Installation Guide

53TriStar MPPT Operator’s Manual
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Networking and Communication
5.2 Morningstar MeterBus
TM
Morningstar’s proprietary MeterBus
TM
protocol allows communication between compatible
Morningstar products. Use a MeterBus
TM
network to:
• display net system data for multiple TriStar / TriStar MPPT 150V systems**
• communicate with a TriStar Digital Meter 2 or TriStar Remote Meter 2
• communicate with a Relay Driver or other compatible Morningstar accessories (see sec-
tion 2.5 for more details)
**A Morningstar MeterBus Hub (HUB-1) and either a TriStar Digital Meter 2 (TS-M-2) or TriStar Remote Meter 2 (TS-RM-2) are
required, not included.
A MeterBus Hub (model: HUB-1) is required for MeterBus networks containing multiple
TriStar MPPT 150V controllers. The ports on the hub are electrically isolated to prevent dam-
age in the event of broken grounds or voltage differences between controllers. Figure 5-1 below
shows an example MeterBus
TM
network with two (2) TriStar MPPT 150V controllers and a TriStar
Remote Meter 2 (TS-RM2).
MeterBus
TM
Network Hub
TriStar
Remote Meter
TriStar-MPPT
Controllers
Figure 5-1. An example MeterBus network.
Up to ve (5) controllers can be networked together with a single hub. Multiple hubs can be
daisy-chained together to allow networks of up to 14 controllers and a meter.
Refer to the HUB-1 and TriStar Meter manuals for more information about Morningstar Meter-
Bus
TM
networking.
5.3 Serial RS-232
The serial port connection on the TriStar MPPT 150V is a standard 9-pin isolated RS-232 port.
See gure 3-5 for the port location.The TriStar MPPT 150V communicates through the serial port
via the open standard MODBUS
TM
protocol.
Connect the TriStar MPPT 150V to the serial port on a PC to:
• program custom charge settings with MSView
TM
PC software
• view real-time data with MSView
TM
PC software
• log real-time data with MSView
TM
PC software
• congure ethernet settings
• update controller rmware with MSLoad
TM
rmware utility
NOTE:
The RS-232 and EIA-485 ports share hardware. Both ports cannot be used simultaneously.
NOTE:
If your PC does not have a serial port, a USB to Serial cable can be purchased at your local
electronics retailer.
The serial connection is ideal for conguring custom settings or monitoring a single
TriStar MPPT 150V controller. Figure 5-2 shows a serial connection between the controller and a
PC with MSView
TM
PC software.
Serial Cable
Figure 5-2. A serial connection between a PC and the TriStar MPPT 150V