4
discoverbattery.com
3. Overview
3.1 System Overview
The AES LYNK Communication Gateway unlocks the full potential of a Discover AES LiFePO
4
battery by enabling the internal
Battery Management System (BMS) to optimize the charge and discharge configurations of the world’s best inverter/
chargers and solar charge controller systems in a closed loop configuration.
AES LiFePO
4
batteries must be set up to work with power conversion and monitoring devices in either an open-loop or
closed loop configuration. AES LiFePO
4
battery charge and discharge settings in a open-loop configuration are set up
manually through the controller for the power conversion device at the time of installation. This is commonly refered to as
a ‘lead acid drop-in replacement’ configuration. In a closed-loop configuration the battery charge and discharge rates and
settings are dynamically controlled by the BMS of the AES LiFePO
4
battery over a connection with the power conversion
devices in the network.
To connect with the communication network of a specific brand of inverter charger or solar charge controller, the LYNK
Communication Gateway requires an AES LYNK Edge Card with the appropriate communication port.
3.2 Minimum Battery Capacity
Battery charge and discharge rates are managed automatically by the AES
LiFePO
4
battery and Sol-Ark device.
Using very
large solar arrays with battery banks that are too small can exceed the operating limits of the battery to charge and possibly
lead to the BMS triggering over-current protection. Battery capacity must be sized to accept the maximum charge current
of the system, or the charging devices must be curtailed to charge below the operating limit of the installed batteries. This
value is derived by adding together the charge capacities of all inverter/chargers and solar charge controllers in the system.
Additionally, battery peak capacity must be sized to support the surge requirements demanded by the load attached to the
inverter. Match the sum of all inverter peak power values with the sum of all battery peak battery current values.
Model
Inverter Peak*
(92% Efficiency at 48V)
Charger*
Solar Charger*
Single Phase
Minimum
42-48-6650
Single Phase
Minimum
44-48-3000
Sol-Ark 8K (120 V)
417 Adc
190 Adc
250 Adc
2
5
Sol-Ark 12K (120V)
417 Adc
190 Adc
250 Adc
2
5
Model
Inverter Peak*
(92% Efficiency at 48V)
Charger*
Solar Charger*
Single Phase
Minimum
42-48-6650
Single Phase
Minimum
44-48-3000
Sol-Ark 8K (240 V)
208 Adc
190 Adc
250 Adc
2
5
Sol-Ark 12K (240V)
208 Adc
190 Adc
250 Adc
2
5
* As published in the Sol-Ark User Manual