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Epsolar eTracer Series Instruction Manual

Network maximum power point tracking solar charge controller
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EPsolar
eTracer series
—— Network Maximum Power Point Tracking
Solar Charge Controller
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
Thank you very much for selecting our product!
This manual offers important information and suggestions with respect to installation,
use and troubleshooting, etc. Please read this manual carefully before using the
product and pay attention to the safety recommendations in it.

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  • Page 1 EPsolar eTracer series —— Network Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller INSTRUCTION MANUAL Thank you very much for selecting our product! This manual offers important information and suggestions with respect to installation, use and troubleshooting, etc. Please read this manual carefully before using the...
  • Page 3 —— Network Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller Models ET2415N ET3415N ET4415N ET6415N Final interpretation right of the manual belongs to our company. Any changes without prior notice.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1.0 Important Safety Information ................. 1 2.0 General Information ..................2 2.1 Overview ...................... 2 2.2 Models & Parameters ................4 2.3 Characteristics ..................... 5 2.4 Optional Accessories ................. 7 3.0 Installation Instructions ..................8 3.1 General Installation Notes ................
  • Page 5 5.0 Networking & communication ..............33 5.1 Introduction ....................33 5.2 Setting ......................34 5.3 Other Introductions .................. 40 6.0 Protections, Troubleshooting & Maintenance .......... 42 6.1 Protections ....................42 6.2 Troubleshooting ..................43 6.3 Maintenance ....................45 7.0 Warranty ......................

  • Page 6: Important Safety Information

    1.0 Important Safety Information Save these instructions. This manual contains important safety, installation and operating instructions for eTracer. The following symbols are used throughout this manual to indicate potentially dangerous conditions or mark important safety instructions, please take care when meeting these symbols.

  • Page 7: General Information

    2.0 General Information 2.1 Overview Thank you for selecting the eTracer controller. With the features of industrial class product of high efficiency and reliability, the controller is a high-end product based on multiphase synchronous rectification technology. The features are listed below: ·12V/24V/36V/48V auto work ·Excellent EMC design, thermal design and nature air cooling ·The first tracking to the maximum power point of solar modules in 15 seconds or...
  • Page 8 The controller features the built-in blur intelligent control algorithm that maximizes the energy from the solar module(s) and charge the battery. The controller charging process has been optimized for long battery life and improved system performance. The comprehensive self-diagnostics and electronic protection functions can prevent damage from installation mistakes or system faults.

  • Page 9: Models & Parameters

    2.2 Models & Parameters Max. PV input voltage 150Vdc** Standard RS232, CAN BUS and ETHERNET communication interface ET2415N  Rated continuous charging current 20A  Max. PV input power 1040W  12V/24V/36V/48V system voltage auto work* ET3415N  Rated continuous charging current 30A ...

  • Page 10: Characteristics

    2.3 Characteristics Figure 2-1 Characteristics Page...
  • Page 11 1 – Heat Sink Inductance and MOSFET of heat through aluminum heat sink to dissipate. 2 – LCD Data of displaying interface. 3 – Battery Indicator An LED indicator shows battery status. 4 – Charging Indicator An LED indicator shows charging or not. 5 –...

  • Page 12: Optional Accessories

    16 – Battery Positive Terminal (red) Connect to battery positive (+) terminal. 2.4 Optional Accessories Remote Meter (Model: MT-100) The digital remote meter displays system operating information, error indications, and self-diagnostics read-out. Information is displayed on a backlit LCD display. The large numerical display and icons are easy to read and large buttons make navigating the meter menus easy.

  • Page 13: Installation Instructions

    3.0 Installation Instructions 3.1 General Installation Notes ·Read through the entire installation section first before beginning installation. ·Be very careful when working with batteries. Wear eye protection. Have fresh water available to wash and clean any contact with battery acid. ·Uses insulated tools and avoid placing metal objects near the batteries.

  • Page 14: Mounting

    3.2 Mounting NOTE: When mounting the eTracer, ensure free air through the controller heat sink fins. There should be at least 150mm of clearance above and below the controller to allow for cooling. If mounted in an enclosure, ventilation is highly recommended. WARNING: Risk of explosion! Never install the eTracer in a sealed enclose with flooded batteries! Do not install in a confined area where battery gas can accumulate.

