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TriStar MPPT 600V Operator’s Manual
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Operation
Battery State-of-Charge LED Indications
G
80% to 95% SOC
G / Y
60% to 80% SOC
Y
35% to 60% SOC
Y / R
0% to 35% SOC
R
battery is discharging
Refer to the Specifications (Section 9.0) for the State-of-Charge voltages.
Note that because these State-of-Charge LED displays are for all battery types and system de-
signs, they are only approximate indications of the battery charge state.
Ethernet Jack Indications
In addition to the SOC LEDs, two (2) small LEDs can be found on the Ethernet RJ-45 jack inside
the wiring box. These LEDs indicate the LAN/WAN network link and activity status as follows:
Condition
Yellow LED
Green LED
Network Connection OK
ON
OFF
Network Activity
ON
Blinking
Error
OFF
ON
4.5 Protections, Faults & Alarms
The TriStar MPPT 600V protections and automatic recovery are important features that ensure
the safe operation of the system. Additionally, the TriStar MPPT 600V features real-time self
diagnostics that report Fault and Alarm conditions as they occur.
Faults are events or conditions that require the TriStar MPPT 600V to cease operation. A Fault
usually occurs when a limit such as voltage, current, or temperature has been surpassed. Fault
conditions are indicated with unique LED sequences and are also displayed on a TriStar Meter,
and in MSView software.
Alarms are events or conditions that may require the TriStar MPPT 600V to modify operation.
Alarms are commonly used to alert the user that the controller is nearing a specific voltage,
current, or temperature limit. Alarm conditions are only displayed on a TriStar Meter, and in
MSView software.
Some basic fault and alarm conditions are listed below.
Protections
Solar Overload
The TriStar MPPT 600V will limit battery current to the
Maximum Battery Current
rating. See
Figure 9-1 - Battery Current vs. Array Voltage de-rating graph - in Section 9.0. An over-sized
power source will not operate at peak power. The power source wattage should be less than the
TriStar MPPT 600V
Nominal Maximum Input Power
rating for optimal performance.
Solar High Input Voltage
As the array open-circuit voltage approaches the 600 Volt maximum input voltage limit, solar
input current will be limited.
High Temperature
The TriStar MPPT 600V will limit the solar input current if the heatsink temperature exceeds safe
limits. Solar charge current will be tapered back (to 0 amps if needed) to reduce the heatsink
temperature.
Faults
Remote Temperature Sensor Failure (R / Y - G / Y)
If a fault in the RTS (such as a short circuit, open-circuit, loose terminal) occurs after the RTS has
been working, the LEDs will indicate a failure. However, if the controller is restarted with a failed
RTS, the controller may not detect that the RTS is connected, and the LEDs will not indicate a
problem. A TriStar meter or the PC software can be used to determine if an RTS is detected and
working properly.
