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TriStar MPPT-600V-TR Operator's Manual
58
Networking and Communication
5.2 Morningstar MeterBus
TM
Morningstar’s proprietary MeterBus
TM
protocol allows communication between compatible Morn-
ingstar products. Use a MeterBus
TM
network to:
• display select net system data for multiple TriStar / TriStar MPPT / TS-MPPT-600V-TR
systems**
• communicate with a TriStar Meter 2 -600V, a TriStar Meter 2 or TriStar Remote Meter 2
• communicate with a Relay Driver or other compatible Morningstar accessories (see sec-
tion 2.5 for more details)
**A Morningstar MeterBus Hub (HUB-1) and a TriStar Meter 2 (TS-M-2), TriStar Remote Meter 2 (TS-RM-2) or a TriStar Meter 2
600V (TS-M-2-600V) are required (not included).
A MeterBus Hub (model: HUB-1) is required for MeterBus networks containing multiple
TS-MPPT-600V-TR controllers. The ports on the hub are electrically isolated to prevent dam-
age in the event of broken grounds or voltage differences between controllers. Figure 5-1 below
shows an example MeterBus
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network with two (2) TS-MPPT-600V-TR controllers and a TriStar
Remote Meter 2 (TS-RM-2).
MeterBus
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Network Hub
TriStar
Remote Meter
TriStar-MPPT-HV
Controllers
Figure 5-1. An example MeterBus network.
Up to five (5) controllers can be networked together with a single hub. Multiple hubs can be
daisy-chained together to allow networks of up to (15) controllers and (2) meters.
Refer to the HUB-1 and TriStar Meter manuals for more information about Morningstar Meter-
Bus
TM
networking.
5.3 Serial RS-232
The serial port connection on the TS-MPPT-600V-TR is a standard 9-pin isolated RS-232 port.
See figure 3-5 for the port location.The TS-MPPT-600V-TR communicates through the serial port
via the open standard MODBUS
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protocol.
Connect the TS-MPPT-600V-TR to the serial port on a PC to:
• program custom charge settings with MSView
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PC software
• view real-time data with MSView
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PC software
• log real-time data with MSView
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PC software
• configure ethernet settings
• update controller firmware with MSLoad
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firmware utility
NOTE:
The RS-232 and EIA-485 ports share hardware. Both ports cannot be used simultaneously.
NOTE:
If your PC does not have a serial port, a USB to Serial cable can be purchased at your local
electronics retailer. Tripp-Lite brand compatibility has been verified.
The serial connection is ideal for configuring custom settings or monitoring a single
TS-MPPT-600V-TR controller. Figure 5-2 shows a serial connection between the controller and a
PC with MSView
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PC software.
Serial Cable
Figure 5-2. A serial connection between a PC and the TS-MPPT-600V-TR