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electrical:solar:tracer [2022/01/02 13:01] frater_secessus [quirks] |
electrical:solar:tracer [2023/01/18 13:33] (current) frater_secessus [quirks] |
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==== quirks ==== | ===== quirks ===== |
Some [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|voltage setpoints]] are constrained in relationship to each other. Because of this it may be easiest to configure them in a particular order.((http://techluck.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1486955008)) This order places the configurations in increasing (or equal) voltages the way the controller wants it. | |
- "Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage" | ==== MPPT algorithm performance ==== |
- "Boost Reconnect" | |
| The algo is slow but performs very well under good solar conditions. Under poor or rapidly-changing solar conditions [[opinion:frater_secessus:epever|it may underperform]]. |
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| ==== programming ==== |
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| Some [[electrical:solar:charge_controller_setpoints|voltage setpoints]] are constrained in relationship to each other. Because of this it may be easiest to write them down in this order((http://techluck.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1486955008)) (lowest to highest voltage) to make sure the logic below is followed. Then program them into the controller. |
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| - "Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage" (load)((reconnect loads after regaining this voltage)) |
| - "Boost Reconnect"((if voltage falls below this in Float then Boost/Absorption will be restarted)) |
- Then "Float Charge" | - Then "Float Charge" |
- Then "Boost Charge" | - Then "Boost Charge" |
- Then "Equalize Charge" | - Then "Equalize Charge" |
- Then "Over Voltage Reconnect" | - Then "Over Voltage Reconnect" (load)((reconnect at this voltage aftr OVD has kicked in)) |
- Then "Charging Limit" | - Then "Charging Limit"((highest voltage the controller will allow for charging)) |
- Then "Over Voltage Disconnect" | - Then "Over Voltage Disconnect" (load) |
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**PARA errors** mean the internal logic of the setpoints has been violated: | **PARA errors** mean the internal logic of the setpoints has been violated: |
> The **following rules** must be observed when modifying the parameter's value in user battery type | > The **following rules** must be observed when modifying the parameter's value in user battery type |
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> Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage > Charging Limit Voltage ≥ Equalize Charging Voltage ≥ Boost Charging Voltage ≥ Float Charging Voltage > Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage. | > Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage (load) > Charging Limit Voltage ≥ Equalize Charging Voltage ≥ Boost Charging Voltage ≥ Float Charging Voltage > Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage. |
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> Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage > Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage | > Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage (load) > Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage (load) |
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> Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage > Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage ≥ Discharging Limit Voltage. | > Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage (load) > Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage (load) ≥ Discharging Limit Voltage. |
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> Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage>Under Voltage Warning Voltage≥ Discharging Limit Voltage | > Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage (load)((low voltage warning turns off here)) > Under Voltage Warning Voltage (load) ≥ Discharging Limit Voltage (load)((no effect other than warning in standalone systems)) |
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> Boost Reconnect Charging voltage >Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage. | > Boost Reconnect Charging voltage > Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage. |
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Tracer (and the Renogy rebrands) refer to the **Absorption stage as "boost"**. This is an unforced error; the nonstandard term confuses newcomers and conflicts with the already-existing "[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT boost]]" term. | Tracer (and the Renogy rebrands) refer to the **Absorption stage as "boost"**. This is an unforced error; the nonstandard term confuses newcomers and conflicts with the already-existing "[[electrical:solar:charge_controller#mppt|MPPT boost]]" term. |
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| The LOAD icon (light bulb ON/OFF) indicates whether the LOAD terminals are powered, not whether or not anything is connected to them or consuming power. |
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=== battery SOC icon === | |
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| === battery SOC icon === |
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The **battery icon** found on many Tracer controllers is unnecessary and misleading. The manual claims it is a [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|State of Charge]] meter but there is no guide to reading it. Since the same voltage can result in different display during charging and non-charging scenarios, it may actually be useful to think of as a **charging indicator rather than state of charge indicator**. Secessus' unscientific observation reveals these weak correlations: | The **battery icon** found on many Tracer controllers is unnecessary and misleading. The manual claims it is a [[electrical:depth_of_discharge|State of Charge]] meter but there is no guide to reading it. Since the same voltage can result in different display during charging and non-charging scenarios, it may actually be useful to think of as a **charging indicator rather than state of charge indicator**. Secessus' unscientific observation reveals these weak correlations: |
| **0 bar / 0%: **| not charging| <= Vlvd| | | **0 bar / 0%: **| not charging| <= Vlvd| |
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The LOAD icon (light bulb ON/OFF) indicates whether the LOAD terminals are powered, not whether or not anything is connected to them or consuming power. | ===== lithium compatibility ===== |
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| EpEver says the Tracer series is not fully lithium compatible since they cannot "activate" Li batteries that have shut themselves down.((https://www.epsolarpv.com/upload/file/1812/EPEVER%20Tracer%20AN_Main_Pres.pdf)) [IMO this is an unnecessarily high criterion which other mfg do not adhere to. [[electrical:12v:drop-in_lifepo4#mythyou_can_t_charge_li_with_a_lead_battery_charger|Almost any configurable charger can be used for lithium]]. - secessus] |
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| There is anecdotal evidence that the PC software can configure the controller to stop charging below a given temperature. |
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| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nihEFe0XJXU|Budget LiFePo4 Low-Temp Protection Solution & Test]] |
| * [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1qbJu2N5I|MPPT low temp disconnect]] |
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| ===== models ===== |
==== A series ==== | ==== A series ==== |
{{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ea6Qpt0zL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg }} | {{https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ea6Qpt0zL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg }} |
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Because of a tweak Renogy made to their version of the controllers, the plain MT-50 will not work and you must pay extra for [[https://amzn.to/2YueTzP|the Renogy MT-50]]. | Because of a tweak Renogy made to their version of the controllers, the plain MT-50 will not work and you must pay extra for [[https://amzn.to/2YueTzP|the Renogy MT-50]]. |
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| Note: some comms problems can be solved by [[https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarDIY/comments/t4xydv/fixing_an_epever_tracer_4210an_charge_controller/|adjusting the baud rate]]. |
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==== MT-75 display ==== | ==== MT-75 display ==== |