Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications | Outback Power Systems 80

17. Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications

The FLEXmax 80 is designed to work with solar arrays. Although it will work with micro-hydro turbines and fuel cell, OutBack Power Systems can only offer limited technical support for these applications because there is too much variance in micro-hydro and fuel cell generator specifications. When used for micro-hydro or fuel cell applications, the FLEXmax 80 warranty will be honored only if the manufacturer and turbine model have been approved by OutBack Power Systems. Please check with one of the following manufacturers or OutBack Power Systems before employing the FLEXmax 80 with these applications:

•Harris Hydroelectric

(831)425-7652 www.harrishydro.com

•Alternative Power & Machine

(541)476-8916 www.apmhydro.com

•Energy System & Design

(506)433-3151 www.microhydropower.com

The FLEXmax 80 is not compatible with wind turbine applications and OutBack cannot

warranty its use in these applications.

MICRO-HYDRO AND FUEL CELL SYSTEMS PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION

Micro-hydro and fuel cell systems are different than PV systems, whose VOC output is more subject to change due to weather and time of day. A PV system normally finds its Maximum Power Point voltage between 50-90% of its VOC. A micro-hydro or fuel cell system’s MPP voltage can be outside of this range.

The FLEXmax 80 allows a user to experiment and find more appropriate set points to best capture the MPP voltage using U-Pickmode. Otherwise, Auto Track begins tracking the VOC and works its way down until the optimum percentage of input voltage yields the MPP voltage. If U-Pick % Voc is chosen, the MPP is calculated by whatever value is found in Park Mpp, even if it’s not the optimal value for determining the MPP voltage. For this reason, OutBack normally suggests leaving the system in Auto Sweep mode.

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Outback Power Systems 80 user manual Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications, Warranty its use in these applications