  • Page 15: Wiring

    At least Warm air 150mm At least Cool air 150mm Figure 3-1 Mounting and cooling Step 3: Mark Holes Use a pencil or pen to mark the four (4) mounting hole locations on the mounting surface. Step 4: Drill Holes Remove the controller and drill four sizeable holes in the marked locations.
  • Page 16 NOTE: Do not entangle all wiring together, communication lines and power lines should be as far away as possible, to prevent interfering communication signal transmission. NOTE: The eTracer is a negative ground controller. Any negative connection of solar or battery can be earth grounded as required. Grounding is recommended.
  • Page 17 The voltage at the battery connection on the controller may differ slightly from the voltage directly at the battery bank terminals due to connection and cable resistance. The remote battery voltage sense connection enables the controller to measure the battery terminal voltage precisely with small gauge wires that carry very little current, and thus have no voltage drop.
  • Page 18 · RS-232 Connection: The serial RS-232 port is a standard 9-pin (DB9) male connector. Tighten the screw on both sides of female connector in case that the female connector loosens or falls off when data transmits. Refer to 9 port on the controller in the figure 2-1.
  • Page 19 · Solar Module(s) Connection: Connecting a breaker in series in the solar circuit is recommended, and select it according to the controller rated current of 1.25 to 2 times. Make it keep OFF state before connection. Connect solar positive (red) to the 13 port and negative (black) to the 14 port on the controller in the figure 2-1.

  • Page 20: Operation

    4.0 Operation 4.1 MPPT Technology The eTracer utilizes Maximum Power Point Tracking technology to extract maximum power from the solar module(s). The tracking algorithm is fully automatic and does not require user adjustment. eTracer technology will track the array maximum power point voltage (Vmp) as it varies with weather conditions, ensuring that maximum power is harvested from the array through the course of the day.
  • Page 21 the module‟s Vmp. In a 12V system for example, the battery voltage may range from 11-15Vdc but the module‟s Vmp is typically around 16 or 17V. Figure 4-1 shows a typical current VS. voltage output curve for a nominal 12V off-grid module.

  • Page 22: Battery Charging Information

    4.2 Battery Charging Information The eTracer has a 4-stage battery charging algorithm for rapid, efficient, and safe battery charging. eTracer Figure 4-2 charging algorithm ·Bulk Charge In this stage, the battery voltage has not yet reached boost voltage and 100% of available solar power is used to recharge the battery.
  • Page 23 reduces the voltage to the floating stage, charging with a smaller voltage and current. It will reduce the temperature of battery and prevent the gassing, also charging the battery slightly at the same time. The purpose of Float stage is to offset the power consumption caused by self consumption and small loads in the whole system, while maintaining full battery storage capacity.
  • Page 24 Every month 28 the controller will engender equalize charging stage. It will remain according to the set time when equalization is constant, or it will remain according to the self calculation of time when equalize charging accomplishes off and on. Equalize charge and boost charge are not carried out constantly in a full charge process to avoid too much gas precipitation or overheating of battery.

  • Page 25: Led Indication

    4.3 LED Indication Charging LED Indication System status Green ON Charging Green OFF No Charging Battery LED Indication Battery status Green ON Normal Orange ON Red ON Red Blink Fault LED Indication System status Red OFF Normal Red Blink Current Err Over Charging Current PV OVD Over Temp...

