Epever Tracer1206AN User manual

MPPT Solar controller

User Manual

Model

Tracer1206AN/Tracer2206AN

Tracer1210AN/Tracer2210AN

Tracer3210AN/Tracer4210AN

Important Safety Instructions

Please reserve this manual for future review.

This manual contains safety, installation, and operation instructions for the Tracer-AN

series MPPT solar controller ("controller" referred to in this manual).

Read all the instructions and warnings carefully in the manual before installation.

No user-serviceable components inside the controller; please do not disassemble or

attempt to repair the controller.

Mount the controller indoors. Avoid exposure to the components and do not allow

water to enter the controller.

Install the controller in a well-ventilated place; the controller's heat sink may become

very hot during operation.

We suggest installing appropriate external fuses/breakers.

Ensure to switch off PV array connections and the battery fuse/breakers before

controller installation and adjustment.

Power connections must remain tight to avoid excessive heating from a loose

connection.

 
 
Contents 
General Information........................................................................ 1 
1 Overview........................................................................................................ 1 
2 Characteristics ............................................................................................... 2 
3 Naming rules.................................................................................................. 3 
4 Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology................................................... 3 
5 Battery charging stage.................................................................................... 4 
Installation....................................................................................... 7 
1 Attentions....................................................................................................... 7 
2 Requirements for the PV array........................................................................ 7 
3 Wire size........................................................................................................ 9 
4 Mounting...................................................................................................... 11 
Operation....................................................................................... 14 
1 Buttons......................................................................................................... 14 
2 Interface....................................................................................................... 14 
3 Setting.......................................................................................................... 16 
Others............................................................................................. 23 
1 Protections................................................................................................... 23 
2 Troubleshooting............................................................................................ 24 
3 Maintenance................................................................................................. 26 
Specifications................................................................................ 27 
Annex I Conversion Efficiency Curves........................................... 29 
 
 

1 General Information

1.1 Overview

Adopting the advanced MPPT control algorithm, Tracer-AN solar controller can minimize the maximum

power point loss rate and loss time. It makes this product tracks the PV array's maximum power point

and obtains maximum energy under any situation. Compared with the PWM charging method, MPPT

solar controllers can increase the energy utilization ratio by 10%-30%. Charging current limit, charging

power limit, and high temperature charging automatic power reduction; these functions fully ensure

system stability when access to excess PV modules and high temperature running. Increase a

professional protection chip for the RS485 port, which further improves the reliability and meets the

different application requirements.

Based on a digital control circuit, the Tracer-AN series controller owns a self-adaptive three-stage

charging mode. It can effectively prolong the battery lifespan and significantly improve the system's

performance. They are equipped with comprehensive electronic protections to ensure the solar system

more reliable and more durable. This controller can be widely used for RV, household systems, field

monitoring, and many other applications.

Features:

Advanced MPPT, with efficiency no less than 99.5%

Ultra-fast tracking speed and guaranteed tracking efficiency

Advanced MPPT control algorithm to minimize the MPPT loss rate and loss time

Accurate recognizing and tracking technology of multi-peaks maximum power point

Maximum DC/DC conversion efficiency of 98%

Automatic limitation of the charging current and charging power

Wider MPPT working voltage range

Support the lead-acid and lithium batteries; voltage parameters can be set on the controller

Programmable temperature compensation feature.

Real-time energy statistics function

High temperature charging automatic power reduction function

Multiple load work modes

High quality and low failure rate components of ST or IR to ensure the service life

100% charging and discharging in the environment temperature range

Standard Modbus communication protocol based on the RS485 communication bus, making the

communication distance longer

A power protection chip, which can provide 5VDC/200mA power and over-current, short-circuit

protections, is adopted by the communication interface

Support monitoring and setting the parameters via the APP or PC software

Comprehensive electronic protection

For the BCV, FCV, LVD, and LVR, users can modify them on the local controller when the

battery type is "USE."

1.2 Characteristics

Figure 1-1 Product Characteristics

❶

SELECT button

❻

RS485 port

❷

RTS interface

❼

Mounting Hole Φ5mm

❸

PV Terminals

❽

ENTER button

❹

Battery terminals

❾

LCD

❺

Load terminals

★Suppose the remote temperature sensor is not connected to the controller or damaged. In that

case, the controller will charge or discharge the battery at the default temperature setting of 25

ºC (no temperature compensation).

1.3 Naming rules

Tracer 1 2 10 AN

Product Series

Charge & discharge current10A

System Voltage12/24VDC

Max. PV open circuit voltage 100V

Common Negative System

1.4 Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology

Due to the nonlinear characteristics of the solar array, there is a maximum energy output point (Max

Power Point) on its curve. Traditional controllers, equipped with switch charging technology and PWM

charging technology, can't charge the battery at the maximum power point and cannot obtain the

maximum energy available from the PV array. In contrast, the solar charge controller with Maximum

Power Point Tracking (MPPT) Technology can lock the point to obtain the maximum energy and deliver it

to the battery.

