Morningstar RM-1 User manual
REMOTE METERTM
Installation and Operation Manual
….
Digital Remote Meter for
Monitoring System Performance
….
Version: RM-1
1098 Washington Crossing Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977 USA
www.morningstarcorp.com
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REMOTE METER DIMENSIONS
In Wall Mount
Frame Mount
inches (mm)
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Contents
1.0 Important Safety Instructions ..........................................................................................4
2.0 General Information..........................................................................................................5
3.0 Installation.........................................................................................................................6
3.1 Frame Mount...................................................................................................................6
3.2 In Wall Mount...................................................................................................................8
4.0 Operation.........................................................................................................................10
4.1 Meter Menus..................................................................................................................10
4.2 Buttons ..........................................................................................................................11
4.3 Icon Definitions..............................................................................................................11
4.4 Meter Options Menu......................................................................................................12
4.5 Self Diagnostics (Self-Test) Menu.................................................................................13
4.6 Clear Counters, Min/Max Values...................................................................................13
5.0 Trouble shooting.............................................................................................................14
6.0 Limited Warranty.............................................................................................................15
7.0 Technical Specifications ................................................................................................16
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1.0 Important Safety Instructions
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
This manual contains important safety, installation and operating instructions for the Morningstar
Remote Meter.
The following symbols are used throughout this manual to indicate potentially dangerous
conditions or important safety instructions.
WARNING: Indicates a potentially dangerous condition. Use extreme caution when
performing this task.
CAUTION: Indicates a critical procedure for safe and proper operation of the
controller.
NOTE: Indicates a procedure or function that is important for the safe and proper
operation of the controller.
General Safety Information
•Read all instructions and cautions in the manual before starting the installation.
•There are no user serviceable parts inside the RM-1. Do not disassemble or attempt to
repair the meter electronics.
•There are no fuses or disconnects in the RM-1.
•Do not allow water to enter the RM-1.
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2.0 General Information
Thank you for selecting the Morningstar Remote Meter (RM-1) digital display. The RM-1 is an
accessory for compatible Morningstar controllers and inverters.
The meter features a large 4-digit display and custom icons. The RM-1 provides comprehensive
system information including voltage, current, and temperature. A Status LED indicates charging
progress and controller operating state. Three (3) battery state-of-charge LEDs provide quick
reference to the level of charge on the system battery. Soft buttons allow for easy navigation of
the meter menus. The RM-1 also features self-diagnostics and error reporting for
troubleshooting.
RM-1 software may be updated in the future to support new products. For questions concerning
RM-1 compatibility with Morningstar controllers and inverters, please visit our website at:
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/
The software version can be found in the Self Diagnostics menu.
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3.0 Installation
The RM-1 can be added to a compatible Morningstar controller or inverter when it is first
installed, or at anytime after the controller or inverter has been in service. The meter can be
mounted in two ways: Frame Mount or In Wall Mount. A plastic mounting frame is included for
Frame Mount installations.
3.1 Frame Mount
Mount the RM-1 on a surface using the plastic mounting frame (included). No cut-outs in
the surface are required except for four (4) screw holes.
Tools and Materials Required:
9drill
93/32” drill bit (2.35 mm bit)
9mounting frame (included)
9(4) #8 x 1-3/4” screws (included)
9small hammer
9level
9safety glasses
Figure 1. Surface mounting
CAUTION: BEFORE installation connect the RM-1 to the Morningstar controller or
inverter. Apply power and verify that the RM-1 is working properly. Resolve any issues
before installing the meter and meter cable.
Step 1 Place the mounting frame against the wall or mounting surface in the desired location.
Use a level to level the frame.
Step 2 Hold the leveled mounting frame in place on the wall with one hand. Place one of the #8
1-3/4” screws into a screw hole on the frame. Lightly tap the screw head with a hammer to mark
the hole location. Repeat for the remaining three (3) screw holes.
WARNING: BEFORE DRILLING, check the other side of the surface for electrical
wiring, pipes or other obstacles that may interfere with the meter installation. Adjust
meter location if necessary.
Step 3 Remove the frame. Using a drill and 3/32” (2.5 mm) drill bit, drill a 1” (25 mm) deep pilot
hole at each of the four (4) marks from step 1. Don’t forget to wear safety glasses!
Step 4 Thread one end of the meter cable through the mounting frame and then plug it into the
RM-1.
NOTE: The RM-1 is provided with 10m (33 ft) of meter cable. If needed, the cable
may be extended or replaced with regular phone cable. The phone cable must have
at least 4 conductors, however 6-conductor cable is recommended.
