Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- ve.direct:mpptprefs [2015-03-09 10:18] – [Load output and lighting control] rvanzundert
+++ ve.direct:mpptprefs [2019-01-22 10:16] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Changing settings in the BlueSolar MPPT Charge Controllers ======
-===== Applicable products =====
+===== THIS PAGE IS DEPRECATED: Use VictronConnect instead of mpptprefs =====
+We recommend to use [[victronconnect:start|VictronConnect]] instead of mpptprefs. Much simpler and faster to use. Also it includes automatic firmware updates.
+More information: [[victronconnect:mppt-solarchargers|]]
+===== Original text =====
+Products:
   * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 70/15 (replaced with the 75/15)
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 75/10
   * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 75/15
   * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 75/50
@@ Line 10: / Line 22: @@
   * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 100/50
   * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/35
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/45 (Tr/MC-4)
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/60 (Tr/MC-4)
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/70 (Tr/MC-4)
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/85 (Tr/MC-4)
+  * BlueSolar Charge controller MPPT 150/100 (Tr/MC-4)
 ===== Instructions =====
-  * Download mpptprefs.exe here: [[http://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software#mpptprefs|http://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software#mpptprefs]]
+  * In case the VE.Direct to USB cable is not recognized on your system you may need to download the driver from the [[https://www.victronenergy.com/support-and-downloads/software#ve-power-setup|VE Power Setup section on our Software page]].
 ===== VE.Direct connection =====
@@ Line 19: / Line 35: @@
   * Connect the VE.Direct to USB cable to the BlueSolar MPPT Charge Controller as shown below.
   * Connect the other end to a Windows PC.
-  * Power-up the charger. Note that the MPPT 70/15, 75/15 and 100/15 can be powered from either the battery terminals or the solar panel terminals. The other models can only be powered from the solar panel terminals.
+  * Power-up the charger. Note that the MPPT 70/15, 75/10, 75/15 and 100/15 can be powered from either the battery terminals or the solar panel terminals. The other models can only be powered from the solar panel terminals.
 {{  :ve.direct:bb0d8358c511821717729ac03f75ceb7.jpg?300  }}{{  :ve.direct:b5f78ac284cbf9eedf5f812f84e8e989.jpg?300  }}
@@ Line 29: / Line 45: @@
   * Start the mpptprefs.exe tool by double-clicking on it. The tool will try to locate the MPPT charger by scanning the available ports and downloading the settings once it finds a compatible charger. First you will see an overview of charger model, firmware version and the actual settings, similar to that shown below (MPPT 100/15 model used in this instance):
-{{  :ve.direct:5a7565fd7468544e080561ceb5b713a7.png  }}
+{{  :ve.direct:mpptprefs_main.png  }}
   * When the settings are to your liking, make sure to press x and enter to save them to the connected charger.
@@ Line 59: / Line 75: @@
 {{  :ve.direct:7.png  }}
+**i**  - Modify equalisation voltage
+Available from firmware 1.16 and higher.
+**j**  - Modify auto equalise mode
+Set-up auto equalise mode, available options:
+  * 0 = off
+  * 1 = daily
+  * 2 = every other day
+  * ...
+  * 250 = every 250 days
+When Automatic equalization is active, the absorption charge will be followed by a voltage limited constant current period. The current is limited to 8% of the bulk current for all VRLA (Gel or AGM) batteries and some flooded batteries, and to 25% of the bulk current for all tubular plate batteries. The bulk current is the rated charger current unless a lower maximum current setting has been chosen (option 'c'). In case of all VRLA batteries and some flooded batteries (algorithm number 0, 1, 2 or 3) automatic equalization ends when the voltage limit maxV has been reached, or after t = (absorption time)/8, whichever comes first. For all tubular plate batteries automatic equalization ends after t = (absorption time)/2.
+Available from firmware 1.16 and higher.
