PC MeterBus Adapter
PC MeterBus Adapter
Morningstar’s PC Meterbus Adapter™ (MSC) converts a controller’s meter port (RJ-11 phone type connector) to a standard RS-232 serial connector for connection to a PC or other equipment. The MSC may be used with any Morningstar controller or inverter equipped with a meter connection that does not also already have a RS-232 port. Communications link enables monitoring and logging of data as well as customizing of set points. Compatible Morningstar products include:
- ProStar MPPT
- Sunsaver MPPT
- ProStar (Gen3)
- SunSaver DUO
- SureSine
Key features and benefits
- High Reliability – conformally coated circuit board, corrosion resistant terminals, premium high-frequency CoilCraft inductors, over-spec’d components, transient surge suppression, and lowest published failure rate in the industry.
- Automatic PV Based Lighting Control – field adjustable, multi-event load control enables powerful options for PV lighting systems.
- Maximizes Energy Harvest – using TrakStar MPPT Technology to determine and adjust to the true maximum power point as solar insolation changes throughout the day.
- MODBUS Communications – Solar Industry Standard MODBUS communications protocol allows for easy programming, control, remote data access and charge synchronization.
- SNMP Monitoring – when used with the EMC-1 accessory to enable your network management systems to display key solar power metrics and alert/fault codes.
- High Efficiency – at low, medium, and high output power levels to maximize energy harvest and minimize heat buildup inside the controller.
- High Strength – polycarbonate case and extruded aluminum heatsink.
- Data Logging – up to 256 days of detailed power and load data.
- Self Diagnostics – continuous monitoring and reporting of any errors through its status LED’s, optional display or communication port.
- Low Noise Design – meets US Federal Communications Commission Class B specifications.
- Meter – allows adjustments to charging, lighting, and load control settings without a computer.
- Fanless design for long-term reliability–no moving parts to fail, no dirt and debris sucked into the controller, and no parasitic load to reduce efficiency.
A. Premium high-frequency CoilCraft surface mount inductors
They’re worth it, because they provide the faster power “tracking” that lets us engineer this much power and control into a compact design.
B. High-frequency design
Combined with premium, “over-spec’d” components, this greatly improves control response which guards against system transients, regulation overshoot and overcurrent/overload conditions
C. Built-in 4500W Transient Voltage Surge Suppression for lightning protection
Nature do your worst–this controller can take it
D. Large diameter, high torque, corrosion resistant terminals
If you’ve ever trashed a lesser terminal during an installation, you’ll appreciate some “overkill” here
E. DirectFET™ MOSFET power devices
Allows the surface-mounting of critical components underneath the main board next to the heat sink, which reduces heat travel distance and keeps the controller even cooler
F. Highly-conductive aluminum heatsink extrusion
As opposed to cast aluminum, which is less effective in passive cooling applications
G. Communications/data port with serial/meter auto detect
“Talks solar” with standard industry language, for system monitoring and cloud connectivity-speaks Modbus, and SNMP (with the EMC-1)
H. Lithium foldback circuit
Lithium batteries are expensive and vulnerable to cold temperatures. When it gets close to freezing, the controller backs-off charging to avoid damaging batteries
I. High-speed ARM processor
All-digital calibration for high accuracy, using the same efficient technology found in advanced mobile device
J. TrakStar™ Technology
Morningstar’s hallmark MPPT technology precisely seeks and locks onto the true maximum power point quickly and accurately, to ensure the highest output possible from a solar array
K. Large format, high-resolution backlit LCD
When you’ve been in the field installing, you appreciated being able to read a crisp, high contrast display on site
L. 5 year warranty
Up to 2 1/2 times longer than some competitors in this class
M. Self-diagnostics
ProStar is smart enough to monitor and analyze system performance, and alert you when you need to know
N. High temperature architecture
Heat is the enemy of all electronics. That’s why Prostar’s critical components are rated to withstand temperatures right up to the boiling point of water (100°C)
O. Lexan polycarbonate UL listed case
Protects the precision electronics inside with an impact strength 30 times greater than the acrylic thermoplastics commonly found on lesser controllers
P. Cooling Fan
Just kidding. We’ve never needed them
Specifications and Certifications
| Model | MSC | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Operating Voltage | 8V | |||
| Self Consumption | 6mA - 15mA | |||
| Operating Temperature Range | -20 C to +60C | |||
| Warranty | 5 Years | |||
| CE and RoHS | Yes | |||
| ETL Recognized Component FCC Class B Part 15 Compliant | Yes | |||
| ACMA-EMC Compliant | Yes | |||
| Manufactured in a Certified ISO 9001 Facility | Yes | |||
Operation Manuals
Download the PC MeterBus Adapter Manual.
Videos
ProStar MPPT Controller - 4 minute video
This short video highlights the high quality of the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller, and its ability to regulate charging of lead acid, lithium, or nickel cadmium batteries in off-grid solar applications. The video also addresses lighting control, self-diagnostics, data logging, MODBUS communications, array oversizing, and low noise design.
Morningstar Charging Experts featuring ProStar MPPT
This 5 minute video highlights the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller’s circuit board that differentiates it from other brands. In addition to the capacitors, inductors, processors, surge protectors, and other over-spec’d internal components, the quality of the controller’s heat sink and outer casing is also addressed. The video concludes with mention of features and capabilities related to communications, datalogging, lithium battery charging, and high quality and reliability.
New ProStar MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Recorded Webinar
This 30 minute recorded webinar gives a more in depth overview of how the ProStar MPPT solar charge controller fits into the existing Morningstar portfolio. The recording also includes answers to questions about operating temperatures, the display meter interface, and protections, faults and alerts.
Applications
- Boating
- Lighting
- Oil & Gas
- Railroad
- Rural Electrification
- Residential
- Security
- Transportation
- Traffic
Firmware
It’s a recommended best practice to install your product’s latest firmware to ensure access to all up-to-date features, accessory compatibilities, and code modifications. Watch this 5 minute video for instructions on how to download and update ProStar MPPT firmware.
After watching the video, click here to download the firmware.
System Diagrams
Off-Grid Diagram with DC Load
The schematic diagram above, illustrates how the ProStar MPPT regulates power to batteries and a direct current (DC) load in an off-grid system.
- Sunlight contacts the solar modules, which convert solar into DC electrical power that it delivers to a charge controller.
- The charge controller regulates the amperage and voltage that is delivered to the loads and any excess power is delivered to the battery system so the batteries maintain their state of charge without getting overcharged.
- During the evening when there is no sunlight, battery power is used to run the load.
Off-Grid Diagram with AC Load
The schematic diagram above, illustrates how the ProStar MPPT regulates power to batteries and an alternating current (AC) load in an off-grid system. This diagram is very similar to the DC load diagram above it except an inverter has been added.
- Sunlight contacts the solar modules, which convert solar into DC electrical power that it delivers to a charge controller.
- The charge controller regulates the amperage and voltage that is delivered to the battery system so the batteries maintain their state of charge without getting overcharged.
- Batteries deliver power to the inverter which converts DC to AC power that it delivers to the load. Notice that the inverter is connected to the battery, not the controller’s load terminals, like we did in the DC load example. That’s because the inverter can have a high energy surge upon start up, and this high current surge might be higher than the rated capacity of the charge controller, whereas the batteries will be able to meet the high energy surge requirement.