
Modbus Slave ID
Modbus Register
Description
6082
Battery charging current (mA)
6083
Incoming supply voltage (mV) (solar or power supply)
6084
On-board thermistor temperature (
⁰
C)
* The Slave ID for the base board is set at the factory. This may be changed using the base board DIP switch settings.
6.3 Working with Solar Power
A reliable solar system requires careful planning and monitoring to size the components correctly. The recommendations
provided are for the DXM Controller system as an autonomous system.
Adding extra components increases the power requirements and likely requires increasing the solar system components.
Depending upon the geographical location, the size of the solar panel and battery may vary.
6.3.1 Setting the DXM Controller for Solar Power
By default, the DXM Controller is set from the factory to charge a backup battery from a line power source. Use the LCD
menu on the front of the DXM Controller to change the charging algorithm to solar power.
Go to System > Power Select. Change the Power to Solar.
Power Select
08:25:45
Power: [DC]
<Ent> Accept
<Back> Previous Menu
Change Power Select
For DXM devices without an LCD, adjust the I/O board Modbus register 6071. Set the register to 0 to select battery
charging from a solar panel, and set to 1 to select battery charging from incoming 12 to 30 V dc supply.
Here are a few DXM configuration tips to help minimize the power consumption (may not apply to all models).
•
If Ethernet is not being used, save up to 25% of the consumed power by disabling Ethernet. Set DIP switch 1 to
the ON position on the processor board then reboot.
•
Instead of powering external devices all the time, take advantage of the switched power mechanisms to turn off
devices when possible.
•
Minimize the number of cellular transactions and the amount of data pushed across the cellular modem.
6.3.2 Solar Components
The components of a solar system include the battery and the solar panel.
Battery
The DXM solar controller is designed to use a 12 V lead acid battery. The characteristics of a solar system require the
battery to be of a certain type. There are basically two types of lead acid batteries:
•
SLI batteries (Starting Lights Ignition) designed for quick bursts of energy, like starting engines
•
Deep Cycle batteries - greater long-term energy delivery. This is the best choice for a solar battery.
Since a solar system charges and discharges daily, a deep cycle battery is the best choice. There are different versions of a
lead acid battery: wet cell (flooded), gel cell, and an AGM (absorbed glass mat).
DXM100-Bx Wireless Controller Instruction Manual
www.bannerengineering.com - Tel: 763.544.3164
41