Our company's MPPT algorithm continuously compares and adjusts the operating points to locate the

array's maximum power point. The tracking process is fully automatic and does not need the user's

adjustment.

As Figure 1-2, the curve is also the array's characteristic curve; the MPPT technology will 'boost' the

battery charge current through tracking the MPP. Assuming 100% conversion efficiency exist in the solar

system, the following formula is established:

Input power (PPV)= Output power (PBat)

Input voltage (VMpp) *input current (IPV) =Battery voltage (VBat) *battery current (IBat)

Normally, the VMpp is always higher than VBat. Due to the principle of energy conservation, the IBat is

always higher than IPV. The greater the difference between VMpp &VBat, the greater the difference between

IPV& IBat. The greater the difference between the array and the battery will also decrease the system

conversion efficiency. Therefore, the controller's conversion efficiency is particularly important in the PV

system.

Figure 1-2 is the maximum power point curve, whose shaded area is the traditional solar charge

controller (PWM Charging Mode). It is known that the MPPT mode can improve solar PV usage.

According to the test, the MPPT controller can raise 20%-30% efficiency compared to the PWM

controller. (Specified value may be fluctuant due to the influence of the circumstance and energy loss.)

Figure 1-2 Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology

In actual application, as shading from cloud, tree, and snow, the panel may appear Multi-MPP. However,

in actuality, there is only one real Maximum Power Point. As the below Figure 1-3 shows:

Figure 1-3 Mutil-MPP Curve

Suppose the program works improperly after appearing Multi-MPP. In that case, the system will not work

on the real max power point, which may waste most solar energy resources and seriously affect the

system's normal operation. The typical MPPT algorithm, designed by our company, can track the real

MPP quickly and accurately. It can improve the PV array's utilization rate and avoid resource waste.

1.5 Battery charging stage

The controller has a three-stage battery charging algorithm, including Bulk Charging, Constant Charging,

and Float Charging. Through the three-stage charging method, the system can extend the battery's

lifespan.

Figure 1-4 Battery charging stage curve

A) Bulk Charging

The battery voltage has not yet reached constant voltage (Equalize or Boost Charging Voltage). The

controller operates in constant current mode, delivering its maximum current to the batteries (MPPT

Charging). When the battery voltage reaches the constant voltage set point, the controller will start to

operate in constant charging mode.

B) Constant Charging

When the battery voltage reaches the constant voltage set point, the controller will start to operate in

constant charging mode. The MPPT charging stops during this process, and the charging current will

drop gradually at the same time. Constant charging has two stages, namely, equalize charging and

boost charging. These two charging processes are not repeated. Among them, equalize charging starts

on the 28th of each month.

Boost Charging

The default duration of the boost charging stage is generally 2 hours. Customers can also adjust the

constant time and preset value according to actual needs. When the duration is equal to the set value,

the system will switch to the float charging stage.

Equalize Charging

WARNING

Explosive Risk! Equalizing flooded batteries would produce explosive gases, so well

ventilation of the battery box is recommended.

CAUTION

Equipment damage!

Equalization may increase battery voltage to the level that damages sensitive

DC loads. Verify that the load's allowable input voltages are greater than the

equalizing charging setpoint voltage.

Over-charging and excessive gas precipitation may damage the battery plates

and activate material shedding on them. Too high an equalize charging or for too

long may cause damage. Please carefully review the specific requirements of

the battery used in the system.

Some battery types benefit from equalizing charging, stirring electrolytes, balancing battery voltage, and

accomplishing chemical reactions. Equalize charging increases the battery voltage to make it higher than

the standard complement voltage, gasifying the battery electrolyte.

If the controller automatically controls the next charge for equalizing charging, the equalizing charging

time is 120 minutes. Equalize charge and boost charge are not carried out constantly in a full charge

process to avoid too much gas precipitation or overheating of the battery.

CAUTION:

Due to the installation environment or load work, the system may not stabilize

the battery voltage at a constant voltage. The controller will accumulate the time

when the battery voltage is equal to the set value. When the accumulative time

is equal to 3 hours, the system will automatically switch to float charging.

If the controller time is not adjusted, the controller will equalize charging

following the inner time.

C) Float Charging

After the constant charging stage, the controller will reduce the battery voltage to the float charging

preset voltage by reducing the charging current. During the floating charge stage, the battery is charged

weakly to ensure that the battery is maintained in a fully charged state. In the float charging stage, loads

can obtain almost all power from the solar panel. Suppose loads' power exceeds the solar array's power.

In that case, the controller will no longer maintain the battery voltage in the float charging stage. When

the battery voltage goes lower than the set value of the boost recharge voltage, the system will exit the

float charging stage and enter the bulk charging stage again.

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