Blue Sky 1524iX User Manual

SOLAR BOOST™ 1524iX

15 AMP 24VDC / 20 AMP 12VDC MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING

PHOTOVOLTAIC CHARGE CONTROLLER

INSTALLATION AND OPERATION

MANUAL

THIS MANUAL INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR MODEL SB1524iX

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

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Blue Sky Energy - Solar Boost 1524iX

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS................................................................................................................................ 2

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Features Omitted in the Solar Boost 1524i ............................................................................................................ 3

Part Numbers and Options..................................................................................................................................... 3

OPERATION ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Charge Status Indicator.......................................................................................................................................... 3

Auxiliary Output Indicator ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Optional Remote Displays...................................................................................................................................... 3

Three Stage Charge Control .................................................................................................................................. 3

Bulk Charge ................................................................................................................................... 3

Acceptance Charge........................................................................................................................ 4

Float Charge .................................................................................................................................. ..4

Two Stage Charge Control..................................................................................................................................... 4

Equalization............................................................................................................................................................ 4

Current Limit........................................................................................................................................................... 4

Optional Temperature Compensation .................................................................................................................... 5

Maximum Setpoint Voltage Limit............................................................................................................................ 5

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) ............................................................................................................... 5

Panel Temperature and Output Power................................................................................................................... 5

Multiple Charge Controllers On The IPN Network.................................................................................................. 5

INSTALLATION....................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Electrostatic Handling Precautions......................................................................................................................... 6

Battery and PV Voltage.......................................................................................................................................... 6

Selecting PV Modules ............................................................................................................................................ 6

As Shipped Factory Default Settings...................................................................................................................... 6

Equalize Enable ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Battery Temperature Sensor.................................................................................................................................. 6

Battery and PV Wiring............................................................................................................................................ 7

Auxiliary Output...................................................................................................................................................... . 7

Auxiliary Battery Charge ................................................................................................................ 8

Load Controller............................................................................................................................... 8

Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting Control ...................................................................................................... 8

Installing a Multi-Controller System........................................................................................................................ 8

IPN Network Address..................................................................................................................... 9

Mounting................................................................................................................................................................. 9

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE................................................................................................................................................10

SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................................................................... 11

ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY......................................................................................................................................... 11

TABLES AND FIGURES

Table 1 Charge Status Indicator ................................................................................................................. 3

Table 2 Maximum Conductor Length - 3% Voltage Drop..............................................................................7

Figure 1 Front Panel Indicators.................................................................................................................... 4

Figure 2 Factory Charge Voltage Setpoint -vs.- Battery Temperature......................................................... 5

Figure 3 Setup and Wiring Diagram............................................................................................................. 7

Figure 4 Auxiliary Output Wiring................................................................................................................... 8

Figure 5 IPN Network Wiring........................................................................................................................ 9

Figure 6 Detailed Dimensional Drawing....................................................................................................... 9

Installation and Operation Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

This manual contains important instructions for Model SB1524iX

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Refer installation and servicing to qualified service personnel. High voltage is present inside unit. Incorrect installation or use may result in risk of electric shock or fire. No user serviceable parts in this unit.

2. To reduce the risk of electric shock, fire or personal injury, the following symbols are placed throughout this manual to indicate dangerous conditions, or important safety or operational instructions.

WARNING CAUTION IMPORTANT

)

Indicates dangerous conditions or electric

shock potential. Use extreme caution.

Indicates items critical to safe installation or

operation of the unit.

3. PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

a) Working in the vicinity of lead-acid batteries is dangerous. Batteries produce explosive gasses during normal operation. b) To reduce risk of battery explosion, follow these instructions and those published by battery manufacturer and manufacturer of any equipment you intend

to use in vicinity of battery. c) Someone should be within range of your voice or close enough to come to your aid when you work near a lead-acid battery. d) Have plenty of fresh water and soap nearby in case battery acid contacts skin, clothing or eyes. e) Wear complete eye protection and clothing protection. Avoid touching eyes while working near battery. f) If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters eye, immediately flood eye with running cold water for at

least 15 minutes and get medical attention immediately. g) NEVER SMOKE or allow a spark or flame in vicinity of battery. h) Be extra cautious to reduce risk of dropping metal tool onto battery. It might spark or short circuit battery or other electrical part that may cause explosion. i) Remove personal metal items such as rings, bracelets and watches when working with a lead-acid battery. A lead-acid battery can produce a short circuit

current high enough to weld a ring or the like to metal, causing a severe burn. j) Remove all sources of power, photovoltaic and battery before servicing or installing.

