Windy Nation TrakMax 40 MPPT Solar Charge Controller - Manual (Page 12)

TrakMax 40 User Manual
Revision 1.0
Battery Type 12 Volt Units 24 Volt Units
Lead Acid 0.03 volts (30mv) per degree Celsius 0.06 volts (60mv) per degree Celsius
NiCad 0.02 volts (20mv) per degree Celsius 0.04 volts (40mv) per degree Celsius
3.9.2 Wiring the Battery Temperature Sensor (BTS)
1) Plug the provided RJ11 cable into the RJ11 socket labeled “BTS” located on the side of the TrakMax
as shown below.
2) Secure the BTS on the side of the battery below the electrolyte level as shown below. It is best to
place the sensor between batteries and place the batteries in an insulated box to reduce the
influence of the ambient temperature outside the battery enclosure.
CAUTION: High power electrical systems pose dangers and it is the user's responsibility to be familiar with
these dangers and take any necessary action to ensure safe use. Shorting a battery or connecting your
controller to a battery can supply huge currents and have serious consequences including explosions,
causing fire, damage to equipment, and personal injury.
4 OPERATION
4.1 M AXIMUM P OWER P OINT T RACKING (MPPT)
Maximum Power Point Tracking, frequently referred to as MPPT, is an electronic system that operates the
Photovoltaic (PV) modules in a manner that allows the PV modules to produce all the power they are
capable of producing.
MPPT and associated current boost operation is fully automatic and will function whenever sufficient PV
voltage and current are available. The percent increase in output charge current relative to PV current is
variable, and will change with operating conditions. When conditions are such that insufficient PV power is
available to produce an increase in output current, the unit will stop its internal DC-DC power conversion and
operate as a series pass PWM controller with very low forward voltage drop.
The principal operating conditions which affect current boost performance are PV array temperature and
battery voltage. At constant solar intensity, available PV power changes with PV temperature. A PV array’s
power vs. temperature characteristic is such that a cool PV array can produce a higher voltage and more
Page 12 of 20 windy nation 03/06/2013