TM-2030 Technical Manual

18
●Each recorded data represents a 24 hour period that ends at a time of day (or night) that you can determine by
referring to Program 17, on page 13
Purpose of H7, H8 data: The way that the TriMetric determines that the batteries are “charged” (in Level 1, 2 and 3
operation) is to sense that the battery volts exceeded the programmed P1 value, and the charging Amps are less
than the value of P2 times P3 (P2 is expressed as a percentage). The H7 and H8 history data track these values
so you can see, during each 24 hour period, how high the volts actually got, and how low the Amps got—so if
these values were not achieved you can understand why.
The H7 data shows the maximum voltage the batteries were charged on that day. The H8 data shows the
minimum amps that were attained when the voltage was near that maximum (Filtered values of volts and
amps are recorded, as defined in section 6.2.5.) The meter (in Level 1, 2 or 3) will only indicate “charged” on
days when the H7 maximum volts data is equal or greater than the P1 program data—and the H8
“minimum amps” data is less than the product of P2(percent) times P3, so the H7, H8 data allow you to
discover how close these values got, on each of the last 5 days.
Purpose of H9 data: When the meter is in “Level 4” operation, in addition to the above, to sense “charged” it also
requires that the returned percentage of charge exceeds the P20 value. That is what the H9 History data tracks.
Also use the H7 maximum daily voltage data to:
verify that the charge controller or chargers are charging to correct absorb voltage.
verify that sufficient charging is taken place during that day to reach the “absorb” voltage.
Also use the H8 maximum daily voltage data to:
verify that enough charging time occurred to reduce the amps to a satisfactory low value.
Also use H9 to see how much daily overcharge in percent was achieved
verify that sufficient overcharge took place that day (compared with the most recent low charge point) has been
during the day. According to many battery experts, properly charged liquid electrolyte lead acid batteries
should be charged with 110-120% more than the (low) level to which were just previously discharged to ensure
they will not gradually lose capacity. AGM batteries should be charged to 104-109% of previous discharge.
●Technical note: The value recorded for the H8 minimum current data depends on whether the voltage on that day exceeded
the “charged voltage” setpoint programmed in program P1.
If the H7 (maximum filtered voltage) on a particular day is less than the “charged voltage” setpoint :
Then the amps value (for that day) is the (filtered) amps value at the moment that the maximum voltage
occurred.
If the H7 (maximum filtered voltage) on a particular day is greater than the “charged voltage: setpoint:
Then the amps value is the minimum (filtered) amps during the time that the volts exceeded the setpoint
6.4 Further description of each programming function. Instructions for
observing and changing programming items is in section 5
P1 and P2: "Charged" setpoint voltage and "charged" setpoint amps.
Purpose of data: The "charged" voltage (P1) and amp (P2) setpoints provide information the TriMetric uses to
determine when your battery set is "charged". Details are given in section 6.2. The amp setpoint (P2) is now
entered as a percentage of P3, unlike with the TM2020 or TM2025, when the amps were entered directly. So
the actual amps value, below which the batteries need to be charged, is the percentage in P2 times the capacity P3.
About voltage and current "charged" setpoints: Of these two setpoints, the “voltage” setpoint is the most critical,
and the “current” setpoint less so. If you have only low current charging sources you could set the current setpoint to
“OFF”—however both should be used if at least one of your chargers is a high current charging source such as a
generator charger or inverter/charger. More specifics follow.
Choosing “charged setpoint volts”: Section C1 of the “Installers instructions for TriMetric TM2030” has simpler
instructions on determining these parameters. Similar information is given in section 7 of these instructions.
Some technical details: For a 12 V lead acid battery system, the voltage setpoint will usually be between 14.0 and 14.8 volts. Double these
numbers for 24V systems or multiply by 4 for 48V systems. As pointed out in Section 7, your chargers and charge controllers must be set
according to information from the battery manufacturer. Once those are set, the TriMetric voltage setpoint should be 1% or so lower than
the charger settings. If this is done the TriMetric "charging" lamp will begin to flash (as indicated on the top “charging” lamp on the
panel) some time before the charging system decides that the batteries are charged and stops charging your batteries. If you have two or
more chargers, such as solar and generator, both chargers would normally be set to charge to the same voltage, and the TriMetric should be
set with the voltage low enough for either one to reach when the batteries approach full charge.
Choosing the “charged setpoint percentage amps”: IMPORTANT: New for the TM-2030: enter this percentage directly into
program P2 from 1.0 to 10.0%. The method of setting this has been changed from the older TM-2020 or TM-2025. If you have a
generator or other charger that has high charging current capability it becomes important to also set the “charged setpoint amps” in the
TriMetric. This is because a high current charging source can force the battery voltage to rise and meet the “charged voltage” setpoint even
though the batteries are not yet well charged. With such a charger, once the voltage reaches its maximum “bulk voltage” the charging
current (amps) will start out high, then gradually reduce as the batteries become more charged. Proper adjustment of the “current setpoint”
will ensure that the TriMetric will not consider the batteries “charged” until the charging current goes below the setpoint amps. The lower
you set this value, the more “charged” the battery must be before the TriMetric will declare the battery to be “charged”. To set this value