Contents

User’s Guide Warranty Summary Dear OutBack Customer Date and Revision About OutBack Power SystemsDisclaimer Contact Information Table of Contents Product Registration and Optional Extended Warranty Introduction FLEXmax 80 Maximum Power Point Tracking Charge ControllerScope Firmware Standards and Requirements Personal Precautions During Installation Outback Power Systems FLEXmax Mounting to Plywood Installing the FLEXmax 80 FLEXware DC EnclosuresDC Enclosure FLEXmax Bushing Locknut Conduit Nipple Wire and Disconnect Sizing Determining Wire SizesOpen Circuit Voltage/Wire and Disconnect Size FLEXmax 80 Wiring Connections FLEXmax 80 wiring compartmentPage Page Page How to Read the FLEXmax 80 Screen Diagrams Soft keys Power Up Screen Powering UpOutBack12V Power Systems FLEXmax USA Next Enter Entra SEL Password ContrasenaSelect Version Elija la Version 150 Sytem Voltage USA NoyesEnter Status Screen AUX OFF Recharging Using the PV Array End of Day Summary Screen Charger Aux Light EQ Misc Advanced Logging Stats Accessing the Main MenuExit F G GO 80.0A Charger Set-UpCurrent Limit Absorbing 14.4V Float 13.8V Exit Next SET Mode AUX Mode and Its FunctionsAUX Mode Night Light Output Off AUX Mode Menu Path Pressing the Next soft key scrolls through the AUX functions AUX modes in order of appearance on the FLEXmax 80 display Vent Fan Programming the AUX ModesOff Exitvolt Vent FAN Volts PV Trigger Output Off Exit VoltExit Next SET Fan screen Exit Time Volt PV Volts Output OnPV Trigger Exit Time Volt Hold Time Sec 01.1 Back + Press the Next soft key to view the Error Output screenPV Trigger Output On Exitvolt Error LOW Batt Volts Error Output 01 hrsExitvolt AUX Mode Error Output Exit Hyst Time Volt Exit Next SET Mode AUX ModeBack + OFF Night Light Threshold Voltage 010 Back + Night Light Off Hysteresis Time Minutes Back +Night Light On Time Hours Back + Press the Volt soft key Diversion Relay Output Off Output Off AutoFloat Output Off Press the Next soft key ro view the AUX Float screen Diversion Relay Hold Delay 01.0 Time SecondsBack DLY+ AUX Mode Absorb--Float--EQ Relative Volts Example of Diversion Exit Time Volt AUX ModeDiversion Solid St Output On Press the Exit soft key Diversion Load and AUX Wiring Set-Up Illustrated Press the Time and Volt soft keys to adjust the set points Delay Time Sec Timer Back +Low Batt Disconnect Back Exit Time Volt Disconnect VoltsRE-CONNECT Volts Logging Stats Remote Output OffCharger GAux Light Misc Exit soft key twice to return to the Main Menu Off screen Backlight EQ-Battery EqualizeExit + Mode Charger Aux GLight EQ Misc Optimize Logging Stats Exit Next -HRS +HRS Battery Equalize Battery EqualizeExit Next -EQV +EQV Battery Equalize Back Auto Start Stop Exit DAY +DAY Count000 Exit Next -EQV +EQV Exit Next MISC-MiscellaneousGT State PWM% ChgT 255 07 50.0 Press Next to Continue to the Force Bulk/Float Screen Exit Next Float Bulk PWM%Force PCB Charger Aux Light Misc GAdvanced Logging Stats Snooze Mode .6 ampAdvanced Exit Advanced Menu This screen allows the user to choose one of these modes Wakeup Mode 1.5V 05m Exit Next +VOC +MinMppt Mode Auto Track Exit Next nonGT Mode Press the Next soft key to view the Park Mpp screen Mpp Range Limit %Voc Min Max Exit Next 1/2 90% Park Mpp 77 % VocExit Next -% +% Advanced Menu Park Mpp Watts 77 % Voc Advanced Menu Absorb Time Limits Hours Charging-Related ScreensExit Next + 00 a 12.6 Exit Next Wide Advanced Menu Vbatt Calibration 14.1RTS Compensation 14.1 Exit Next Limit SET RTS Compensation RTS Compensation 14.4 V F Mode Exit Next Mode Advanced MenuMode Exit Next Mode Exit Next Limit SET Reset to Defaults? Exit Next Mode Advanced MenuAux Polarity Charger Are you sure? Reset to DefaultsYesno Advanced Menu GLogging Stats Today 0000Ah 00.0 KWH 011Vp 00.0Ap 00kWp MAX LoggingClear LOG Back Totl Daily MIN FLT Stats Secondary Stats screen Warranty its use in these applications Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications Advanced Menu Micro-Hydro and Fuel Cell Applications Mppt Mode Auto TrackTo adjust the Lower Mpp Range Limit Park Mpp Watts Abbreviated Menu Map Grid-tie applications non-OutBack inverter/chargers OutBack Power System GTFX/GVFX Grid-tie settingsApplication Notes Positive grounded systems 12V Battery System Efficiency Curve 24V Battery System Efficiency Curve Understanding the Various Operational Modes Page Page MATE-Displayed FLEXmax 80 Screens Status Mode Screens Aux relay state indicates if the AUX is on or OFF FLEXmax Meter Screens MATE-Displayed FLEXmax 80 Status Meter ScreensPress Setp to view Setpoint screens MATE-Displayed FLEXmax 80 Advanced Screens MATE-Displayed FLEXmax 80 Status Setpt SET Point ScreenCC Setpoint Screens FLEXmax 80 Advanced Menu FLEXmax 80 Displayed Screens FLEXmax 80 EQ ScreensFLEXmax 80 AUX Screens FLEXmax 80 Stats Screens Abbreviated Exit Next + Advanced Menu FLEXmax 80 not producing expected power Troubleshooting GuideFLEXmax 80 does not boot/power-up blank LCD FLEXmax 80 is always Sleeping FLEXmax 80 Battery Temperature Compensated Voltage FLEXmax 80 is not equalizing FLEXmax 80 Internal Fan To enable/open the FLEXmax Select Version screensFLEXmax 80 is beeping Typical Array Sizing Guide Standard vs. Australian Default Settings 24V PV Array 32v Vmp Wire Distance Chart12V PV Array 16v Vmp 36V PV Array 48v Vmp 60V PV Array 80v Vmp 48V PV Array 64v Vmp72V PV Array 96v Vmp PV Side of the Controller Wire and Disconnect SizingBattery Side of the Controller NEC Compliance Recommended Conductor and Breaker Sizes for the FLEXmax Wiring CompartmentMaximum recommended battery conductor is #2** AWG Output Rating less than 64 amps FLEXmax 80 MULTI-STAGE Battery Charging Page Battery Temperature Compensated System Non-Battery Temperature Compensated SystemBattery temperature compensation with other slopes Suggested Battery Charger SET Points Battery Voltage and State of Charge Specifications Calling the Factory for Assistance Five Year Limited Warranty Information FLEXmax Products Revision.2007-10-02 Limited Warranty Registration Outback Power Systems Inc 19009 62nd Ave. NE EU Declaration of Conformity OWNER’S System Information Phone +1 BARCELONA, España Phone +34.93.654.9568