Apricus MFC-1 User manual

1. Current Time
2. Icons
3. Relays
4. Relay 2,3 & 4 function
5. Relay R1 % speed
6. Relay 2,3 & 4 ON/OFF status
7. Flow rate (VFS or calculated)
8. Operation mode
9. Relay timer status
10. Temp sensor readings
Apricus MFC-1 Controller
Software Pack Manual
Software Pack
SOL-02
1. SOFTWARE PACK OVERVIEW
This software pack provides a set of standard functions suitable for atmospheric solar storage tanks. Functions are included to operate a drain back
system configuration as well as closed loop systems.
Relay 1 (R1) is dedicated to the solar pump operation. The additional 3 relays (R2, 3 & 4) can be used to operate a number of additional pumps or
valves using the following function selections:
2. SYSTEM DIAGRAMS
The following diagram show the possible configurations that can be achieved. The complexity of the system is limited by the 5 sensors and 4 output
relays. Certain functions cannot be used concurrently due to conflicting requirements for sensor placement (Eg. POOL and SOLAR IQ).
3. MAIN DISPLAY OVERVIEW
Copyright © 2013, Apricus Inc 1A11-03.1.4.2-PB-V1 Jan 2013
IMPORTANT
This is a supplement to the full Apricus MFC-1 Controller Manual provided available from the www.apricus.com website.
Refer to the full manual for complete safety and operating instructions.
The controller must be set for USER menu once the system is commissioned. The end USER may only access and make changes to
those settings contained in the USER menu. TECHNICIAN settings may only be changed by qualified persons.
Incorrect settings may result in unsafe system operation.
4. INFORMATION SCREENS
Scroll through information screens by
pressing ↑or ↓buttons.
4.1. MODE SCREEN:
•Choose from OFF, AUTO or MANUAL
modes of operation.
•The controller will always start in OFF
mode after a SOFTWARE UPDATE or
SOFTWARE DEFAULT reset.
•Change to AUTO mode for normal
controller operation.
•Use MANUAL mode to control relays
and check variable speed pump
operation.
•Always select EXIT and press SET to
return to normal operation.
4.2. ERROR SCREEN:
•To review errors, press SET then ↑or
↓to scroll. If an error has occurred it
will show the most recent occurrence
date & time and total occurrences.
•To clear all errors, scroll to CLEAR
ALL ERRORS, press SET, select YES
then SET to confirm.
•To leave the ERRORS screen, scroll to
the bottom and select EXIT.
4.3. RELAY, TEMP & ENERGY SCREENS:
These screens provide basic summary of
the system operation. To reset the
information choose RESET DATA in the
SETUP menu.
Freeze protection active
Technician menu active
Error(s) have occurred
Solar energy available
= timer active
Auto or Manual Boost Mode
Aor M
SD card inserted
•BOOST: Runs pump for heating tank from auxiliary heat source.
•FILL: Run pump or opens valve to fill tank when water level drops
•2ND: Runs 2nd solar pump for extra head pressure.
•EX-HEX: Runs pump if using external HEX for solar loop.
•FLOW: Run a circulation pump when flow switch signal received.
•POOL: Runs pump for pool/hot-tub heating.
•TIME: Control relays simply based on timer settings
1
5
6
89
10
7
43
2
R3
MODE : AUTO
R1 50%
V-F 2.5Lpm
Flow
R2 Boost
R4 2nd
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
V-T
08:26
65 C
55 C
58 C
63 C
69 C
55 C
A
Water Level Status
= ON = OFF
R3
EXIT
R1 50%
V-F 1.8Gpm
Off
R2 On
R4 Off
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
V-T
MODE: MANUAL
140 F
120 F
125 F
138 F
150 F
138 F
R1
R2
R3
R4
RELAY ACTIVITY
25m
15m
5m
0m
1hour
4h
2h
8h
0h
24hour
290h
45h
90h
0h
Total
E10 : NONE
E11 : 05/03/2012 10:24 02
CLEAR ALL ERRORS
ERRORS
AVERAGE TEMPS
1hour 24hour Total
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
140 F
120 F
125 F
138 F
150 F
110 F
120 F
125 F
138 F
150 F
115 F
120 F
125 F
138 F
150 F
ENERGY OUTPUT
7 days
30 days
Operating
Day Average
65kWh
320kWh
55days
7.2kWh
Today 11kWh
R3
MODE : AUTO
R1 50%
V-F 4Gpm
Flow
R2 Boost
R4 2nd
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
V-T
08:26
140 F
120 F
125 F
138 F
150 F
138 F
A
SOLAR
PUMP
T1
R1
R2/3/4
FILL
FS
FLOW
R2/3/4
R2/3/4
T4
POOL
BOOST
R2/3/4
EX-HEX
R2/3/4
T2
T5
T3
2ND
PUMP
R2/3/4
VFS
T4 WL1
WL2

5. CONTROLLER OPERATION
5.1. CHANGING SETTINGS
•Press SET to enter function menu
•Press ↑or ↓to navigate menus
•Press SET to enter sub-menu
‣Press SET to edit setting
‣Press ↑or ↓to change value
‣Press SET to confirm
•Some functions can be turned OFF by exceeding the upper or
lower range. They are identified by (↑↓) after the range.
