National Semiconductor SolarMagic User Manual

Summary of SolarMagic

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    Solarmagic tm weather station user guide.

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    Disclaimer the information, specifications, configurations and other technical information regarding the products referenced herein are subject to change without notice. All the statements, technical information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate and reliable but nation...

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    Warranty national semiconductor corporation (“seller”) hereby warrants that the product for which this user guide is written (the “equipment”) will comply in all material respects with seller’s published specification for a period of one (1) year from the date of shipment. For any material breach of...

  • Page 5: Contents

    Contents i contents chapter 1 ............................................................................................... Welcome 1 1.1 important safety instructions .......................................................................................................................... 2 chapt...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide ii appendix a ......................................................................... Reference diagrams 27.

  • Page 7: Welcome

    Chapter 1 • welcome 1 chapter 1 welcome ongratulations on your purchase of the solarmagic tm weather station. This instrument has been quality tested and approved for providing accurate and reliable measurements. We are confident that you will find the weather station to be a valuable asset for your...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 2 1.1 important safety instructions this manual contains important safety instructions that should be followed during the installation and maintenance of this product. To reduce the risk of electrical shock, and to ensure the safe instal...

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    Chapter 1 • welcome 3 warning: do not install in rain do not install or handle the solarmagic tm dc monitoring combiner box if it is wet or raining. Caution: call if there is damage contact us if the solarmagic dc monitoring combiner box enclosure is damaged or if its contents are compromised. Z !.

  • Page 10: About Mypvdata®

    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 4 chapter 2 about mypvdata® services ypvdata services is the web portal that provides access to your solarmagic system manager data. Mypvdata services are provided and hosted by national semiconductor. With focus on solar energy systems,...

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    Chapter 2 • about mypvdata® services 5 2.1 system manager overview the solarmagic system manager is a lightweight internet gateway and data logger solution for remote data acquisition, which enables pv system owners to benefit from advanced energy reports. The data logger collects data from connecte...

  • Page 12: Planning

    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 6 chapter 3 planning 3.1 enclosure the solarmagic weather station is housed in a painted galvanized steel enclosure, suitable for outdoor mounting, type nema 4x. The enclosure measures 10h x 8w x 4d. 3.1.2 enclosure specifications • type...

  • Page 13: 3.2 Sensors Overview

    Chapter 3 • planning 7 3.2 sensors overview environmental sensors have many applications and therefore many installation options. Where you locate the sensors for the weather station is important in order to get accurate data. The sensors should be located in a clear area on a level surface that rep...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 8 note: sensor cable length most sensors are shipped with a 25ft sensor lead cable. Make sure that the sensor cables will reach. The sensor lead wires can be extended to a maximum length of 400ft if stranded #22awg or larger wires are us...

  • Page 15: 3.4 Wind Speed Sensor

    Chapter 3 • planning 9 • operating voltage: 10–36vdc • current draw: same as sensor output • warm up time: 3 seconds minimum • operating temperature: –40°c to 55°c • size of probe: 3" diameter × 1.5" high • weight: 0.25lb 3.4 wind speed sensor the wind speed sensor or anemometer produces a sine wave...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 10 3.5.2 wind direction sensor specifications • output: 4–20ma • range: 0 to 360° (352° electrical, 8° open) • accuracy: 1% of full scale • operating voltage: 10–36vdc • current draw: same as sensor output • warm up time: 3 seconds minim...

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    Chapter 3 • planning 11 the shield comes with a stainless steel elbow that can be mounted on a 1” od diameter tube. For best results ensure that the shield is mounted vertically. • size: 4” diameter × 8 ½” long, • weight: 1 lb. 3.6 ambient temperature sensor figure 3-5 shows the temperature sensor i...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 12 3.7 pv cell temperature sensor the pv cell temperature sensor temperature sensor measures the temperature of the aluminum heat sink located on the face. 3.7.2 pv cell temperature sensor specifications • sensor type: 100 ohm platinum c...

