Operator`s manual

40
Installation, Operation and Maintainance of Buoy Operated Automatic Meteorological Stations
Power Supply
Figure 15: Mounting of the Solar Panel on the Mast
4.3.4 Maintenance
The MSX10 Solar Panel requires a minimum of routine maintenance. The following is recommended:
To improve the panels efficiency, clean the glass plate during each visit with a soft, lightly moistened cloth. •
Do not use any abrasive pad or cleaner, as this may permanently scratch the glass. Please keep in mind that
a dust cover on top of the module is reducing power output.
Make sure that no part of the panel is shaded or covered while the rest of the panel is exposed to sunlight, as •
this can permanently damage the unit.
Measure the voltage output of the panel if a problem is expected (for instance because of steady discharge •
of the battery under normal climatic conditions). Obviously, this test requires incident solar radiation. It also
needs a load attached to the solar panel, which can be simulated with (a) a 75-ohm resistor cable, or (b) con-
nection to the BP24 and CH12R charger while the station is in operation. The panel is damaged if no voltage
output is measured.
Check occasionally for loose nuts in the mounting hardware.•
4.3.5 Trouble Shooting
Problem 1: Battery is discharging steadily in spite of recent sunny periods.
Remedy 1.1: Clean the solar panel.
Remedy 1.2: Check if all wires are connected properly.
Remedy 1.3: Check if incoming solar radiation is not obstructed; remove obstructions.
4.4 Charging Unit
4.4.1 General
The regulator/charging unit of the BP24 power supply has three primary functions:
1. To provide a central connecting point for the solar panel, the datalogger, and the battery;
2. To manage the power supply to the datalogger, and to protect the battery from overcharge, fast
charge, and deep discharge;
3. To allow the user to monitor the system and locate potential system problems.
As indicated in paragraph 4.2.4, deep discharge, overcharge, or fast charge strongly reduces the life span of a
battery. To avoid these conditions, the regulator monitors the state of the battery, regulates the recharge current,
and limits the power drain to within an acceptable range. Hence the charging unit/regulator plays an important role
in safe guarding the system. Failure of this device often results in malfunctioning of other components of the Met
Station.
4.4.2 Installation
Installing the charging unit/regulator requires only limited user actions. The regulator is presented in Figure 13.
Similar to the instruction in paragraph 4.3.2, insert the leads from the solar panel into the terminals labeled CHG;
polarity does not matter. Connect the battery by plugging the battery connector in the terminal labeled INT.
Connection of the charging unit/regulator to the datalogger is described in paragraph 2.2.