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TriStar MPPT Operator’s Manual
50
Operation
5.0 Networking and Communication
5.1 Introduction
The TriStar MPPT 150V provides several communication options. The TriStar MPPT 150V uses
a proprietary protocol for the MeterBus
TM
network and the non-proprietary open standard MOD-
BUS
TM
and MODBUS TCP/IP
TM
protocols for RS-232, EIA-485, and ethernet networks. Addition-
ally, HTTP, SMTP, and SNMP are supported for web page, email, and network message support.
Morningstar’s MSView
TM
PC software provides system monitoring and logging capabilities via
RS-232, EIA-485, and ethernet. MSView
TM
PC software is available for free on our website at:
http://www.morningstarcorp.com.
Further, hardware and third party software that supports the MODBUS
TM
protocol can also be
used to communicate with a TriStar MPPT 150V.
Multiple communication ports can be used simultaneously. For example, a TriStar MPPT 150V
may be connected to a MeterBus
TM
network for on-site system metering, connected to the inter-
net for remote monitoring, and connected to an EIA-485 network to bridge data from other con-
trollers in the system to an internet connection. Note that the RS-232 and EIA-485 connections
share hardware and therefore cannot be used simultaneously.
Table 5-1 below provides a summary of supported features for each communication interface.
MeterBus
RS-232
EIA-485
Ethernet
Display system/network data on a TriStar meter
●
Connect a TSMPPT to a Relay Driver or other MS Accessory
●
Connect multiple TSMPPT together in a network
●
●
●
View and log data with MSView
TM
PC Software
●
●
●
View logged data stored in the TriStar MPPT 150V internal memory
●
●
●
●
Update TriStar MPPT 150V firmware
●
Program custom settings
●
●
●
View data in a web browser
●
Email notification
●
Text Message Alerts
●
SNMP Alerts
●
Table 5-1. Communication summary
Schedule
Maintenance Items
2 weeks after installation
Re-tighten power terminal connections to specified torque
values.
3 months after installation
Re-tighten power terminal connections to specified torque
values.
Monthly or After Each
Equalization
Inspect the battery bank. Look for cracked or
bulging cases, and corroded terminals.
F
or wet cell (flooded type) batteries, make sure the water level
is correct. Wet cell water levels should be checked monthly or
according to the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Annually
Clean the heatsink fins with a clean, dry rag.
Inspect all wiring for damage or fraying.
Inspect for nesting insects.
Re-tighten all wiring terminal connections to specified torque
values.
Inspect the system earth grounding for all components. Verify all
grounding conductors are appropriately secured to earth ground.
Table 4-6. Maintenance Schedule