4. CHARGER LOCATION & INSTALLATION

a) This unit is designed to charge 12V (6-cell) or 24V (12-cell) flooded or sealed type lead-acid chemistry batteries within the range of 10 to 5,000 amp-

hours. Follow battery manufacturers charging recommendations when considering this unit for use with other battery chemistry.

b) This unit employs components that tend to produce arcs or sparks. NEVER install in battery compartment or in the presence of explosive gases. c) This unit must be installed and wired in accordance with National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70. d) Over current protection for the battery must be provided externally. To reduce the risk of fire, connect to a circuit provided with 25 amperes maximum

branch-circuit over current protection in accordance with National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

e) Over current protection for the auxiliary load control output or auxiliary battery charge output must be provided externally. To reduce the risk of fire,

connect to load or auxiliary battery with 25 amperes maximum over current protection in accordance with National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.

f) Insure that unit is properly configured for the battery being charged. g) This unit is not water tight. Do not expose to rain, snow or excessive moisture. h) Insure all terminating connections are clean and tight. Battery, PV and Auxiliary Output terminals are to be tightened to 9 in-lb (1 nm). IPN Network and

battery temperature sensor compression terminals are to be tightened to 2.1 in-lb (0.24 nm).

i) Do not connect to a PV array capable of producing greater than 16A short circuit current for 12V systems, or 12A short circuit for 24V systems. Limit

input short circuit current to 6A if the 24V input 12V output mode is used or 8A if the 18V input 12V output mode is used.

j) This unit is not provided with a GFDI (ground-fault detector/interrupter) device and must be used with an external GFDI device as required by Article 690

of National Electrical Code for the installation location.

5. PREPARING TO CHARGE

a) Never charge a frozen battery. b) Be sure battery is mounted in a well ventilated compartment. c) Add distilled water in each cell of a lead-acid battery until battery acid reaches level specified by battery manufacturer.

Follow these instructions closely for proper

operation of the unit

Blue Sky Energy - Solar Boost 1524iX

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Solar Boost™ 1524iX is a 12V or 24V multi-stage Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) photovoltaic battery charge controller capable delivering up

to 15 amps or 20 amps depending on PV modules and battery voltage. An auxiliary output can serve as either a 2A auxiliary battery charger, or as a load controller with or without variable Dusk-to-Dawn lighting control. The 1524 includes an IPN Network interface which allows multiple charge controllers to communicate with each other and operate as a single charging machine.

Through the use of patented MPPT technology the 1524 can increase charge current up to 30% or more compared to conventional controllers. The 1524’s sophisticated three stage charge control system improves battery performance and life while minimizing battery maintenance. The unit is fully protected against voltage transients, over temperature, over current, reverse battery and reverse PV connections.

PART NUMBERS AND OPTIONS

• SB1524iX ...........Solar Boost 1524iX charge controller • IPNPRO-S ..........IPN-ProRemote with required 500A/50mV current shunt

• IPNPRO .............IPN-ProRemote display & battery monitor • IPNREM ............. IPN-Remote display

• CS-500 ............... 500A/50mV current shunt • 930-0039-01 ....... Deluxe mounting box, black powder coated

• 930-0022-20 ....... Battery temperature sensor

OPERATION

Charge control and MPPT operation are fully automatic. At night when PV power production stops, the PV array is disconnected from the battery to

prevent unwanted current drain eliminating the need for external blocking diodes. There is a 5 second turn-on delay, and a 45 second turn-off delay.

¾ The 1524 operates on battery power, not PV power. A battery must be connected with a minimum voltage of 9V for the unit to

)

CHARGE STATUS INDICATOR

A charge status indicator is provided on the face of the 1524, and on the optional remote displays. If net battery charge current is greater than ≈3 to 5 amps per 100 amp-hours of battery capacity the charge status indicator can provide a rough indication of battery state of charge.

AUXILIARY OUTPUT INDICATOR

An Auxiliary Output indicator labeled LOAD is provided on the face of the 1524. The indicator will be ON when the auxiliary output is ON providing power to a load, or charging an auxiliary battery. Auxiliary Output status can also be viewed on the IPN-ProRemote.

OPTIONAL REMOTE DISPLAYS

There are two available remote displays, the low cost IPN-Remote and the full featured IPN-ProRemote. The IPN-Remote is a basic 3-digit low power LED type voltage, current and charge mode display without setup or control capability. The full featured IPN-ProRemote provides setup capability and enhanced monitoring of charge controllers on the IPN network. It also provides a complete battery system monitor with various amp-hour counters and a highly accurate “fuel gage” type battery level indicator.

THREE STAGE CHARGE CONTROL

higher charge voltage to charge the battery quickly and safely. Once the battery is fully charged a somewhat lower voltage is applied to maintain the battery in a fully charged state without excessive water loss. Three stage charge improves battery performance and life while minimizing battery maintenance.

current as possible to rapidly recharge the battery and drive battery voltage up to the Acceptance Charge Voltage setpoint.

operate.

CHARGE STATUS INDICATOR

CHARGE STATUS INDICATOR CHARGE MODE APPROXIMATE CHARGE LEVEL

OFF CHARGE OFF

CONTINUOUSLY ON BULK <70% FULL

BLINKING • 1 SEC ON / 1 SEC OFF

BLINKING • 0.2 SEC ON / 1 SEC OFF RAPID BLINKING • 0.2 SEC ON / 0.2 SEC OFF

ACCEPTANCE 70% - 95% FULL

FLOAT FULLY CHARGED

EQUALIZE

TABLE 1

The 1524 is factory configured for a three stage charging process, Bulk, Acceptance and Float. The three stage charge process provides a somewhat

Bulk Charge

The 1524 will be in Bulk charge when battery voltage is below the Acceptance Charge Voltage setpoint. During Bulk the 1524 delivers as much charge

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