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Texas_Two_Stepp's avatar
Texas_Two_Stepp
Explorer
Aug 30, 2016

Confused about my solar charging

I have a Magnum 2000 Inverter/charger with remote display, a Trimetric monitor and a Morningstar Tristar Ts-45 controller. I am currently plugged into 120v. This morning I noticed that my Magnum display was showing a voltage display of 15.5 which is indicative of equalization voltage. I was concerned in that I had not initiated the equalization process and the Magnum display panel did not show to be equalizing. I unplugged from solar and the voltage dropped to 13.7v so I assume that the process was initiated by the Tristar. The Tristar dp switch positions are as follows: 1-2 off, 3-4 on, 5 off, 6 on, 7-8 off. Could the Tristar be bringing on the equalization voltage even though switch 7 is set for equalization to be manual? Also, I assume that when plugged into shore power the Magnum charger will default to the Tristar charger when solar is active. Any help will be appreciated.

8 Replies

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  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Aug 30, 2016
    50F shouldn't cause it to spike above 15 unless both Absorption voltage and temperature compensation factor are set too high. That is, if Tristar controllers have adjustable Tcomp factor. My MPPT does.

    Reset it like SMK suggested.
  • Texas_Two_Stepp's avatar
    Texas_Two_Stepp
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2016
    I am not in Texas but in northern NM with nights around 50 and days around 80. Still don't think that would account for 15.5v.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2016
    15.5V is not going to hurt 4 Trojan 105's but if it were mine I'd like to know what's happening too.
  • Diesel_Camper's avatar
    Diesel_Camper
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2016
    The Morningstar will adjust the charging voltage based on ambient temperature either at the controller or at the batteries if you have the extra probe. On cold days it will raise the set charging voltage and warm days it will drop the voltage. I'm not convinced this is your issue during summer in Texas though...
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Aug 30, 2016
    There is a sequence to changing the switches IIRC. May need to power down, switch as needed, then power up for the settings to take place. s/b in the manual. Maybe when the settings were initiated this was not followed.

    Longshot but that is all I have.

    Also consider MS View software for custom program. WAY more flexible than the dip switches. I believe there is an absolute cap to protect equipment. Mine is set at 14.9 volts. (MPPT-60)
  • Trackrig's avatar
    Trackrig
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2016
    Almot wrote:
    Morningstar controller is the culprit.
    Or a cold weather - though this doesn't sound like TX summer.


    Almot - I don't understand what your mean by cold weather?

    Bill
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Aug 30, 2016
    Morningstar controller is the culprit.
    Or a cold weather - though this doesn't sound like TX summer.
  • Colo_Native's avatar
    Colo_Native
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2016
    I looked at the book and you are correct in the dip switch 7 off for manual. Don't have an answer as to why it is doing what its doing. The solar will still work even plugged in. It does on mine

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