  • Page 19: 3.9 Communication Module

    Chapter 3 • planning 13 3.8.2 reference cell/temperature sensor specifications • solar cell: mono-crystalline silicone (1.96in x 1.3in) • output: 4–20ma • range: –20° c to 70°c • irradiance accuracy: +/- 5% • temperature accuracy: +/- 2% • housing: 3.3w” × 1.5h” × 5.7l” powder coated aluminum, ip65 ...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 14 • resolution: 16-bit • sample rate: maximum 10 samples/second • bandwidth: 15.7hz • accuracy: 0.1% • isolation: 3000vdc • indication led light for power and communication • communication: rs-485, modbus rtu protocol • power supply: 10...

  • Page 21: Installation

    Chapter 4 • installation 15 chapter 4 installation 4.1 standard version 4.1.1 installing the solarmagic weather station enclosure mount the weather station enclosure out of direct sunlight in a location where it will not be exposed to continuous water flow, snow and ice build-up, and/or areas of ext...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 16 mount the base or mast for the weather station to a secure surface and install guy wires if possible. It is very important to ground the mast or base station for proper safety. Attach the sensor frame to the base/mast. 4.1.3 installin...

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    Chapter 4 • installation 17 note: after drilling through a powder coated enclosure, apply an anticorrosive solution to reduce risk of corrosion. Allow the anticorrosive solution to adequately dry before installing the strain relief connector. Be sure to completely remove all metal filings from the i...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 18 to measure the module or array irradiation, ensure that the sensor is placed on a level surface, use the alignment bolts to adjust the sensor until it is level. Once the leveling alignment bolts are adjusted and tightened then the irr...

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    Chapter 4 • installation 19 4.1.7 installing the wind direction sensor the sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: do not connect when energized do not connect the sensor wire if the communications module is energized. The ridge on ...

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 20 caution: do not install the pv cell temperature sensor in direct sunlight. Choose a pv module that will accurately model the average of the panel temperature. Keep in mind that most pv modules on the edge of an array are cooler becaus...

  • Page 27: Commissioning

    Chapter 5 • commissioning 21 chapter 5 commissioning 5.1 powering up after all connections have been made, check the polarity of all wires and connections to verify they are secured in the terminals and the terminal screws are tight and connected to the proper terminals. If the polarity of the wires...

  • Page 28: Maintenance

    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 22 chapter 6 maintenance the weather station sensors should be cleaned periodically. Sensors can be cleaned using a damp cotton cloth. Note: do not submerge sensors the sensors are water resistant, not waterproof. 6.1 calibration calibra...

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    Chapter 6 • maintenance 23 5 fill a container of water with enough ice that it will not melt quickly. 6 place the temperature sensor and thermometer into the container. Turn on the power supply and the current meter. Let the sensor stabilize for 30 minutes before taking any measurements. 7 record th...

  • Page 30: Troubleshooting

    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 24 chapter 7 troubleshooting sensor reading incorrectly 1 verify power source is supplying correct voltage. 2 clean the sensor. 3 confirm the sensor’s calibration. 4 confirm the sensor is connected to the proper terminals. 7.1 technical ...

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    Chapter 7 • troubleshooting 25 • include a written statement describing the problem(s). • insure your shipment; the warranty does not cover damage incurred during transit. • send the package with shipping prepaid to our address at: national semiconductor 3875 kifer rd santa clara, ca 95051.

  • Page 33: Reference Diagrams

    Appendix a • reference diagrams 27 appendix a reference diagrams.

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    National semiconductor • solarmagic weather station user guide 28 a.1.1 sensor terminal blocks.

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    Appendix a • reference diagrams 29 a.1.2 communications/power terminal block.

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    2900 semiconductor drive santa clara, ca 95051 phone 877-765-6244 fax 866-816-1201 www.Solarmagic.Com support@solarmagic.Com © 2010 national semiconductor corporation. National semiconductor is a registered trademark and solarmagic is a trademark of national semiconductor corporation. All rights res...