Step 5 The mounting frame is notched to allow the meter cable to exit the frame. Orient the
notch in the preferred location. Seat the meter into the mounting frame. Align the four holes on
the meter with the four screw holes on the frame. Align the frame holes with the four holes
drilled into the mounting surface. Insert the four (4) #8 1-3/4” screws provided into each of the
aligned holes but DO NOT TIGHTEN ALL THE WAY.
Step 6 Maneuver the meter cable so that it exits the frame through the notch in the frame. Hold
the frame firmly against the mounting surface so that the cable cannot shift away from the notch.
Fully tighten all four screws.
Step 7 Route the cable from the RM-1 to the controller or inverter. Secure the cable to the
mounting surface with staples or wire clips. Do not staple through the wire!
The cable should be protected from sharp edges, foot traffic, water/liquids, and extreme heat.
Use grommets and wire loom as necessary.
Do not run the meter cable directly parallel to power cables.
Step 8 Bundle and secure the excess cable where convenient.
Step 9 Plug the other end of the meter cable into the Controller or inverter. Verify that the meter
powers up and begins displaying data. See the troubleshooting section for help if needed.
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3.2 In Wall Mount
The In Wall mount method is a low-profile installation. The RM-1 faceplate sits flush with
the mounting surface and the body of the meter rests in a hole cut-out in the mounting
surface. The meter wiring is concealed behind the mounting surface or the interior of the
wall.
Tools and Materials Required:
9drill
9philips screwdriver
93” hole saw (75 mm hole saw)
9level
93/32” Drill bit (2.35 mm bit)
9(4) #8 x ¾” screws (included)
9safety glasses
Figure 2. In Wall mounting
CAUTION: BEFORE installation connect the RM-1 to the Morningstar controller or
inverter. Apply power and verify that the RM-1 is working properly. Resolve any issues
before installing the meter and meter cable.
Step 1 Locate the desired meter location on the mounting surface. Be sure there is sufficient
room for the faceplate. Mark the center location of the meter with a pencil or pen.
WARNING: BEFORE DRILLING, check the other side of the surface for electrical
wiring, pipes or other obstacles that may interfere with the meter installation. Adjust
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meter location if necessary.
Step 2 Using a drill and 3” (75 mm or 76 mm) hole saw, cut a hole centered on the mark on the
surface from step 1. Don’t forget to wear safety glasses!
Step 3 Insert the RM-1 body into the hole cut-out in the surface. Level the meter faceplate.
Using a pencil or pen, mark the location of the four (4) mounting holes.
Step 4 Remove the meter from the cut-out. Using a drill and 3/32” drill bit, drill a 1” deep pilot
hole at each of the four (4) marks.
Step 5 Connect one end of the RJ-11 meter cable into the RJ-11 connector on the controller or
inverter. Route the cable from the controller or inverter to the RM-1.
The cable should be protected from sharp edges, foot traffic, water/liquids, and extreme heat.
Use grommets and wire loom as necessary.
Do not run the meter cable directly parallel to power cables.
If the back of the mounting surface is not accessible, fish tape or a coat hanger may be
necessary to pull the meter cable up through the hole cut-out.
NOTE: The RM-1 is provided with 30’ of meter cable. If needed, the cable can be
extended or replaced with regular phone cable. The phone cable must have at least 4
conductors however 6-conductor cable is recommended.
Step 6 Plug the remaining end of the meter cable into the RM-1. Verify that the meter powers up
and begins displaying information.
Step 7 Bundle and secure the excess cable. Push the excess cable back through the hole cut-
out. Insert the meter body back into the cut-out.
Step 8 Align the faceplate mounting holes with the pilot holes drilled in step 4. Using a Philips
screwdriver, secure the meter to the surface using the four (4) #8 x ¾” screws provided.
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4.0 Operation
4.1 Meter Menu
System information is arranged in rows as shown in the example meter menu in figure 3
below. Each row contains information related to a specific input or output (Solar, Battery,
Load, etc). Use the “L” and “R” arrow buttons to view each screen in a row of information.
After navigating to the last screen in a row, another advance in the same direction returns
the user to the first screen of the row.
Each row of information is stacked vertically. Moving down to the next row requires one
press of the “C” button. Pressing the “C” button on the last row returns the user to the top
row.
Each row of information has a designated Main Screen. When advancing down to the
next row of information, the Main Screen for the row will be the first screen displayed.
This feature can be disabled in the Meter Options Menu. See section 4.4 for more
information.
Meter Maps are included which detail the exact information displayed for each supported
product.
Figure 3. Example meter menu
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