+**k**  - Modify temperature compensation
+Set-up temperature compensation. Allowed range -21mV/K .. 21mV/K, use value 0 to disable the temperature compensation (e.g. for Lithium batteries).
+Please note that the temperature compensation is not dynamic during operation. The charger uses its internal temperature for the battery temperature compensation when the charger has been idle for at least one hour, i.e. when the charger is not actively charging a battery or supplying a load.
+**m**  - Modify absorption time limit
+Set-up the absorption time limit. Enter the time value in the notation hh:mm, where hh=hours (0..12), mm=minutes (00..59).
+The maximum duration of the absorption period is determined by the battery voltage measured just before the solar charger starts up in the morning:
+^Battery voltage Vb (@start-up) ^ Multiplier ^ Maximum absorption times ^
+|          Vb < 11.9V           |    x 1     |       06:00 hours        |
+|      11.9V < Vb < 12.2V       |   x 2/3    |       04:00 hours        |
+|      12.2V < Vb < 12.6V       |   x 1/3    |       02:00 hours        |
+|          Vb > 12.6V           |   x 1/6    |       01:00 hours        |
 **t**  - Switch back to the factory defined battery table / rotary switch position \\ Modifying any of the charge parameters (a, b, f and c) automatically creates a user defined battery type. Use this option to switch back to the factory defined algorithm.
@@ Line 66: / Line 117: @@
 Note for models with a rotary switch: creating a user defined battery effectively disables the rotary switch. Use option 't' to enable the rotary switch again, and make the charge use the battery type as selected by the rotary switch position. Firmware version 1.15 has an improvement, changing the setting of the rotary switch will automatically enable it again.
-==== Load output and lighting control ====
+==== Load output and lighting controller ====
-These options are only available on charger models with a load output. These are the MPPT 75/10, MPPT 75/15 and MPPT 100/15. This option shows a sub-menu where the load operation mode can be changed (option m). The lighting controller (timer) functionality is available from version 1.15 and higher and it will only be shown when a charger with the correct firmware is detected.
+These options are only available on charger models with a load output. These are the MPPT 70/15, MPPT 75/10, MPPT 75/15 and MPPT 100/15. This option shows a sub-menu where the load operation mode can be changed (option m).
-Note that the internal clock needs a few days of uninterrupted operation to synchronize its internal clock to the sunrise and sunset. When mpptprefs stores the settings in the MPPT charger and the lighting controller is enabled, the local time of the PC is sent to the MPPT charger. The charger will use this time for 5 days (this bridges the time the charger needs to synchronize with the solar activity). Keep in mind that the charger must remain powered after disconnecting the computer, otherwise the internal clock information will be lost. The timer program will always remain intact since it is written to non-volatile memory.
+The lighting controller (timer) functionality is available from firmware version 1.15 and higher and the relevant options will only be shown when a charger with the correct firmware is detected. An MPPT 70/15 needs to be from year/week 1308 or later. Earlier 70/15s are not suitable for the lighting controller, upgrading MPPT firmware will not help. To find the year/week number, look for the serial number which is printed on a label on the back. For example number HQ1309DER4F means 2013, week 09.
 **l**  - Modify load output / lighting controller (timer) settings
@@ Line 79: / Line 130: @@
 Change the load switch on/off behavior. By default the battery life algorithm will be used (option 1). Normally a jumper can be used to select between two fixed switch on/off set-points. However if you require communication with the charger (e.g. when connecting a Color Control) you can use options 2 or 3 to preset a conventional algorithm. Options 5 and 6 can be used to create custom algorithms, with programmable switch on and switch off levels (see options 'h' and 'l').
+Keep in mind that modes 0 (always off) and 4 (always on) will respond immediately, the other modes rely on the battery voltage and have a delay of 2 minutes before the load output will change (so the charger does not respond too quickly when for example an inrush current briefly lowers the battery below the threshold voltage).
