Morningstar Blog
From Our Webinar: Reading the SKU Number on the SunSaver PWM Controllers
May 29, 2020
This month we answered your questions about how to quickly determine the charge rating, battery voltage specs, and load control capabilities of our SunSaver PWM controllers. This information is located in your controller’s datasheet or operation manual, but you can also find it by reading your controller’s SKU number.
> Read moreMorningstar Corporation Celebrates 27 Years
April 26, 2020
This month marks 27 years of operation for Morningstar Corporation.
> Read moreDo you have a question about solar charge controllers?
March 27, 2020
We recently updated our website to include answers to frequently asked questions about solar charge controllers. Whether you are new to the industry or an experienced veteran, there is a lot of information on this page including diagrams and video that will help answer your questions.
> Read moreWhich MS controllers are most suitable to charge lithium iron phosphate batteries?
February 23, 2020
Each month, Morningstar hosts a live webinar featuring the latest in charge controller and inverter technologies. Whether you are new to Morningstar and off-grid solar, or an experienced professional who is looking for a refresher, this webinar is a chance to learn what is new in off-grid solar and have your pressing questions answered by one of our engineers. Attendees also receive One NABCEP CE credit.
> Read moreProduct Reliability and Morningstar’s Secret Sauce
September 29, 2017
Over the years people have tried to discover the secret of how Morningstar is able to produce such reliable solar charge controllers. “What’s your secret sauce?” they’ve asked. But the secret isn’t in the sauce, it’s in the software. Click here to read more about what one of our distributors learned after interviewing Morningstar’s Director of Engineering about this phenomenon.
> Read moreRelay Driver Overview and Applications
September 6, 2017
The new Relay Driver Overview and Applications page provides the latest details about how to setup and use the Morningstar Relay Driver to control mechanical or solid-state relays in AC and DC power systems. Morningstar’s RelayDriver™ is a logic module which provides high level system control functions such as high/low voltage alarms, load control and generator start.
> Read moreUpdated Morningstar Networking and Communications Document
April 5, 2017
Morningstar’s Networking and Communications Document has been updated to include information about our Ethernet MeterBus Converter (EMC-1) and USB Meter Bus Adapter (UMC-1). This document indicates how to establish communications with Morningstar products to enable networking, logging, data transfer and custom setting capabilities. Topics covered include: MODBUS communications protocol MeterBus networks Serial RS-232 and EIA-485 networks Ethernet, HTTP, web interfaces Related hardware and cables
> Read moreCharging Valve Regulated AGM Batteries
March 30, 2017
Did you know that the new ProStar Gen3 solar charge controller is equipped with DIP Switches (switch #’s 4, 5 and 6) that enable seven preset charge configurations and a custom setting to best meet the charging requirements for valve regulated AGM lead acid batteries? Higher Voltage Equalization charging, commonly used with Flooded batteries, can be harmful to valve regulated AGM batteries. To avoid this problem, auto-equalize options can be disabled for the ProStar Gen3 solar charge controller by switching DIP Switch #7 to the OFF position, regardless of your other DIP Switch settings. The 15 amp and 30 amp Prostar Gen3 models are the newest and smallest Morningstar controllers to include the seven preset and custom charging configurations, and the option to disable auto-equalization. Other larger Morningstar controllers which include similar preset configuration options are the Prostar MPPT, TriStar, and TriStar MPPT controllers.
> Read moreCharging NEC Energy Solution Batteries
March 15, 2017
In response to requests from system designers seeking to leverage NEC Energy Solution’s ALM 12V35 batteries with Morningstar charge controllers, an application note was developed through a collaborative effort between the two companies. Systems incorporating both ALM 12V35 batteries and Morningstar charge controllers are well suited for a wide range of PV+Storage applications. The information in the application note serves as a guide to help configure settings based on the particular Morningstar controller that is used. Performance may vary depending on use conditions and application. [Read more…]
> Read moreRemote Monitoring of Off-grid Systems
January 3, 2017
Being able to remotely monitor PV systems is important to reducing time and costs associated with site visits. This is obviously especially important for off-grid systems, which are often in even harder to reach or remote areas—geological monitoring, mines, telecom, industrial automation and agriculture applications. [Read more…]
> Read more