In
order to regulate the batteries I am using 2
Morningstar controllers, although only 1 is
currently wired up. Each controller can handle up
to 60 amps, which will mean that with my 12 volt
system I need 2 controllers to handle the 1400
watts of solar panels I am using. The controllers are known
as MPPT controllers (mean power point tracking)
which maximise the output from your panels by
running them at the voltage they prefer. The
controllers then adjust this voltage and charge
the battery.
Each controller is
programmable so you put in the exact charging
perameters recomended by your battery
manufacturer. I have uploaded a custom charge
program that suits the Rolls battery.
As well as the web
interface the controllers can communicate using
MODBus over TCP/IP, and my computer systems speak
this protocol so we have all operational
perameters available in the iCatcher software.
This enables me to trigger actions based on the
state and level of charge. The first
"trigger based action" will be to turn
a fan to blow air on to the heat sinks of the
controllers. I am going to explain this in more
detail when I have implemented it.
The iCatcher
system will also switch devices on and off in the
house when there is surplus power available,
these will mainly be heaters, I am in Ireland
after all ! It will sense when we are producing
more power than the batteries can take and if the
house temperature is low it will turn on the
heaters.
iCatcher is also
configured to alert me to any abnormal conditions
encountered. It will email if the batteries get
too low or indeed too high. This will enable me
to adjust the loads remotly if required or switch
on the emergency battery charger if they are in
need of an urgent top up.
All this
functionailty is available via my iPhone as well
as making for a truly intergrated home power and
automation system.
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