TriStar Manual

35TriStar MPPT Operator’s Manual
Preparation for Equalization
First,conrmthatallofthesystemloadsareratedfortheequalizationvoltage.Considerthatat
0°C (32°F) the equalization voltage will reach 16.75 Volts for 12 Volt L-16 batteries (67.0 Volts for
48 Volt systems) with a temperature sensor installed. Disconnect any loads at risk of damage
due to the high input voltage.
If Hydrocaps are used, be sure to remove them before starting an equalization. Replace the
Hydrocaps with standard battery cell caps. The Hydrocaps can get very hot during an equaliza-
tion. Also, if Hydrocaps are used, the equalization should be set for manual only (DIP switch #7
is Off).
Aftertheequalizationisnished,adddistilledwatertoeachcelltoreplacegassinglosses.
Check that the battery plates are covered.
Equalize a Sealed Battery?
The Battery Charging Settings table (see table 4-1 in this section) shows one sealed battery
setting with an Equalization cycle. This is only a 0.1 Volt (12V battery) boost cycle to level indi-
vidual cells. This is not an equalization, and will not vent gas from sealed batteries that require
up to 14.4V charging (12V battery). Many VRLA batteries, including AGM and gel, have charging
requirements up to 14.4V (12V battery). This “boost” charge for sealed cells can be disabled by
setting the equalize setting switch to manual if required.
Battery Charging Settings
The details of the TriStar MPPT 150V battery charging settings are shown in tables 4-1 and 4-2
below. All voltage settings listed are for nominal 12 Volt batteries. Multiply the voltage settings by
two (2) for 24 Volt batteries or by four (4) for 48 Volt systems.
Settings
Switches
4 - 5 - 6
Battery
Type
Absorp.
Stage
(Volts)
Float
Stage
(Volts)
Equalize
Stage
(Volts)
Absorp.
Time
(Minutes)
Equalize
Time
(Minutes)
Equalize
Interval
(Days)
off-off-off 1 - Gel 14.00 13.70 150
off-off-on 2 - Sealed* 14.15 13.70 14.40 150 60 28
off-on-off 3 - Sealed* 14.30 13.70 14.60 150 60 28
off-on-on 4 - AGM/Flooded 14.40 13.70 15.10 180 120 28
on-off-off 5 - Flooded 14.60 13.50 15.30 180 120 28
on-off-on 6 - Flooded 14.70 13.50 15.40 180 180 28
on-on-off 7 - L-16 15.40 13.40 16.00 180 180 14
on-on-on 8 - Custom Custom Custom Custom Custom Custom Custom
* “Sealed” battery type includes gel and AGM batteries
Table 4-1. Battery charging settings for each selectable battery type