22
T R I S T A R I N S T A L L A T I O N
23
M O R N I N G S T A R C O R P O R A T I O N
2.0
AVERTISSEMENT: Risque d’incendie.
Si non Capteur de température distant (RTS) est connecté, utilisez le
TriStar-PWM moins de 3m (10 pi) de les batteries. Compensation de la tempéra-
ture interne sera utilisée si la RTS n’est pas connecté. Utilisation de la RTS est
fortement recommandé.
NOTE: Never place the temperature sensor inside a battery cell. Both the
RTS and the battery will be damaged.
REMARQUE : Ne placez jamais la sonde de température dans un élément
de batterie. Le RTS et la batterie seraient endommagés.
Step 5 - Battery Voltage Sense Connection
A battery voltage sense connection is not required to operate your TriStar
controller, but it is recommended for best performance in all charging and load
control modes. The battery voltage sense wires carry almost no current, so
the voltage sense input avoids the large voltage drops that can occur in the
battery power conductors. The voltage sense connection allows the controller
to measure the actual battery voltage under all conditions.
In addition, if a TriStar meter will be added to the controller, the battery voltage
sense will ensure that the voltage and diagnostic displays are
very accurate.
The two battery voltage sense wires are connected to the TriStar at the
2-position terminal located between the push-button and the positive (+)
terminal lug. See the diagram below:
+
+ –
+
–
–
Battery
+
–
Figure 2.11 - Step 5 Battery Sense Connection
The two voltage sense wires (not provided with the controller) should be cut to
length as required to connect the battery to the voltage sense terminal. The
wire size can be from 1.0 to 0.25 mm
2
(16 to 24 AWG). It is recom mended to
twist the wires together every few feet (twisted pair), but this is not required.
The voltage sense wires may be pulled through the conduit with the power
wires.
Fuse the positive (+) voltage sense wire as close to the battery as possible.
Size the fuse based on wire ampacity - a 1A fuse can be used for #24 wire.
Tighten the connector screws with 0.56 Nm (5 in-lb) of torque.
The maximum length allowed for each battery voltage sense wire is
30 meters (98 ft).
The battery sense terminal has polarity. Be careful to connect the battery
positive (+) terminal to the voltage sense positive (+) terminal. No damage will
occur if the polarity is reversed, but many functions of the controller can be
affected. If a TriStar meter is installed, check the “TriStar Settings” to confirm
the Voltage Sense and the RTS (if installed) are both present and “seen” by
the controller. The PC software can also be used to confirm the voltage sense
is working correctly.
Do not connect the voltage sense wires to the RTS terminal. This may cause
an alarm. Review the installation diagram for the correct battery voltage sense
connection.
Note that the battery voltage sense connection does not power (start-up)
the controller.
Step 6 - System Wiring and Power-Up
To comply with the NEC, the TriStar must be installed using wiring methods in
accordance with the latest edition of the National Electric Code, NFPA 70.
Wire Size
The four large power terminals are sized for 35 - 2.5 mm
2
(2-14 AWG) wire.
The terminals are rated for copper and aluminum conductors.
Good system design generally requires large conductor wires for the solar
and battery connections that limit voltage drop losses to 3% or less. The
following table provides the maximum wire length (1-way distance / 2-wire
pair) for connecting the battery, solar array or load to the TriStar with a
maximum 3% voltage drop.
Wire Size
60 Amps
45 Amps
30 Amps
15 Amps
95 mm
2
12.86 m
17.15 m
25.72 m
51.44 m
(3/0 AWG)
(42.2 ft.)
(56.3 ft.)
(84.4 ft.)
(168.8 ft.)
70 mm
2
10.19 m
13.58 m
20.38 m
40.75 m
(2/0 AWG)
(33.4 ft.)
(44.6 ft.)
(66.8 ft.)
(133.7 ft.)
50 mm
2
8.10 m
10.80 m
16.21 m
32.41 m
(1/0 AWG)
(26.6 ft.)
(35.4 ft.)
(53.1 ft.)
(106.3 ft.)
35 mm
2
5.12 m
6.83 m
10.24 m
20.48 m
(2 AWG)
(16.8 ft.)
(22.4 ft.)
(33.6 ft.)
(67.2 ft.)
25 mm
2
3.21 m
4.27 m
6.41 m
12.82 m
(4 AWG)
(10.5 ft.)
(14.0 ft.)
(21.0 ft.)
(42.1 ft.)
16 mm2
2.02 m
2.69 m
4.04 m
8.07 m
(6 AWG)
(6.6 ft.)
(8.8 ft.)
(13.2 ft.)
(26.5 ft.)
10 mm
2
1.27 m
1.70 m
2.54 m
5.09 m
(8 AWG)
(4.2 ft.)
(5.6 ft.)
(8.3 ft.)
(16.7 ft.)
6 mm
2
1.06 m
1.60 m
3.19 m
(10 AWG)
(3.5 ft.)
(5.2 ft.)
(10.5 ft.)
4 mm
2
1.00 m
2.01 m
(12 AWG)
(3.3 ft.)
(6.6 ft.)
2.5 mm
2
1.26 m
(14 AWG)
(4.1 ft.)
Table 2.3-6a Maximum 1-Way Wire Distance (12 Volts)
