Morningstar Product Connectivity Manual Networking & Communications 4 December 2019 MORNINGSTAR Corporation www.morningstarcorp.
8.0 E-mail Alerts / SNMP Traps / SNMP Polling Contents 9.0 Data Logging 1.0 Introduction 10.0 Network Security 1.1 Communications Protocols 11.0 Troubleshooting & Misc. 1.2 Communications Interfaces Appendix I - TSMPPT & EMC-1 Networking 1.3 RS-232 vs. USB I. Introduction 2.0 Networking Hardware II. Connect to LAN 2.1 Morningstar Equipment III. Remote Access 2.2 Other Equipment IV. Multi-Controller Networking 3.0 MeterBusTM Networks V. Additional Info 3.
1.0 Introduction ! Thank you for choosing Morningstar for your PV control system needs. Morningstar products offer a wide range of networking, logging, data transfer, and custom setting capabilities. Please review this document carefully and become familiar with all the networking/ communication options Morningstar products have to offer. 1.
1.2 Communications Interfaces The following table outlines the various communications interfaces found on Morningstar products. (Each dot represents one interface.
The RSC-1 adapter provides the ability to network serial devices over an EIA-485 bus using the MODBUSTM protocol. A null modem cable is used to connect a PC to the RSC-1, while a straightthrough serial cable is used to connect a Morningstar device to the RSC-1. 2.0 Networking Hardware There are many pieces of networking hardware. The following is a description of the most common hardware used to network Morningstar devices. 2.1 Morningstar Equipment The RSC-1 requires an external power source.
2.1.4 Ethernet MeterBus™ Converter (EMC-1) 2.1.5 Meter Hub (HUB-1) Figure 4. Morningstar Ethernet MeterBus™ Converter (model: EMC-1) The EMC-1 is an Ethernet to MeterbusTM converter that creates a Serial-to-Ethernet connection to a Morningstar charge controller or inverter (Morningstar Device). The connected device needs to have a MeterBus™ (RJ-11) port. The EMC-1 acts as an Ethernet gateway that serves MODBUS IP, local Web pages, SNMP, and for future use, Web Monitoring Services.
Figure 6. DB-25 to DB-9 Adapter Figure 8. Null Modem Serial Cable 2.2.2 Straight-Through Serial Cable Straight-through serial cables connect a Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) device to a Data Communications Equipment (DCE) device by matching Tx pins, Rx pins, CTS pins, and RTS pins between devices, thus the name straight-through cable. Both ends of the cable terminate in DB-9 connectors. These can either be regular-style (cylindrical) or ribbon cable (flat); either are suitable for use.
Figure 10. Ethernet Crossover Cable NOTE: Both standard and crossover Ethernet cables will vary in color and length. They may look identical on the outside, but internally they are different. Figure 12. Serial RS-232 / EIA-485 Converter Recommended: Morningstar’s RS-232 / EIA-485 Adapter (RSC-1) (See Subsection 2.1.2) 2.2.6 RJ-11 Cable RJ-11 cable is the standard cable used in telephone wiring. The wire must be either 4 or 6 (commonly referred to as RJ-12) conductor and terminate in RJ-11 connectors.
2.2.11 Ethernet Router Ethernet routers allow you to establish a LAN, which can then be connected to the Internet. Information sent from a PC or device will have a destination address. It travels to the router, where the router looks up the destination address and forwards it to the appropriate PC or device on the local network. This equipment can be used to connect multiple controllers and a PC over a network and allow them to communicate using the MODBUS IPTM protocol. Figure 14.
2.2.13 Point-to-Point Radio (supporting MODBUSTM) These radio systems are used to connect remotely to a device 10-25km away in the field. This type of connection requires a base radio at the PC and a field radio at the device site. Data is transmitted wirelessly over the connection without the need for external services or fees. These devices often operate in the ISM band so unlicensed operations are typically permitted.
(A) Supplies Power (B) Requires Power SunSaver Duo Remote Meter (RM-1) SunSaver MPPT TriStar Digital Meter 2 (TS-M-2) ProStar Gen 3 TriStar Remote Meter 2 (TS-RM-2) ProStar MPPT Relay Driver TriStar MeterBus™ Adapters & Converters for MODBUS™/MeterBus™ (see section 4.3.5) TriStar MPPT (150V & 600V) SureSine Table 2. Morningstar Device MeterBusTM Power Specifications • One device from Table 2. Column A must be connected to Input Power Port B of the Meter Hub.
3.3.3 Example #3 - RD-1 Polling Network A Relay Driver used in conjunction with a Meter Hub allows the Relay Driver to poll multiple controllers and trigger alarms based upon specific controller inputs. For example, the RD-1 could trigger an alarm for overcurrent on one of the controllers, while simultaneously triggering an alarm for LVD on one of the other controllers. Note that the Relay Driver is connected to Output Power Port A because it does not supply its own power to the MeterBusTM network.