•Press ↑and ↓together to QUICK EXIT to main screen
6. USER vs TECHNICIAN menus
USER menu allows the viewing and editing of only basic functions.
TECHNICIAN menu allows the viewing and editing of all functions.
•To change status, hold ↑and ↓together for 10 seconds
•icon displayed on Main Screen for TECHNICIAN menu.
•Always return to USER menu when finished editing settings.
6.1. USER MENU
The following items are available in the USER menu.
6.1.1. TIME SET: 24hour format. Set hours then minutes
6.2.2. DATE SET: Select date format, then set date.
6.2.3. RESET DATA: Reset quick display records (not SD card data).
6.2.4. DATA INTERVAL: Set data recording interval (30sec - 60min).
6.2.5. BOOST: Set AUTO or MANUAL boost operation.
•Can also be toggled between AUTO or MANUAL settings by
holding ↓button for 5 seconds when at HOME screen.
•Top of HOME scree shows A = Auto or M = Manual icon to indicate
boost status.
•To complete a single boost (or toggle ON/OFF) press and hold ↑
button for 5 seconds. Single boost will active the relay and turn off
once the BOOST OFF temperature setting has been reached.
•Set to MANUAL boost mode when on holidays to avoid daily
automatic boosting. SAFE BOOST and TANK MIN boosting will
still operate in MANUAL mode.
6.2.6. BOOST TIME: Only available if BOOST function configured.
•Choose TIMER to set up to 2 daily timer periods for the BOOST
operation. Only applicable when in AUTO boost mode.
•Choose NOT SET to allow normal operation of the BOOST
function.
•Single Boost can be activated outside of set timer periods. It will
run until BOOST OFF temperature is reached.
6.2. TECHNICIAN MENU
Following items (7 - 12) are only available in the TECHNICIAN menus.
7. SETUP
Software packs are available that provide different function sets
allowing a wider variety of system configurations. All software packs
share the following standard SETUP functions:
7.1. TIME SET: 24 hour format. Set hours then minutes
7.2. DATE SET: Select date format, then set date.
7.3. UNITS: Select Metric (oC & Lpm) or US units (oF & Gpm).
7.4. ENERGY: Select kWh or kBtu for energy recording.
7.5. SOFTWARE DEFAULT: Reset controller to default settings.
7.6. RESET DATA: Reset quick display records (not SD card data).
7.7. DATA INTERVAL: Set frequency for data recording (5sec - 60min).
7.8. UPDATE SOFTWARE: Upgrade to new/different software pack.
7.9. VER: Displays the current installed software pack name.
8. SYSTEM - Relay function selection
8.1. RELAY 1: Select YES if solar pump is installed.
8.2. R1 TYPE: Select FIXED or VARIABLE speed pump control.
8.3. R1 SPEED: Circulation pump speed based on R1 TYPE setting.
•If VARIABLE, set minimum speed: Default: 50%, Range: 30~100%
•If FIXED, set constant speed. Default: 100%
8.4. R1 FLOW: Used to calculate solar energy output if no VFS is
installed.
•If VARIABLE, set Minimum and Maximum flow rates.
•If FIXED, set constant flow rate.
Copyright © 2013, Apricus Inc 2A11-03.1.4.2-PB-V1 Jan 2013
8.5. R1 LIQUID: Select from WATER or OTHER. For OTHER liquids,
such as glycol/water mixes, set an adjustment factor for the calculation
of energy. The table below provides % values for glycol based liquids,
refer to the full installation manual for more information.