  • Page 26: Display & Operation

    Initialization When the controller is powered on, the LCD interface Welcome! displays the information as shown in the picture. It indicates that initialization is normal when the EPsolar interface goes automatically to the monitoring interface.  Main Menu There are totally 8 menus available with the ↑...
  • Page 27 ↓ Press to view this interface. Intraday maximum Day‟s Max.V voltage and minimum voltage will be shown in this 28.8V ↓ interface, press to view next interface, or press Day‟s Min.V ↑ to return to previous interface. 23.5V ↓ Press to view this interface.
  • Page 28 ↓ Press to view this interface. Controller inner Device Temp temperature (Near heat sink) and real time clock 25.9℃ (Y/M/D H/M/S) will be shown in this interface, press ↓ to view the first monitoring interface, or press 2012-1-10 12:12:12 ↑ to return to previous interface.
  • Page 29 This interface will pop out if you input correct password and press to save, and the controller Tip Message will run with new parameters. Otherwise, it will run Modify OK with default value if illegal parameter is set. You have to look over carefully and repeat setting operation.
  • Page 30 ↑ ↓ Press to change value. Press Boost Volt. Rect to move inverse cursor, this interface includes Boost 13.2V Volt. Rect Boost Voltage Reconnect and Under Volt. Rcvr Under Voltage Warning Recover Voltage Under Volt. Rcvr Parameters will be displayed as corresponding default 12.2V values after correct system voltage identification.
  • Page 31  System Para In main menu, when inverse cursor stays on the System Para Device ID , press to enter this interface. ↓ ↑ By pressing , you can view all M01-0000 parameters in 3 interfaces but no setting. In any Language 英文...
  • Page 32 ↑ ↓ Press to change value. Press to move inverse cursor. In this interface, backlight‟s ON time range is from 1 minute to 30 minutes, the Backlight Time default is 20 minutes, „--‟ means ON all the time 20Min Operational log (battery voltage or current, PV Storage Interval voltage or current, etc) can be automatically saved to 20Min...
  • Page 33 After correct password input, inverse cursor appears, and you can modify selected para. Press ↓ ↑ to change it, press to select to change Network Type parameter of other interfaces, press to confirm Manual to save, or press to exit setting. 2 kinds of Network Psw network type are available with left interface, which 000000...

  • Page 34: Clock Set

     Clock Set In main menu, when inverse cursor stays on the Clock Set Clock Set , press to enter this interface. 2012Y-03M-05D In left interface, not only press to return to main 13H: 45M: 58S menu but also press to change parameters.
  • Page 35 After selecting „From‟ and „To‟ time, press enter warning interface when at least one warning event occurs. In this interface, more information is NO. 00001/00073 offered: warning event sequence number, warning Batt UVW /Start event (OVD, UVW, LVD, Current Err, Over Current, 2012-01-10 14:32 Over Temp or PV OVD), start or end, occurrence...
  • Page 36 After correct password input, inverse cursor appears, and user can modify operation password. Press ↓ ↑ Modify Psw to change value. Press to move inverse cursor. In this interface, input old password Old Psw 000000 firstly, and then input expected new password twice. New Psw 000000 This password is the necessary verification for New Psw 000000...

  • Page 37: The Others

    After correct password input, inverse cursor appears, Default Set and user can select to restore defaults or not. ↑ ↓ Press to move inverse cursor. In this interface, select „Yes‟ to restore defaults, or „No‟ to cancel and remain current values. Tip Message This interface will pop out if you press to save,...

  • Page 38: Networking & Communication

    5.0 Networking & communication 5.1 Introduction CAUTION: Risk of Tampering! The eTracer doesn’t feature built-in network security. It is the responsibility of the user or network administrator to place the eTracer behind a network firewall to prevent unauthorized access. The Ethernet port supports HTTP, TCP/IP protocols to provide a fully web-enabled interface between the eTracer and a LAN network.

  • Page 39: Setting

    Web pages Connect the eTracer controller to the network using an Ethernet cable. Open a web browser on any PC on the network. Enter the IP address of the controller („192.168.1.2‟ by default) in the address bar of the web browser. The eTracer user login webpage will load.
  • Page 40 Real Time Data Click “Real Time Data” on the left side to view real-time operating parameters. Page...
  • Page 41 Ctr Para Set Click “Ctl Para Set” on the left side to enter Control Parameter Set page and the system will display the current control parameter configuration. Users can also modify control parameters. After users modify control parameters and click “submit”, if it is successfully adjusted, “OK”...
  • Page 42 Notes: If network type is DHCP, it is no need to configurate IP address; if it is Static IP, it needs to configurate system IP address. MAC address cannot be modified. 5) Log Query Click “Log Query” on the left side to enter Log Query page. Users can choose “Data Log”...
  • Page 43 Page...
  • Page 44 6) Password Click “Password” on the left side to enter password modification page. After enter the old and new passwords, the system will judge if the old password is right and if the new passwords entered twice is the same. If it is right, the system will present “OK”, otherwise, “Error”...

