MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Thank you for selecting the Tracer BP series MPPT solar charge controller. Please read this manual carefully before using the product and pay attention to the safety information.
1. Safety Information
- Read all of the instructions in the manual before installation.
- Do not disassemble or attempt to repair the controller.
- Install external fuse or breaker as required.
- Disconnect the solar module and fuse/breakers near to the battery before installing or moving the controller.
- Power connections must remain tight to avoid excessive heating from a loose connection.
- Only charge batteries that comply with the parameters of the controller.
- Battery connection may be wired to one battery or a bank of batteries.
- Risk of electric shock: the PV and load can produce high voltages when the controller is working.
2. Overview
The Tracer BP series solar charge controller adopts advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charging methods. It enables system charging and discharging management to obtain the most radical optimization, increasing system flexibility while lowering system cost. The controller supports a variety of batteries, for example, sealed, gel, flooded, and lithium batteries. Users can view and modify the working status and parameters. It is widely used in solar home systems, traffic signals, solar street lights, solar garden lamps, etc. The features are listed below:
- Adopt high-quality components from ST, IR, and Infineon to ensure product lifespan.
- Wide working environment temperature.
- Lithium battery self-activating and low-temperature protection function.
- Maximum conversion efficiency of 98%.
- Advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology with tracking efficiency no less than 99%.
- Ultra-fast tracking speed and guaranteed tracking efficiency.
- Accurately recognizing and tracking of multiple power points.
- PV power limitation function.
- Monitoring and setting parameters via Mobile APP, PC Monitor setting software with RS485 communication interface.
- Uses standard Modbus communication protocol for RS485 bus connections, offering better communication protocol compatibility.
- Connects to the IOT (Internet of Things) module and Cloud Server monitoring software to realize remote monitoring of the multi-machine system.
- The RS485 connector can provide power supply.
- Aluminum housing for better cooling.
- Real-time energy statistics function.
- IP68 waterproof degree.
3. Product Features
Diagram Description: The image shows the EPEVER Tracer BP series MPPT solar charge controller with various ports and indicators. It displays the model number Tracer26**/39**BP and Tracer52**BP. Key components labeled include:
- 1. Temperature Sensor: Port for connecting an external temperature sensor.
- 2. PV Positive and Negative Wires: Terminals for connecting the solar panel input.
- 3. Battery Positive and Negative Wires: Terminals for connecting the battery.
- 4. Load Positive and Negative Wires: Terminals for connecting the load.
- 5. RS485 waterproof port: For communication with external devices.
- 6. Waterproof cap: Included to protect the RS485 port.
Notes:
- (1) If the temperature sensor is short-circuited or damaged, the controller will charge or discharge at the default temperature of 25 °C.
- (2) The port can provide a DC power supply of 5VDC/150mA and has short-circuit protection.
Important Note: When the RS485 communication port is not working, the waterproof cap must be installed to prevent water ingress.
4. Wiring
Diagram Description: The diagram illustrates the correct connection order for the MPPT solar charge controller. It shows breakers and fuses for PV and battery connections, and the load connection.
- Connect components to the charge controller in the sequence shown, paying close attention to the '+' and '-' terminals. Do not insert the fuse or turn on the breaker during installation. When disconnecting the system, reverse the order.
- After powering on the controller, check the battery LED indicator. It should be green. If it is not green, refer to chapter 10.
- Connect a fuse in series through the battery positive (+) circuit. The battery circuit fuse must be 1.25 to 2 times the rated current. The installed distance should be within 150mm.
5. LED Indicators
Diagram Description: A table detailing the LED indicators for PV and Battery status, their colors, and the meaning of their status (On Solid, Off, Slowly Flashing, Fast Flashing).
| Indicator | Color | Status | Instruction |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV | Green | On Solid | PV connection normal |
| Green | OFF | No PV voltage (night time) or PV connection problem | |
| Green | Slowly Flashing (1Hz) | PV connection normal but low voltage (irradiance) from PV, no charging | |
| Green | Fast Flashing (4Hz) | PV Over voltage | |
| BATT | Green | On Solid | Normal |
| Green | Slowly Flashing (1Hz) | Full | |
| Green | Fast Flashing (4Hz) | Over voltage | |
| Orange | On Solid | Under voltage | |
| Red | On Solid | Over discharged | |
| Red | Fast Flashing (4Hz) | Battery Overheating (Low temperature indicator (orange) flashing simultaneously) System voltage error* |
*When the battery type is Lithium Battery, the controller does not recognize the system voltage automatically.
