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TriStar MPPT-600V-TR Operator's Manual
42
Operation
4.2 TrakStar
TM
MPPT Technology
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR utilizes Morningstar’s TrakStar
TM
Maximum Power Point Tracking
(MPPT) technology to extract maximum power from high voltage solar arrays commonly used in
grid-tie applications. The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and does not require user adjust-
ment. TrakStar
TM
technology tracks an array’s
maximum power point
as it varies with weather
conditions, ensuring that maximum power is harvested throughout the course of the day.
Power Conversion
The power into the TS-MPPT-600V-TR is the same as the power out of the TS-MPPT-600V-TR.
A system may have 5 amps of solar current flowing into the TS-MPPT-600V-TR
and 50 amps of
charge current flowing out to the battery. Since power is the product of voltage and current (Volts
x Amps), the following is true*:
(1) Power Into the
TS-MPPT-600V-TR
= Power Out of the
TS-MPPT-600V-TR
(2) Volts In x Amps In = Volts Out x Amps Out
* assuming 100% efficiency -- wiring and conversion losses neglected.
If the solar module’s
maximum power voltage
(V
mp
) is greater than the battery voltage, it follows
that the battery current must be proportionally greater than the solar input current so that input
and output power are balanced. The greater the difference between the V
mp
and battery voltage,
the greater the current “boost”. Current boost can be substantial in systems where the solar array
is of a higher nominal voltage than the battery as described in the next section.
4.3 Battery Charging
4-Stage Charging
The TS-MPPT-600V-TR has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for rapid, efficient, and safe
battery charging. Figure 4-0 shows the sequence of the stages.
NIGHT
NIGHT
BULK
CHARGE
ABSORPTION
FLOAT
EQUALIZE
VOL
TAGE
TIME
Figure 4-2. TriStar MPPT Charging Algorithm
Bulk Charge Stage
During Bulk charging, the battery is not at 100% state of charge and battery voltage has not yet
charged to the Absorption voltage set-point. The controller will deliver 100% of available solar
power to recharge the battery.
Absorption Stage
When the battery has recharged to the Absorption voltage set-point, constant-voltage regulation
is used to maintain battery voltage at the Absorption set-point. This prevents heating and exces-
sive battery gassing. The battery is allowed to come to full state of charge at the Absorption volt-
age set-point. The green SOC LED will blink once per second during Absorption charging.
The battery must remain in the Absorption charging stage for a cumulative 120 - 150 minutes,
depending on battery type, before transition to the Float stage will occur. However, Absorption
time will be extended by 30 minutes if the battery discharges below 50 Volts the previous night.
The Absorption set-point is temperature compensated if the RTS is connected.