Unloaded; Wakeup; Zzzzz; Initial Operation - Alpha Group OutBack Power FLEXmax Series Owner's Manual

Operation

Unloaded

The battery terminals have become disconnected. This may mean that the battery circuit breaker
breaker has tripped. It can also appear if the nominal battery voltage is set too low.

Wakeup

As the PV open circuit voltage (Voc) rises above the battery system voltage by two volts, the FLEXmax
prepares to deliver power to the batteries, although it does not perform MPPT in this mode. During
this period (initial tracking), the FLEXmax is calculating the PWM duty cycles, turning on power supply
voltages in the proper sequences, and making internal calibrations. It also measures a new Voc at this
time. In Wakeup, the daily statistics of a single FLEXmax (amp-hours, kilowatt-hours, etc.), will
accumulate into the total statistics. The daily statistics and the end-of-day summary will clear, and the
controller will begin logging a new "day". A FLEXmax combined with a HUB and a MATE will log this
information at midnight. On the MATE3, the data logging will occur at the interval scheduled in the
MATE3 data logging parameters.

Zzzzz...

The FLEXmax will display Zzzzz... after 3 hours of continuous Sleeping. This transition indicates that
the controller recognizes it is night. It will perform Wakeup when voltage is available (see above).

Initial Operation

Status
Screen
In 113.6V 0.0 A
Out 12.5V 0.0 A
0.000 kW 0.0 kWH
AUX: OFF Sleeping
Scr
Status een
In 000.0V 0.0 A
Out 12.5V 0.0 A
0.000 kW 0.0 kWH
AUX: OFF Sleeping

Changing the Settings on the FLEXmax

Accessing the Main Menu

The main menu allows the user to adjust and calibrate the FLEXmax for maximum performance.
From the status screen, press SK1 to
open the main menu screen.
To return to the status screen from the
main menu, press <EXIT>
(also SK1).
24
Turn the PV input circuit breaker ON. The FLEXmax automatically detects the
PV input voltage.
The FLEXmax enters Wakeup, transitions to Tracking, and prepares to
charge the batteries by tracking the maximum power point of the solar array.
During the initial tracking, the input PV source is gradually loaded from the
open-circuit voltage (Voc) to ½ of the Voc. Within this range, the FLEXmax
seeks the maximum power point.
When the FLEXmax goes into Re-Cal, Auto Restart, or Wakeup, modes,
among other conditions, it performs an initial tracking.
If PV voltage registers 000V when the PV circuit breaker is
ON, check the polarity of the PV connections.
Figure 15 Initial Operation
Status Screen
In 113.6V
Out 12.5V
0.000 kW 0.0 kWH
AUX: OFF
Figure 16 Accessing the Main Menu
Charger
0.0 A
0.0 A
EQ
Logging
Sleeping
EXIT
Main Menu
Aux Light
Misc Advanced
Stats
 
GO
C
900-0009-01-00 Rev