  • Page 45: Other Introductions

    Check log data eTracer only records daily data of recent 30 days and it always records standard data as below. The space which can be used to record data will reduce with the increase of stored data. General data: • Battery voltage •...
  • Page 46 The way to download program file: Turn off controller at first and make updating software on operation, which is as follows: ① Click “Browse” and choose the program file (type is LOF). If the file is not up to the requirements (wrong type, uncompleted or error with revision, etc), it will be prompted via dialogue box popping out.

  • Page 47: Protections, Troubleshooting & Maintenance

    6.0 Protections, Troubleshooting & Maintenance 6.1 Protections · PV Short Circuit If PV short circuit occurs, eTracer will stop charging. Clear it to resume normal operation. · PV Overcurrent If charging current is much more than rating, the controller will disconnect solar module(s).

  • Page 48: Troubleshooting

    6.2 Troubleshooting  Charging LED indicator off during daytime when sunshine falls on solar modules properly. Probable Cause：Solar modules disconnected. Solution：Confirm that PV and battery wire connections are correct and tight.  Battery LED indicator red flashing, LCD displaying „OVD‟. Probable Cause：Battery voltage larger than over voltage disconnect voltage (OVD).
  • Page 49  Cannot connect to the controller via RS-232. Probable Cause：RS-232 serial baud rate setting error or serial-USB adapter incorrect configuration. Solution：Check the following: 1.The RS-232 cable is straight-through, not a Null Modem (cross-over); 2.Whether the selected RS-232 serial baud rate is suited for your device;...

  • Page 50: Maintenance

    6.3 Maintenance The following inspections and maintenance tasks are recommended at least two times per year for best controller performance. Check that the controller is securely mounted in a clean and dry environment. Check that the air flow and ventilation around the controller is not blocked. Clear all dirt or fragments on the heat sink.

  • Page 51: Warranty

    7.0 Warranty The eTracer charge controller is warranted to be free from defects for a period of TWO (2) years from the date of shipment to the original end user. We will, at its option, repair or replace any such defective products. •...

  • Page 52: Specifications

    8.0 Specifications Electrical ET2415N ET3415N ET4415N ET6415N Nominal System Voltage 12V / 24V / 36V / 48V dc auto Nominal Battery Current Maximum Solar Input Voltage 150V dc Battery Voltage Range 8～72V dc Maximum Input Power 12V： 265W 400W 585W 800W 24V：...
  • Page 53 Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage: Upper limit：17V ∕ 12V; × 2 ∕ 24V; × 3 ∕ 36V; × 4 ∕ 48V Lower limit：15V ∕ 12V; × 2 ∕ 24V; × 3 ∕ 36V; × 4 ∕ 48V Default：16V ∕ 12V; ×2 ∕ 24V; ×3 ∕ 36V; ×4 ∕ 48V Charging Limit Voltage: Upper limit：16V ∕...
  • Page 54 Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage: Upper limit： 13.5V ∕ 12V; × 2 ∕ 24V; × 3 ∕ 36V; × 4 ∕ 48V Lower limit： 12.7V ∕ 12V; × 2 ∕ 24V; × 3 ∕ 36V; × 4 ∕ 48V Default：13.2V ∕ 12V; × 2 ∕ 24V; × 3 ∕ 36V; × 4 ∕ 48V Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage: Upper limit：...
  • Page 55 Mechanical ET2415N ET3415N ET4415N ET6415N Overall: Length： 206mm 231mm 285mm 285mm width： 203mm 203mm 203mm 203mm height： 105mm 105mm 105mm 121mm Mounting: Length： 150mm 150mm 200mm 200mm width： 193mm 193mm 193mm 193mm Net Weight: 2.6kg 4.14kg 4.4kg 5.0kg Terminal: 35mm 35mm 35mm 35mm...

  • Page 56: Dimensions

    ET2415 Dimensions（mm） Page...
  • Page 57 ET3415 Dimensions（mm） Page...
  • Page 58 ET4415 Dimensions（mm） Page...
  • Page 59 ET6415 Dimensions（mm） Page...
  • Page 64 BEIJING EPSOLAR TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. Tel：010-82894112 / 82894962 Fax：010-82894882 E-mail：info@epsolarpv.com Website: www.epsolarpv.com...

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