Communications Document

71Morningstar Product Connectivity Manual
70
Appendix I - TSMPPT & EMC-1 Networking
Figure 4. Dynamic DNS service
Figure 4 above illustrates how DDNS works. Dynamic DNS servers are notied by a computer on Jack’s pri-
vate network whenever the router IP changes. The address: JacksHouse.dyndns.org points to the DDNS serv-
ers which in turn forward the request to the latest IP address of Jack’s Private Network.
Who provides this service and how much does it cost?
We recommend using Dynamic DNS service provided by www.DynDNS.com. It is reliable and has a proven
track record. However, there are other DDNS services that will work just as well. Detailed setup information is
available on their web sites.
IV. Multi-Controller Networking Options
Two or More TriStar MPPT and/or ENC-1 Connected Devices
Whenever possible, network multiple Morningstar products using Ethernet. This network scheme
can result in the lowest cost and most control over each controller in the network. TriStar MPPT
Controllers that do not have Ethernet ports should be connected via EIA-485 (see the next sec-
tion)
Be sure to set the Ethernet Security settings switch (switch #8 on the TS-MPPT and Switch #1 on
the EMC-1) to Disable Writes if the Ethernet network is accessible via the internet.
TriStar MPPT Controller(s) + Other Morningstar Products
A TriStar MPPT 60 can be connected to other Morningstar products on a network using the
built-in EIA-485 interface. The TriStar MPPT 60 connects to a network router using the Ether-
net port. All devices in the system are connected together on a EIA-485 bus. Incoming requests
from the LAN or Internet that are addressed to devices on the network are bridged through the
TriStar MPPT 60 onto the EIA-485 bus.
For products such as the Relay Driver that have a serial port, an EIA-485 adapter (model:RSC-1)
can be used to connect to the EIA-485 bus as shown in gure 5 below. Products that do not
have a serial port require an additional MeterBus™ adapter (model: MSC) to convert the RJ-11
interface to serial.
Figure 5. Networking Morningstar products that do not have Ethernet ports.
The EIA-485 bridging feature must be enabled in the network settings of the TriStar MPPT 60
controller as follows:
a. Open the TriStar Live View web page
b. Click the “Network” link at the top
c. Under the “Settings” section, check the box for the “Bridge Ethernet MODBUS™ requests to
EIA-485 network” option.
d. Click the “Save” button
NOTE:
The RSC-1 EIA-485 adapter requires power from the battery or DC-DC converter to power the bus. The
RSC-1 can be powered directly from a 12V system battery. For 24 or 48V systems, a DC-DC power
converter is required.
CAUTION:
All incoming requests addressed to controllers and devices that are connected (bridged) to the EIA-485
port on the TriStar MPPT will be passed both READ and WRITE MODBUS™ requests without exception.
Setting switch #8 on the TriStar MPPT only prevents WRITE requests to the local controller. For this
reason, we do not recommend enabling internet access to systems with bridged EIA-485 networks
unless extra network security measures are implemented.
!