 {{  :ve.direct:721f3e879afdb7ed21d8eec069a3a628.png  }}
@@ Line 96: / Line 149: @@
 **p**  - Modify lighting controller timer programs (when the lighting controller is enabled)
-When the lighting controller is enabled (option 's'), a timer program can be created. The events 'sunset' and 'sunrise' are used as anchor points for the timer program.
+{{  :ve.direct:12.png  }}
+When the lighting controller is enabled (option 's'), a timer program can be created. The events 'sunset' and 'sunrise' are used as anchor points for the timer program. The lighting controller (timer) program is written to non-volatile memory, so the program will remain intact when the charger is disconnected from the battery.
+Note that the internal clock needs a few days of uninterrupted operation to synchronize its internal clock to the sunrise and sunset, as long as the day/night cycle is unknown a 12-hour day and 12-hour night is assumed.
 At sunset you can choose to use the following control actions:
@@ Line 104: / Line 161: @@
 **b**  - Switch on the light and switch off after a number of hours. When you choose this option you can enter the desired number of hours. Two dimlevels can be entered both for the "on" period and the dimlevel for the "off" period (use 0 to switch the light off during the night).
-**c**  - Switch on the light and switch off at midnight. Note that midnight is determined by the solar activity, the charger needs to operate for several days to synchronize with the solar activity and the actual midnight point (12 o'clock) differs from the solar midnight, based on your location and if daylight saving is used. Like option b you get the opportunity to enter two dimlevels for the "on" period till midnight and the dimlevel for the "off" period after midnight (use 0 to switch the light off during the night).
+**c**  - Switch on the light and switch off at midnight. Note that midnight is determined by the solar activity, the charger needs to operate for several days to synchronize with the solar activity and the actual midnight point (12 o'clock) differs from the solar midnight, based on your location and if daylight saving is used. Like option b you get the opportunity to enter two dimlevels for the "on" period till midnight and the dimlevel for the "off" period after midnight (use 0 to switch the light off during the night). When mpptprefs stores the settings it sends the local time of the PC to the MPPT charger. The charger will use this time for 5 days, this bridges the time the charger needs to synchronize with the solar activity. Note that this is only useful as long as the charger remains powered-on, otherwise the assumption will be made that midnight occurs 6-hours after sunset as long as the internal clock is not synchronised.
 **d**  - Switch on the light and switch off at sunrise. Note when this option is chosen the sunrise control actions are no longer shown.
@@ Line 116: / Line 173: @@
 When entering a switch on action a dim level can be entered, this results in a PWM signal on the TX port when the VE.Direct port is set into this mode (option p in the main menu).
-{{  :ve.direct:12.png  }}
+**m**  - Mid-point shift. The midnight point is estimated based on the solar activity, due to your geographical position and day-light saving this will deviate from the actual midnight. With the midpoint shift this can be compensated partially. Note that this setting is only relevant when your timer program uses midnight as a switching moment (like option c does). Use 0 to disable the shift (default).
+Calculation example: sunset 19:00 (=1140 min), sunrise 6:25 (=385 min)
+  * night duration = midnight-sunset+sunrise = 1440-1140+385 = 685 minutes
+  * shift = sunset+night_duration/2-midnight = 1140+342-1440 = 42 minutes
+**s**  - Setup gradual dimming (speed). The gradual dimming option can be used to slow down the response of the timer program. This is useful when multiple chargers are used in a row, to mask the effect that each timer uses its own detection and the transitions moments will vary from unit to unit.
+Settings (1% change per x seconds):
+  * 0 = immediate response (gradual dimming disabled)
+  * 9 = dim from 0 to 100% in 15 minutes
+Available from firmware 1.16 and higher.
+**t**  - Panel voltage tweaks (night/day detection thresholds). Night/day detection voltage tweaks can be used to adjust the detection to match the panel configuration. The day detection voltage must be 0.5V higher than the night detection level. The lowest detectable voltage is 11.4V. Set this option to 0 to use the built-in defaults (night: Vpanel<11.4V, day: Vpanel>11.9V).
