconnects loads when the battery has been discharged to a low state of charge.
• Smaller Size
  Mechanical dimensions are less than other MPPT controllers, making it easier to install in equipment enclosures.
• Highly Reliable
  Efficient electronics, a conservative thermal design and tropicalization result in high reliability and long life.
• Fully Adjustable
  User selection via on-board switches or PC connection.
• Extensive Electronic Protections
  Fully protected against most system errors and faults.
• Longer Battery Life
  Efficient MPPT tracking and 4-stages charging increases battery life.
• More Information
  The status LED’s and optional meter provide extensive controller and system data.
• Data Logging
  Records key operating parameters of the PV system and includes 30 days of data logging.

TriStar MPPT

SOLAR CONTROLLER WITH MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING

Morningstar’s TriStar MPPT solar controller with TrakStar Technology™ is an advanced maximum power point tracking (MPPT) battery charger for off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems up to 3kW. The controller provides the industry’s highest peak efficiency of 99% and significantly less power loss compared to other MPPT controllers.

The TriStar MPPT features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energy harvest from the PV by rapidly finding the solar array peak power point with extremely fast sweeping of the entire I-V curve. This product is the first PV controller to include on-board Ethernet for a fully web-enabled interface and includes up to 200 days of data logging.

• Key Features and Benefits
  Maximizes Energy Harvest
  Our TrakStar MPPT Technology features:
  • Better peak power point tracking than other MPPT controllers
  • Very fast sweeping of the entire I-V curve
  • Recognition of multiple power points during shading or mixed PV arrays
  • Excellent performance at sunrise and low solar insolation levels
• Extremely High Reliability
  • Robust thermal design and no cooling fans
  • Parallel circuit design provides less stress and longer
  • life for electronic components
  • No mechanical relays
  • Extensive electronic protections including PV short
  • circuit protection
    Epoxy encapsulated inductors and conformally coated printed circuit boards
• Very High Efficiency
  • Peak efficiency of 99%
  • Proprietary tracking algorithm minimizes power losses
  • Low self-consumption
  • Continuous operation at full power to 45°C without need to de-rate
  • Selected electronic devices with higher ratings to minimize losses from heating
• Extensive Networking and Communications Capabilities
  Enables system monitoring, data logging and adjustability. Uses open standard MODBUS™ protocol and Morningstar’s
  MS View software.
  • Meterbus: communications between compatible Morningstar products
  • Serial RS-232: connection to a personal computer
  • EIA-485: communications between multiple devices on a bus
  • Ethernet: fully web-enabled interface to a local network or internet; view from a web browser or send email/text messages.
• Metering and Data Logging
  • Optional TriStar meter and remote meter provides detailed operating data, alarms and faults
  • Three LED’s display system status
  • Up to 200 days of data logging via meters or communications ports

Three-Function Solar Controller

TS 45 / TS 60

Morningstar’s TriStar Controller is a three-function controller that provides reliable solar battery charging, load control or diversion regulation. The controller operates in one of these
modes at a time and two or more controllers may be used to provide multiple functions.

The TriStar uses advanced technology and automated production to provide exciting new features at a competitive cost. The optional TriStar meter is the most sophisticated and informative controller meter on the market. The controller is UL listed and is designed for both solar home systems and professional applications.

Key Features and Benefits

• Highest Reliability
  Large heat sink and concervative design enables operating at full ratings to 60°C.
  No need to de-rate.
• More Power
  Ratings to 60A at 48VDC will handle solar arrays up to 4kW.
• Communications Capability
  RS-2312 connects to a personal computer for custom settings, data logging and remote monitoring and control.
• Fully Adjustable
  DIP switch provides user with a choice of 7 different digital presets and custom settings via RS-232.
• Extensive Electronic Protections
  Fully protected against reverse polarity, short circuit, overcurrent, high temperature and overvoltage.
• Simple Mechanical Interface
  Larger power terminals and conduit knockouts. Extra space for wire turns.
  Fits on power panels.
• Better Battery Charging
  Connecting battery sense wires and optional remote termperature sensor will improve control accuracy. Constant voltage series PWM algorithm increases battery capacity and life.
• More Information
  3 LED’s to indicate status, faults and alarms. Optional meter display extensive system and controller information, automatic self-test and reset capabilities. Meter connection via RJ11 phone jack.
• Easy to Reset
  Push button provides manual reset and stop/start battery equalization or load disconnect.
• Low Telecom Noise
  DIP switch setting will change PWM to “On-Off” battery charging.

