Modes Of Operation; Bulk - OutBack Power FLEXmax 100 Owner's Manual

Modes of Operation

The FLEXmax 100 goes through many states during its operation. Figure 20 shows an example of the
various stages of battery charging and several states when the controller is not charging. (The graph in
Figure 20 shows a typical day of charging with a nominal 48-volt system. Charging is described in detail
on page 67.)
A MATE3s system display has five "mode" messages which represent all states of operation. The
following sections use the names displayed by the system display. (See page 36.) These sections
describe the controller operation and show the LED indicators illuminated in each mode.
Figure 20

Bulk

This is a Maximum Power Point Tracking mode which harvests the maximum wattage available from the
PV array. The controller will drive the battery voltage towards the Absorb Voltage set point. Normally
the charge controller enters this mode at the beginning of the day or when a new charge cycle begins.
The controller may also enter this stage if there is not enough PV energy to maintain a different stage
such as Absorption. See page 32 for more information.
900-0209-01-00 Rev A
FLEXmax 100 Battery Charging and Modes
Blue (solid)
Amber (solid)
The S indicator will remain amber as long as the battery voltage remains
TATUS
above 1.91 Vpc, even if no charging is occurring. The C
however, will not illuminate if less than 10 watts is used by the PV. This may
occur if charging is performed by another source.
Figure 21 LED Indicators (Bulk)
Status and Information
indicator,
HARGING
31