•If OTHER set % value. Range: 50~100%
Glycol %
Adjustment %
Glycol %
Adjustment %
0% (plain water)
100%
30% glycol
95%
10% glycol
99%
40% glycol
92%
20% glycol
98%
50% glycol
89%
8.6. R1 TIMER: Set up to 2 daily operating periods (24hr time format).
8.7. RELAY 2/3/4: Select from BOOST, 2ND, EX-HEX, FLOW, FILL,
POOL, TIME or NO (No function assigned)
8.8. R2,3,4 TIMER: Set up to 2 daily operating periods (24hr time
format) for each relay.
8.9. VFS: Select VFS (Grundfos VFS flow meter) or NO.
•Select VFS model: 1-12, 2-40, 5-100, 10-200, 20-400
8.10. WATER LEVEL 1: Select from YES or NO for WL1 switch usage.
When water drops enough for WL1 float switch to provide signal, screen
icon will change from to indicating water top-up is needed.
For automatic tank filling the FILL function must be assigned to a relay.
8.11. WATER LEVEL 2: Select from YES or NO for WL2 switch usage.
When water drops enough for WL2 float switch to provide signal, screen
icon will change from constant to flashing .
System shutdown occurs, Error 9 and 5 audible beeps will be sounded.
Note on Relay Timers: Normal operation will only occur during timer
periods. To disable timers, choose NOT SET.
9. SOLAR - Settings to control solar collector circulation.
9.1. SOLAR: Settings to manage solar collector circulation. icon will
be displayed on the HOME screen once START TEMP is exceeded.
•START: If solar collector (T1) is above setting, monitor SOLAR-ON.
‣Default: 30oC / 86oF, Range: 20~80oC / 68~176oF (↑↓)
•ON: If T1-T2 ∆T is above setting, turn R1 solar pump ON.
‣Default: 8oC / 14oF, R a n g e: 5~50oC / 9~90oF (↑↓)
•OFF: If T1-T2 ∆T is below setting, turn R1 solar pump OFF
‣Default: 2oC / 4oF, Range: 2~40oC / 4~72oF (↑↓)
9.2. SOLAR IQ: Switches from reading collector temperature (T1) to
return line (T4) for SOLAR ON/OFF operation after set period of solar
pump (R1) operation.
•Set time delay to switch from T1-T2 to T4-T2 ∆T measurement.
‣Default: OFF, Range: 30~180 sec (↑↓)
Note: T4 must be installed close to tank on return (collector to tank) line.
Not available if POOL function is used.
9.3. FREEZE: Circulates the solar pump to keep collector warm.
•ON: If T1 is below setting, turn R1 solar pump ON
‣Default: OFF, Range: -20~4oC / -4~41oF (↑↓)
•OFF: If T1 is above setting, turn R1 solar pump OFF.
‣Default: OFF, Range: -10~20oC / 14~68oF (↑↓)
9.4. 2ND PUMP: Runs 2nd pump for set time period each time SOLAR
ON activates R1 (For drain back systems)
•Set 2nd pump run time after R1 turns on.
‣Default: OFF, Range: 30~180sec
Note: If variable speed is active, 2nd pump will continue beyond run
time if R1 is still at 100%, as siphon has not yet been achieved.
9.5. EX-HEX: After a set time delay turns ON tank side circulation
pump for external HEX each time SOLAR ON activates R1.
•Set time delay before activating EX-HEX pump.
‣Default: OFF, Range: 5~60sec
9.6. COL MAX: Sets maximum operating temperature for solar loop.
•If solar collector (T1) is above 95oC / 203oF setting, turn solar
operation OFF. Set below 100oC / 212oF for drain back systems.
‣Default: 95oC / 203oF, Range: 80~160oC / 176~320oF (↑↓)
SET

10. TANK -Settings to control storage tank operation
10.1. TANK MAX: Solar input stops once this temperature is reached.
•If bottom of tank (T2) is above setting, turn solar operation OFF.
‣Default: 75oC / 167oF, Range: 65~85oC / 149~185oF (↑↓)
‣Rule: TANK MAX > BOOST OFF.
10.2. TANK MIN: Activates BOOST to prevent tank from freezing.
•If mid tank (T3) is below setting, BOOST ON.
‣Default: OFF, Range: 2~40oC / 35~104oF (↑↓)
Note: TANK MIN operates even outside TIMER periods and when
MANUAL boost mode is active. Once ON, will turn OFF once BOOST
OFF temperature (T3) setting is reached.
10.3. BOOST: External heat source boosting of storage tank.
•Choose from MANUAL or AUTO.
‣MANUAL: Only boosts by manual operation, refer to USER
menu overview on page 1 for more details.