6. Load Working Mode
Diagram Description: Illustrations showing different load working modes: Manual Mode, Light ON/OFF, Light ON+ Timer, and Real-time Control.
- 1) Manual Mode (Default ON): Load is manually controlled.
- 2) Light ON/OFF: Load turns on at dusk and off at dawn.
- 3) Light ON + Timer: Load turns on at dusk and off after a set time, with two configurable working time periods.
- 4) Real-time Control: Load ON/OFF time is controlled by setting the real-time clock.
Note: In the modes of Light ON/OFF and Light ON/Timer, the load is turned on after a 10-minute delay.
7. Accessories (Optional) and Software
- 1) PC Software: EPEVER Solar Station Monitor.
- 2) APP Software: EPEVER Charge Controller (Li) for Android and iPhone.
Note: MT50 does not support the relevant parameters of lithium battery. Specific instructions refer to the list of accessories and software.
8. Protection
- PV Over Current: The controller limits battery charging current to the Maximum Battery Current rating. An oversized solar array will not operate at peak power.
- PV Short Circuit: When PV short circuit is powered on or PV input is short-circuited at low power, the controller stops charging. Clear the fault to resume normal operation. WARNING: The controller may be damaged when the PV input is short-circuited at high power.
- PV Reverse Polarity: The PV can be reversely connected with the controller when:
- Only the PV is connected with the controller;
- The battery is positively connected, and the open-circuit voltage of the PV is lower than 85V (This requirement is only for Tracer26/39/5210BP).
- Battery Reverse Polarity: When the PV is not connecting or connecting reversed, there is full protection against battery reverse polarity. Correct the wire connection to resume normal operation. WARNING: Controller will be damaged when the PV connection is correct and battery connection is reversed!
- Battery Over Voltage: When the battery voltage reaches the set Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage, the controller stops charging the battery to protect it from overcharging.
- Battery Over Discharge: When the battery voltage reaches the set Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage, the controller stops discharging the battery to protect it from over-discharging.
- Battery Overheating: The controller detects the environment temperature through the external temperature sensor. If the environment temperature exceeds 65 °C, the controller automatically starts overheating protection to stop working. It recovers when the temperature drops below 55 °C.
- Lithium battery Low Temperature: If the temperature sensor reads below the low-temperature threshold, lithium battery charging/discharging stops. Charging/discharging resumes when the temperature rises above the threshold.
- Load Overload: If the load current exceeds the maximum load current rating by 1.05 times, the controller disconnects the load. Overloading must be cleared by reducing the load.
- Load Short Circuit: The load will be switched off when a load short circuit (24 times rated current) occurs. The controller will automatically attempt to reconnect the load 5 times. If the short circuit protection persists after 5 attempts, the user must clear the short circuit, then restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours).
- Temperature sensor break down: If the temperature sensor is short-circuited or damaged, the controller will charge or discharge at the default temperature of 25 °C to prevent battery damage from overcharging or over-discharging.
- High Voltage Transients: The controller is protected against small high voltage transients. In lightning-prone areas, additional external suppression is recommended.
9. Technical Specifications
Diagram Description: A table listing the technical specifications for various EPEVER Tracer BP series models, including nominal system voltage, battery input voltage range, rated current, rated power, maximum PV open circuit voltage, MPP voltage range, battery types, charging voltages, self-consumption, temperature compensation coefficient, communication, working environment temperature, enclosure, dimensions, mounting hole size, mounting dimension, power cable, and net weight.