TriStar MPPT 600V Controller

World-Class Performance
Morningstar is pleased to announce the introduction of the TriStar MPPT 600V (TS-MPPT-600V) controller. Our TriStar MPPT controller family commenced production in 2009 and has since become the world’s leading photovoltaic (PV) MPPT controller, operating in a myriad of off-grid industrial and residential installations around the globe.

The TS-MPPT-600V leverages our TrakStar MPPT technology and Morningstar’s 20 years of power electronics engineering excellence to deliver a PV controller with the widest PV
input operating voltage in the solar industry.

High-Value TS-MPPT-600V Benefits

• Delivers the industry’s best-in-class power efficiency
• Uses Morningstar’s patented 4-stage charging algorithm to optimize battery health
• Features extensive system networking, monitoring and communications
• Environmentally optimized and equipped with extensive electronic protections
• Offers superior lightning protection from nearby lightning-induced voltage/current spikes
• Engineered with a robust thermal and mechanical design to deliver the highest reliability and performance

Quality and Reliability

Morningstar’s products are built from the inside out to deliver more than twice the industry average operating life.

The TS-MPPT-600V delivers high reliability and excellent performance and features:

• Robust thermal, mechanical and electrical design.
• Extensive electronic protections.
• No moving parts.
• Epoxy encapsulated components.
• Conformally coated printed circuit boards.

Communications

Morningstar’s TriStar MPPT controllers are the only PV controllers to offer open communication protocols and true Ethernet-enabled functionality.

The TS-MPPT-600V uses reliable, pre-established industry standard open communication protocols and interfaces to help reduce operational costs and to increase integration efficiencies. As a result, there are neither proprietary network hardware nor software compatibility issues to resolve nor requirement for external gateways. This enables developers to use proven and readily available code to speed development time and and to decrease costs.

• Protocols: Supports MeterBus™, MODBUS™ RTU and MODBUS TCP/IP™, HTTP, SNMP v2 (for system networking and monitoring) and SMTP
• Communication Ports / Interfaces: Ethernet, EIA-485, RS-232 and MeterBus (for flexible communications)
• Data Logging

Parallel Operation

The TS-MPPT-600V was engineered to support parallel operation. Up to four TS-MPPT-600V controllers may be used in parallel to manage charging from a single solar or wind input. This enables the use of up to 15kWp of high voltage PV or wind for back up power during a grid outage.

Optimized Battery Health

Morningstar designed the TS-MPPT-600V’s battery charging process to deliver long battery life and excellent system performance.

Simplified Installation and Use

The TS-MPPT-600V controller is built for easy installation, set-up and use. Self-diagnostics and electronic error protections make installation easier and minimize the chances of installation errors and system faults. It is also equipped with 8 adjustable switches to make system set-up and configuration simple. The TS-MPPT-600V’s simplified installation and usability benefits include:

• Easy series installation.
• No combiners required.
• Wire cost savings may offset the higher cost of the controller.
• Supports the use of small wire diameter.
• Supports long wire runs.

Features:

• Wide array input voltage range: from battery voltage to 500 Vmp
• Maximum 60A continuous battery current
• Supports nominal 48 or 120 Vdc batteries
• Facilitates simple and cost-effective design and wiring and labor savings
• Enables use of existing high voltage PV for battery charging
• Passively cooled for high reliability
• Compact form factor
• Ethernet standard

TrakStar™ Technology

The TS-MPPT-600V features an advanced MPPT technology to harvest the maximum energy from the solar array’s peak power point under all operating conditions. This high-speed processing sweeping methodology enables the TS-MPPT-600V to sweep from the PV open circuit voltage (Voc) to the battery voltage faster than any other similar PV controller.

New installation grid-tie PV systems with battery back-up: