Morningstar reprograming for Lithium

[Shadow Catcher]

I have two Morningstar SunSaver MPPT controllers one of which is used on our teardrop trailer. I bought the SunSaver about 14 years ago as it was the only one that would handle the high voltage from a used grid tie panel. The high voltage panel means we get usable current when it is shaded and cloudy, a good thing.
Pete from Morningstar support was able to help me when I could not connect using Msview, it proved to be a fake cable I purchased long ago but had not use.
My lap top now plays well with the controller and now I need to get the settings to input to reprogram for Lithium.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Absorption: 3.45-3.60V/cell
Float: 3.375V/cell
Equalize: disable or same as absorption
Tail current: 0.05C (5% of capacity, e.g., 5A if 100Ah battery)
Absorption duration: 15-60 minutes as needed to achieve 0.05C (3.45V/cell may need longer).

DISABLE TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION.

Since those pre-date lithium, you will need to have a battery bank/BMS that has its own low temp charging protection.

 

[MisterSandals]

now I need to get the settings to input to reprogram for Lithium.

These got me going with my Tristar 45 MPPT (2009 version). I got these from Morningstar, cannot recall his name but i can search.
I had to upgrade the firmware for some reason, i believe it was to allow a user defined charge profile.

For some reason i am unable to attach files. Here is the settings file contents. I have 3 more i will try to upload.


Absorb voltage = 14.00 V; This value should never be reached so is not important.
Temperature Compensation = disable = 0.0 V/ degC
Absorption Time = 20 min. Unused. Batteries never go to absorb state.
Absorption Ext Voltage = Not enabled
Battery Service Reminder = Not enabled No water or service. [MS - Monitor cell voltages & Ah Capacity]
Float = Not enabled [MS - Can be set < HVDR as a precaution if Absorption stage is enabled]
Equalize = Not enabled
High Voltage Disconnect HVD = 13.88 V (3.47 V/per cell)
High Voltage Reconnect HVDR = 13.31 V (3.328 V/per cell)
Max Regulation Limit = 14.06 V Set as a precaution.
Max Battery Current - Optional
Array Voltage Fixed Target = disabled
LED G ñ> G/Y 75%+ = 13.31 V (3.328 V/per cell)
LED G/Y ñ> Y 50% - 74% = 13.21 V (3.303 V/per cell)
LED Y ñ> Y/R 25% - 49% = 13.06 V (3.265 V/per cell)
LED Y/R ñ> R 10% or below = 13.01 V (3.253 V/per cell)


More information regarding these settings provided by Morningstar
Load Settings (where applicable for controller models which include LVD settings)
Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.. 12.75V
Low Voltage Reconnect (LVR) ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.. 13.3V
Delay Before LVD ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ... 1 m (possibly higher for cold temperatures)
Load Current Compensation ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ 0.01 ?s (V/A) (reduces LVD Voltage based on size of load)
Enable HVD/ High Voltage Disconnect/Reconnect............ Enable/14.9V/14.0V (Load HVD)

 

[Shadow Catcher]

Thank you all, this will get me a basis. I am frustrated because I would really like to know all about it, and yes I know that is not likely. The manufacturer recommends a 120 Min equalizer charging voltage of 14V. But then it is a manual that translates from Chines to English.

 

[MisterSandals]

The manufacturer recommends a 120 Min equalizer charging voltage of 14V. But then it is a manual that translates from Chines to English.

Do you have a link to this recommendation?

 

[Shadow Catcher]

This is the manual. I will be curious on your take on this.

 

[time2roll]

Thank you all, this will get me a basis. I am frustrated because I would really like to know all about it, and yes I know that is not likely. The manufacturer recommends a 120 Min equalizer charging voltage of 14V. But then it is a manual that translates from Chines to English.

Daily I charge mine on the low side at 13.80 with an equalization to 14.10 two hours every 3 weeks. A bit random, no science. Works for me.
Morningstar is a reliable product.

 

[MisterSandals]

This is the manual. I will be curious on your take on this.

Equalizing LiFePO4 seems wrong based on everything I've read. I'm not sure how well behaved (balanced) the cells would be at 14.1V because i only charge to 13.8V.
At least i agree on this:


This is REALLY shocking that they'd put this in a manual:

This is the worst possible way to connect batteries in parallel!

 

[Shadow Catcher]

This is what it is going into, for its life time it has been a 185W high voltage panel feeding into a 150AH AGM

 

[Johannlog]

These got me going with my Tristar 45 MPPT (2009 version). I got these from Morningstar, cannot recall his name but i can search.
I had to upgrade the firmware for some reason, i believe it was to allow a user defined charge profile.

For some reason i am unable to attach files. Here is the settings file contents. I have 3 more i will try to upload.


Absorb voltage = 14.00 V; This value should never be reached so is not important.
Temperature Compensation = disable = 0.0 V/ degC
Absorption Time = 20 min. Unused. Batteries never go to absorb state.
Absorption Ext Voltage = Not enabled
Battery Service Reminder = Not enabled No water or service. [MS - Monitor cell voltages & Ah Capacity]
Float = Not enabled [MS - Can be set < HVDR as a precaution if Absorption stage is enabled]
Equalize = Not enabled
High Voltage Disconnect HVD = 13.88 V (3.47 V/per cell)
High Voltage Reconnect HVDR = 13.31 V (3.328 V/per cell)
Max Regulation Limit = 14.06 V Set as a precaution.
Max Battery Current - Optional
Array Voltage Fixed Target = disabled
LED G ñ> G/Y 75%+ = 13.31 V (3.328 V/per cell)
LED G/Y ñ> Y 50% - 74% = 13.21 V (3.303 V/per cell)
LED Y ñ> Y/R 25% - 49% = 13.06 V (3.265 V/per cell)
LED Y/R ñ> R 10% or below = 13.01 V (3.253 V/per cell)


More information regarding these settings provided by Morningstar
Load Settings (where applicable for controller models which include LVD settings)
Low Voltage Disconnect (LVD) ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.. 12.75V
Low Voltage Reconnect (LVR) ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ.. 13.3V
Delay Before LVD ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ... 1 m (possibly higher for cold temperatures)
Load Current Compensation ÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖÖ 0.01 ?s (V/A) (reduces LVD Voltage based on size of load)
Enable HVD/ High Voltage Disconnect/Reconnect............ Enable/14.9V/14.0V (Load HVD)

Thank you for this info.
I just got a Morningstar Tristar.