3.4.2 Addressing To enable devices on the network to communicate with each other, each one must be assigned a unique MeterBusTM ID. Only 15 devices are allowed on a single network, therefore, the range of acceptable MeterBusTM IDs is 1 to 15. There are two manners in which you can assign these addresses: using a TriStar Meter, built-in ProStar or ProStar MPPT meter or by using a PC.
4.2.2 USB / Serial (USB / RS-232) 4.0 MODBUS Networking TM To connect the serial RS-232 connection on a Morningstar product to a USB port on a PC, a USB to Serial adapter cable is needed. See Subsection 2.2.8 for a info and a recommendation of a compatible USB to Serial adapter. Figure 25 below illustrates a proper connection. 4.1 Overview MODBUSTM is an open and free communications protocol widely used in industrial automation. It allows for networking of up to 247 devices on a single data link.
Figure 27. USB / RJ-11 Connection Diagram Once connected, please refer to Section 5 on how to make Local Connections in MSViewTM. 4.2.5 USB / Serial (DB-9) / RJ-11 A less preferred method for connecting a computer that does not have a serial (DB-9) port with a Morningstar device that has only an RJ-11 port is to make two transitions from USB to serial (DB9) and then from Serial (DB-9) to RJ-11. This requires a 3rd party USB to Serial (DB-9) with a Morningstar PC MeterBus™ Adapter (model: MSC).
Using this type of connection requires a paid data plan subscription from your local cellular provider. In areas where cell phone towers are not yet located or there is a poor signal, satellite modems can be used in a similar manner. Satellites in orbit relay the signal, instead of a land-based tower. Contact your cellular provider for information on plans, pricing, activation, and technical assistance. Figure 30.
For Morningstar devices which includes an RS-232 port the EMC-1 will convert from Ethernet to RS-232. Figure 34 below illustrates the proper connection with Ethernet to RJ-11. Setup is similar to Ethernet to Ethernet described in subsection 4.3.3.1 and may require a Ethernet Crossover cable. The EMC-1 also provides an Live View HTML web page for the connected product which can be accessed with this type of connection. Figure 32.
4.3.3.4 LAN/WAN/Internet IP addressing allows you to connect to a device over a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) or from across the globe using the Internet. There are many different physical configurations allowing for such connections, however, their unifying attribute is the use of IP addressing. Once connected, please refer to Section 5 on how to make Remote Connections in MSViewTM. 4.3.3.
4.3.5 Multiple Devices via LAN/WAN/Internet Multiple devices can communicate via Ethernet connections in the same way a single device communicates with a PC. Several devices can be connected to a single LAN router or directly to the Internet. Each device (or Ethernet to serial converter) will have its own IP address, enabling communication with your Internet-connected system. Figure 39 illustrates multiple device Ethernet connections.
Please refer to the WinZipTM web site for instructions on how to unzip the MSViewTM file. Newer versions of MSViewTM do not require installation. After unzipping the download folder, double-click on the MSViewTM icon to run the program. 5.0 MSView™ 5.3 Establishing a Connection 5.1 Overview The MSViewTM software package is used by your PC to change custom settings, view real-time controller data, download internally logged data, log data in real time and view historic data graphically.
5.5.2 SunSaver Duo Setup Wizard 5.3.3 Connect If the connection attempt was successful, there should be a green device icon in the Edgebar of the MSView™ workspace. The label will display the connected device’s name and serial number. NOTE: DIP switch 4 must be ON to use custom setpoints. Disconnect power from the controller before changing any DIP switches; failure to do so will cause a fault. 5.4 Creating A New Display The MSViewTM software is frequently updated.
Progressing through the wizard, the user specifies absorption, float and equalize charging setpoints, along with appropriate temperature compensation. The ProStar has load settings which includes low voltage disconnect/reconnect, load current compensation and high voltage disconnect/reconnect as well as lighting settings and finally communication settings to define MeterBusTM/MODBUSTM addresses.
6.0 MSLoad™ ! 6.1 Overview Periodically, Morningstar will release firmware updates to their charge controllers. These updates will fix minor operational bugs, adjust operating parameters for better battery charging, or add additional features. Firmware updates are free and posted, as they become available, on the Morningstar web site at www.morningstarcorp.com. The program used to update your controller’s firmware is called MSLoadTM.
7.2 Port Information 7.0 Web site Hosting via HTTP Controllers with web serving capability use the standard HTTP Port 80 for communications. In addition, Port 502 is used for MODBUS TCPTM communication. To access the controller remotely, the router to which the unit is connected must be configured for port forwarding. Port forwarding commands the router to direct all incoming internet traffic on a certain port to a computer or other device on your private network.
