Morningstar Blog
From Our Webinar: Can Morningstar Controllers Be Used In Battery to Battery Charging Applications?
July 31, 2020
Each month we host a live webinar featuring the latest in charge controller and inverter technologies. Attendees have the opportunity to engage directly with our engineers to learn about the latest innovations in off-grid solar, and have their questions answered directly by our team. This month we talked about battery to battery charging with Morningstar controllers.
> Read moreGrounding in Off-Grid Solar Systems
June 2, 2020
Understanding the difference between a chassis ground and an electrical ground allows you to maintain an efficient and long-lasting system. While understanding exactly how much current voltage is required in an electrical ground to offset the natural earth voltage is complex, when done correctly, it can prevent corrosion before it becomes visible.
> Read moreFrom 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 more