‣AUTO: Follows BOOST ON/OFF temperature settings.
•ON: If T3 below setting turn BOOST pump ON.
‣Default: 55oC / 131oF, Range: 40~70oC / 105~160oF
•OFF: If T3 active setting turn BOOST pump OFF.
‣Default: 65oC / 149oF, Range: 50~80oC / 120~180oF
11. POOL - Settings to control POOL heating (if assigned to relay)
11.1. POOL: Settings to control heating of pool. Required flow switch
(pool flow) input to WL1 to start any pump activity. ~30sec delay before
ON.
•START: If mid tank (T3) is above setting monitor POOL ON.
‣Default: 60oC / 140oF, Range: 40~70oC / 104~158oF
•ON: If pool flow (T4) is below setting, turn pump ON.
‣Default: 25oC / 86oF, Range: 20~45oC / 68~113oF
•OFF:If pool flow (T4) is above setting, turn pump OFF.
‣Default: 27oC / 80oF, Range: 22~50oC / 71~122oF
Copyright © 2013, Apricus Inc 3A11-03.1.4.2-PB-V1 Jan 2013
12. ERRORS - System error management
12.1. DISABLING ERRORS: Errors can be turned OFF if not used or
not installed (i.e. Sensors T4 and T5 not used);
•E1-E6 have ON/OFF selection
•E7-E10 can be turned OFF by exceed the range temperatures.
12.2. ERROR OVERVIEW:
•E1,2,3,4,5: Failure of sensors T1,2,3,4,5 respectively, System
Shutdown will occur & error recorded.
•E6: Failure of VFS input, System Shutdown will occur & E6
recorded.
•E7 (TANK HIGH): If tank (T2, T3 or T5) is above setting System
Shutdown will occur and E7 recorded.
‣Default: 90oC / 194oF, Range: 65~95oC / 149~203oF
•E8 (TANK LOW): If mid tank (T3) is below setting E8 recorded.
‣Default: 10oC / 50oF, Range: 2~39oC / 36~102oF
•E9 (LOW WATER): If WL2 switch signal is provided E9 recorded
and System Shutdown.
12.3. SYSTEM SHUTDOWN (SS): During System Shutdown:
•All relay activity is stopped
•Audible alarm for ~30 seconds
•Error message is displayed
•Backlit screen continually flashes.
•To return to normal operation all errors must be cleared in the Error
Screen menu.
E9 : NONE
E10 : 05/03/2012 10:24 01
CLEAR ALL ERRORS
ERRORS
SYSTEM HAS BEEN
SHUTDOWN
PLEASE CHECK ERRORS
PRESS SET TO EXIT
*IMPORTANT NOTICE*
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
RELAY 1
R1 TYPE
R1 SPEED
R1 FLOW (FIXED)
R1 FLOW (MIN)
R1 FLOW (MAX)
R1 LIQUID
% IF OTHER
R1 TIMER 1 (ON-OFF)
R1 TIMER 2 (ON-OFF)
R2 RELAY USE
R2 TIMER 1 (ON-OFF)
R2 TIMER 2 (ON-OFF)
R3 RELAY USE
R3 TIMER 1 (ON-OFF)
R3 TIMER 2 (ON-OFF)
R4 RELAY USE
R4 TIMER 1 (ON-OFF)
R4 TIMER 2 (ON-OFF)
VFS USE
VFS MODEL
WATER LEVEL 1
WATER LEVEL 2
SOLAR
SOLAR
SOLAR START
SOLAR ON
SOLAR OFF
SOLAR IQ
FREEZE ON
FREEZE OFF
2ND PUMP
EX-HEX TIME
COL-MAX
TANK
TANK
TANK MAX
TANK MIN
BOOST (AUTO/MANUAL)
BOOST ON
BOOST OFF
POOL
POOL
POOL START
POOL ON
POOL OFF
ERRORS
ERRORS
ERROR 1 (T1 FAIL)
ERROR 2 (T2 FAIL)
ERROR 3 (T3 FAIL)
ERROR 4 (T4 FAIL)
ERROR 5 (T5 FAIL)
ERROR 6 (VFS FAIL)
ERROR 7 (TANK HIGH)
ERROR 8 (TANK LOW)
ERROR 9 (LOW WATER)
CALIBRATE (SENSORS)
CALIBRATE (SENSORS)
CALIBRATE T1
CALIBRATE T2
CALIBRATE T3
CALIBRATE T4
CALIBRATE T5
FUNCTION SETTINGS RECORD (FILL IN VALUES)