8.0 E-mail Alerts/SNMP Traps/SNMP Polling 8.1 Overview Morningstar’s TriStar MPPT controllers (60A, 150V and 600V versions) provide alerts via E-mail, SMS (text message), or SNMP trap. Notifications can be enabled for the following conditions: • Self diagnostics fault condition (i.e. battery voltage sense failure) • Self diagnostics alarm condition (i.e. high-temp current limit) • User-defined event (i.e.
Data can be monitored using 3rd-party Network Management Software (NMS) and supported platforms can be recommended by Morningstar upon request. A list of parameters and addresses, along with the industry-standard Management Information Base (.mib) files, for each device are available for download from the EMC-1 product page on our website (https://www.morningstarcorp.com/products/ethernet-meterbus-converter/).
9.4 Data Acquisition Service Some companies provide data collection services for your renewable energy system. All the interfacing, programming, and setup are done by the service provider. Usually, the service provider collects data and displays it on a secure web site to be accessed at the customer’s convenience. Data can often be converted to a graphical format, making it easier to understand for customers without a technical background.
11.0 Troubleshooting & Misc. Basic RS-232 Serial Communication Problems If you are having problems communicating with a Morningstar product while using a serial to serial (or serial to RJ-11) connection: Figure 41. Digi TransPort Cellular Modem Family For wireless cellular connections, the Digi TransPort Cellular Modem family provides enhanced security features for enterprise-class applications. (Shown above.) • Make sure the device is powered with a battery or power supply.
Power must be applied as follows: + Power must be asserted on the DTR and/or RTS pins - Power must be asserted on the RTS and/or RX pins Modifications can be made to your equipment (or RS-232 cable, but this is usually more difficult) so that the correct power is delivered to the Morningstar unit. Internally wiring several pins is usually all that is needed, but there is some equipment that does not provide negative (-) power at all, on any pin.
Status LED Off Green Orange UMC-1 Status LED Indication No connection to controller Connection OK, No activity Communication activity Notes Check bus power and polarity Wiring OK, Ready for data Network OK Table 8.
to be as follows: • Pins 4(DTR) and 6(DSR) must be wired together. • Pins 7(RTS) and 8(CTS) must be wired together. • In the MOXATM configuration manager, enable flow control DTR/DSR. *If using the MGateTM with a TSMPPT, no adjustment to the device is necessary. These changes are most easily made by removing the cover of the MOXA device and soldering the pins of the serial port directly.
Appendix I - TSMPPT & EMC-1 Networking I. Introduction Obtain info using a Windows PC Click the start menu button Choose the Run... menu item Type cmd in the Open text field and click OK At the prompt type ipconfig /all and hit enter. (note: there is a space between the “g” and “/”) Network information similar to the screenshot below will be displayed Certain models of the TriStar MPPT family of charge controllers have Ethernet ports and web features.
MSView™ Using a Windows PC HTML LAN Connection Using Live View Step 1 Step 1 Connect the TriStar MPPT to your network using an Ethernet cable or follow the instructions in section 2 of the EMC-1 manual. The unit must be powered up to communicate. Before proceeding to the next step, allow 5 minutes for the controller to connect to the network and acquire its network settings. Step 2 Next, connect to the controller using a computer on the network. Microsoft PC 1. Open a web browser 2.
NOTE: MSView™ is a Windows based software but it is able run on Apple Mac and Linux operating systems with WINE software. https://www.winehq.org/ WINE is compatible with TCP/IP Ethernet connections but may not support USB or other Serial connections. III. Configure Remote Access Configure remote access to allow communication with your TriStar MPPT or EMC-1 Ethernet enabled device from any computer or device on the internet.
Step 1 - Retrieve the Current TriStar MPPT or EMC-1 Device Network Settings a. Open a web browser on any computer on your local network b. Open the Live View web page for the device c. Click the “Network” link at the top of the page d. Write down all the information in the Current Network Settings section e. Also note under the “Settings” section if “Obtain IP address from DHCP server” is selected. Step 2 - Login to the network Router a. Open a web browser on any computer on your local network b.
Figure 5. Networking Morningstar products that do not have Ethernet ports. Figure 4. Dynamic DNS service Figure 4 above illustrates how DDNS works. Dynamic DNS servers are notified by a computer on Jack’s private network whenever the router IP changes. The address: JacksHouse.dyndns.org points to the DDNS servers which in turn forward the request to the latest IP address of Jack’s Private Network.
V. Additional Info Default TriStar MPPT and EMC-1 Settings Manual Network Configuration For networks that do not support DHCP, the TriStar MPPT or EMC-1 connected device must be configured manually. If there is more than one Morningstar Device in a system each device needs to have its own unique IP Address. Follow these steps to manually configure the network settings for the TriStar MPPT and EMC-1. a. Open a web browser on any computer on your local networkb.
Appendix II - Advanced System Example MS-002938 v3.
