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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 equalvoltages 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]].  
 + 
 + 
 +==== programming ==== 
 + 
 + 
 +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 voltageto make sure the logic below is followed.  Then program them into the controller.  
 + 
 +  - "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)
  
 **PARA errors** mean the internal logic of the setpoints has been violated: **PARA errors** mean the internal logic of the setpoints has been violated:
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 > 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
  
-> 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.
  
-> Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage > Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage+> Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage (load) > Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage (load)
  
-> Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage > Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage ≥ Discharging Limit Voltage.+> Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage (load) > Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage (load) ≥ Discharging Limit Voltage.
  
-> 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))
  
-> 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. 
  
 +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.
  
-=== battery SOC icon === 
  
 +=== battery SOC icon ===
  
 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:
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 |  **0 bar / 0%:  **|  not charging|  <= Vlvd| |  **0 bar / 0%:  **|  not charging|  <= Vlvd|
  
-The LOAD icon (light bulb ON/OFFindicates whether the LOAD terminals are powered, not whether or not anything is connected to them or consuming power+===== lithium compatibility ===== 
 + 
 +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] 
 + 
 +There is anecdotal evidence that the PC software can configure the controller to stop charging below a given temperature 
 + 
 +  * [[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]] 
 + 
 +===== 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]].  
 +
 +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]].
  
 ==== MT-75 display ==== ==== MT-75 display ====
electrical/solar/tracer.1641146519.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022/01/02 13:01 by frater_secessus