Outback FM60 User Manual

Operation
22 900-0009-01-00 Rev D
Modes of Operation
The FLEXmax has 25 different modes that will display on the status screen. These messages
will vary with function. The FLEXmax modes consist of various charging stages, equalization,
various reasons for stopping charging, and certain specialized operating modes.
The amount of time required before starting operation is dependent on the module type,
ambient temperature, and the amount of sunlight directly on the PV array. Normally, the charge
controller starts operation in the morning within a few minutes of the PV array being exposed to
direct sunlight.
The FLEXmax modes of operation will change occasionally during the day based on the PV
array output and the battery system state of charge. The FLEXmax operating modes are
displayed at the bottom right hand corner of the status screen. See Figure 11.
Figure 14 shows an example of the various stages of operation during battery charging and the
messages shown during each stage. Battery charging is described in detail on page 98.
Figure 14 FLEXmax Battery Charging and Modes
Absorbing
The FLEXmax is in the Absorbing stage of a three-stage cycle, regulating the battery voltage at
the Absorbing voltage set point. While the batteries are held at this voltage, the ChgT counter
in the Misc menu counts up from zero toward the user-defined Absorb Time Limit. (See
pages 47 and 52.) The charger will exit this stage and enter the Float stage if the ChgT timer
reaches the time limit, or if the Absorb End Amps setting is reached.
If the battery voltage drops below the Absorbing voltage (see page 29), the FLEXmax reverts
back to the Bulk charge stage and displays MPPT Bulk as shown on page 24. The ChgT
counter will begin counting back toward zero. Lower voltages will cause the timer to subtract
minutes at a faster rate, as shown on Table 1 on page 23.