+Available from firmware 1.16 and higher.
 ==== Other settings ====
@@ Line 124: / Line 199: @@
 Erase the historical data (daily logs and statistics). This data is available on the ve.direct output. A Color Control can be used to view this data.
-**f**  - VE.Direct TX Port function
+**p**  - VE.Direct TX Port function
 The function of the TX pin on the VE.Direct connector can be used for other functions. Available options:
@@ Line 135: / Line 210: @@
 **3**  - In combination with the lighting controller (solar timer), the light can be dimmed using an inverted PWM signal from the TX port.
+**4**  - Virtual load output. This enables the Streetlight functionality on the larger MPPT models. The load output can be realized via the VE.Direct connector by using cable ASS030550500. Connect the cable to a battery protect module or a solid state relay.
 Notes: the PWM output (when using options 2 and 3) operates at a fixed frequency of 160Hz and has a fixed voltage level of 5V.
-{{  :ve.direct:67329505be78626e25550df988383cb2.png  }}
+{{  :ve.direct:mpptprefs_tx_port.png  }}
+**q**  - VE.Direct RX Port function
+The function of the RX pin on the VE.Direct connector can be used for other functions. This functionality is introduced in firmware version 1.17 and applies to the 10A and 15A chargers with a load output.
+Available options:
+**0**  - Remote on/off. Allows remote charger on/off control (0V = switch charger off, +5V or VE.Direct communication = switch charger on), e.g. to connect to a VE.BUS BMS (using cable ASS030550300).
+**1**  - Load output configuration (default behavior).
+**2**  - Load output on/off. Allows remote control of the load output (0V = switch load on, +5V or VE.Direct communication = switch load off).
+{{  :ve.direct:mpptprefs_rx_port.png  }}
 ===== Batch mode =====
@@ Line 153: / Line 243: @@
 The output should look like the screenshot below.
-{{  :ve.direct:3c2ed0ef580b72ca1d9a498852d3d7fd.png  }}
+{{  :ve.direct:mpptprefs_cmd_line_abs.png  }}
   * In order to restore factory defined charge algorithm behaviour, issue the following command:
@@ Line 171: / Line 261: @@
 </code>
-{{  :ve.direct:16.png  }}
+<code>
+VE.Direct mpptprefs 1.15
+Allowed options:
+  -d [ --dump ]            dump communication to output
+  -h [ --help ]            produce help message
+  -g [ --get ]             retrieve data, do not change anything
+  -s [ --serial ] arg      serial port
+  -y [ --sys ] arg         set battery voltage
+  -a [ --abs ] arg         set absorption voltage
+  -f [ --float ] arg       set float voltage
+  -b [ --batterysafe ] arg set batterysafe mode
+  -c [ --current ] arg     set charger current limit
+  -i [ --eqv ] arg         set equalisation voltage
+  -j [ --autoeq ] arg      set auto equalise mode
+  -k [ --tempcomp ] arg    set temperature compensation
+  -m [ --abslim ] arg      set absorption time limit
+  -t [ --table ]           use factory defined battery table
+  -r [ --reset ]           reset all settings to factory default settings
+  -e [ --erase ]           clear history data
+  -n [ --clock ]           sync clock
+  -o [ --download ] arg    download settings from device to file
+  -u [ --upload ] arg      upload settings from file to device
+  -q [ --quiet ]           do not ping for devices on the bus
+  -V [ --version ]         version
+</code>
-Note that commands -a, -f, -b and -c can be combined to change multiple settings at once:
+Note that commands -a, -f, -b, -c, -i, -j, -k and -m can be combined to change multiple settings at once:
 <code>
@@ Line 217: / Line 331: @@
 The above sequential commands, resets the charger to factory default settings and clears the history data.
+===== DISQUS =====
 ~~DISQUS~~