| Item | Tracer2606BP | Tracer3906BP | Tracer5206BP | Tracer2610BP | Tracer3910BP | Tracer5210BP | Tracer7810BP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | 10A | 15A | 20A | 10A | 15A | 20A | 30A |
| Nominal system voltage | 12/24VDC Auto (Lithium battery does not automatically identify system voltage) | ||||||
| Battery input voltage range | 8.5~32VDC | ||||||
| Rated charge/discharge current | 10A | 15A | 20A | 10A | 15A | 20A | 30A |
| Rated charge power | 130W/12V; 260W/24V | 200W/12V; 400W/24V | 260W/12V; 520W/24V | 130W/12V; 260W/24V | 200W/12V; 400W/24V | 260W/12V; 520W/24V | 390W/12V; 780W/24V |
| Max. PV open circuit voltage | 60V (at minimum operating environment temperature) | ||||||
| MPP Voltage range | 46V (at 25°C environment temperature) | ||||||
| Battery Type | Lead-acid: Sealed (Default) / Gel / Flooded / User; Lithium: LiFePO4 / Li-NiCoMn / User | ||||||
| Equalize Charging Voltage | Sealed: 14.6V / Gel: -- / Flooded: 14.8V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | Sealed: 14.4V / Gel: 14.2V / Flooded: 14.6V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | Sealed: 14.6V / Gel: -- / Flooded: 14.8V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||
| Boost Charging Voltage | Sealed: 14.4V / Gel: 14.2V / Flooded: 14.6V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 14.4V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | |||||
| Float Charging Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 13.8V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 12.6V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage | Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 11.1V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Boost Charging Voltage (Lithium) | LiFePO4: 14.5V / Li-NiCoMn: 12.5V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage (Lithium) | LiFePO4: 12.8V / Li-NiCoMn: 10.5V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage (Lithium) | LiFePO4: 11.1V / Li-NiCoMn: 9.3V / User: 9-17V (×2/24V) | ||||||
| Self-consumption | ≤13mA/12V; ≤11.5mA/24V | ≤13mA/12V; ≤11.5mA/24V | |||||
| Temperature compensation coefficient | -3mV/°C/2V (Lithium battery does not have temperature compensation coefficient) | ||||||
| Communication | RS485 | ||||||
| Working environment Tem. | -40℃~+60℃ | -40℃~+50℃ | |||||
| Enclosure | IP68 | ||||||
| Overall dimension | 150×93.5×32.7mm | 153×105×52.1mm | 124×89×30mm | 150×93.5×32.7mm | 153×105×52.1mm | 153.3×105×52.1mm | 153.3×105×52.1mm |
| Mounting hole size | 88×76mm | 120×83mm | 120×94mm | 88×76mm | 120×83mm | 120×94mm | 120×94mm |
| Mounting dimension | 14AWG(2.5mm²) | 12AWG(4mm²) | 12AWG(4mm²) | 14AWG(2.5mm²) | 12AWG(4mm²) | 12AWG(4mm²) | 10AWG(6mm²) |
| Power cable | 0.54kg | 0.74kg | 1.20kg | 0.54kg | 0.74kg | 1.20kg | 1.26kg |
| Net weight | 0.54kg | 0.74kg | 1.20kg | 0.54kg | 0.74kg | 1.20kg | 1.26kg |
Any changes without prior notice! Version number: V3.2
10. Troubleshooting
Diagram Description: A table listing common faults, possible reasons, and troubleshooting steps for the EPEVER Tracer BP series MPPT solar charge controller.
| Faults | Possible reasons | Troubleshooting |
|---|---|---|
| LED Charging indicator turn off during daytime when sunshine falls on PV modules properly | PV array disconnection | Confirm that PV and battery wire connections are correct and tight. |
| No LED indicator | Battery voltage maybe less than 8.5V | Measure battery voltage with the multi-meter. Min. 8.5V can start up the controller. |
| Battery LED indicator green fast flashing | Battery over voltage | Check if battery voltage is higher than OVD, and disconnect the PV. |
| Battery LED indicator red | Battery over discharged | When the battery voltage is restored to or above LVR point (low voltage reconnect voltage), the load will recover. |
| Battery LED indicator red flashing | Battery Overheating | The controller will automatically turn the system off. But while the temperature declines to be below 50 °C, the controller will resume. |
| Load Overload | ①Please reduce the number of electric equipments. ②Restart the controller. ③Wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). | |
| Load is not output | ①Check carefully loads connection, clear the fault. ②Restart the controller. ③Wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). | |
| Load Short Circuit | ①Check carefully loads connection, clear the fault. ②Restart the controller. ③Wait for one night-day cycle (night time > 3 hours). |
When it is overload or short circuit, the load has 5 times auto-recovery output function, which each time delay respectively 5s, 10s, 15s, 20s, 25s.
11. Disclaimer
This warranty does not apply under the following conditions:
- Damage from improper use or use in an unsuitable environment.
- PV or load current, voltage, or power exceeding the rated value of the controller.
- The controller is working at a temperature exceeding the limit working environment temperature.
- User disassembly or attempted repair of the controller without permission.
- The controller is damaged due to natural elements such as lightning.
- The controller is damaged during transportation and shipment.
