Armada ARC20-MPPT User manual

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Armada MPPT Charge Controller
ARC20-MPPT / ARC30-MPPT
ARC40-MPPT / ARC60-MPPT
User Manual
*We may modify these specifications without prior notice.

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1. Warnings and Tools Icon Chart
Icons
Name
Description
High Voltage
Highvoltagedevice.
Installation should be performed by an electrician.
High Temperature
This device will produce heat.
Mount device away from other items.
Environmental Hazard
Electronic Equipment. Do not put in landfill.
Wire Cutter
A wire cutter is needed for cutting and stripping wires prior to
connection.
Multimeter
A multimeter is needed for testing equipment and verifying polarity
of cables.
Anti-static Glove
Anti-static gloves are recommended to prevent controller damage
caused bystatic electricity.
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape is recommended to safely insulatespliced or bare
wires.
Screwdriver
A common size screwdriver is needed to attach wires to the
controller.

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2. Safety Tips
•Review this manual thoroughly before attempting installation.
•Beware of any nearby electrical equipment that may interfere with installing this device.
•Solar panels can generate high voltages and currents, make sure your solar panels are completely covered from
sunlight during installation. It is recommended that installation be performed by a qualified electrician.
•Connecting wires to this device can generate sparks, please wear proper insulation gear while installing this device.
•To avoid damage to the battery or controller, use proper fuses in wiring. Please do not hesitate to contact the
professions if you need help with fuse sizing.
•Always keep children away from this device.
•Be certain to use the correct gauge of wire, see below for a table of recommended wire size for various current
loads.
Solar Input Current
5A
10A
20A
30A
40A
60A
Wire Cross Section Area (mm²)
1.5
2.5
5
8
10
12
Wire AWG
15
12
10
8
8
6

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3. Product Features
Thank you for choosing Armada products! This MPPT solar charge controller is a device for solar charge regulation and
direct current output load control. This device is mainly used in small and medium sized off-grid solar power systems.
These MPPT charge controllers have features as follows:
•By continuously checking solar panel power output changes, the controllers utilizes multiple MPPT charge
algorithms in combination to boost charging efficiency in different weather and temperature conditions.
•Built-in buffer, allows for exceeding rated power input by 25%.
•Charging modes available for most common deep-cycle battery types in the market, including AGM (sealed lead acid
batteries), GEL, Flooded, and Lithium.
•Allows mobile phone APP operation for monitoring and parameters settings, with connection of inbuilt or external
bluetooth communication module (optional accessory, not in the standard package list).
•Auto recognition of 12V/24V battery system voltage by ARC20-MPPT, ARC30-MPPT, ARC40-MPPT model; auto
recognition of 12V/24V/36V/48V battery system voltage by ARC60-MPPT model. Lithium battery excluded from this
feature.
•Supports recording of system running data including power generated and power utilized for up to 300 days,
compatible with monitoring App through IOS and Android.
•Provides multiple load control mode options for light based, time based and manually adjusted scenarios. Low
no-load loss.
•Industrial grade design with reverse polarity protection for solar panels, battery and load.

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4. Device Diagram
ARC20-MPPT, ARC30-MPPT, ARC40-MPPT, ARC60-MPPT
2
3 4 566 7
9
1 8
#
Description
#
Description
1
LCD Display Screen
6
DC Load Terminals
2
Function Key ([SET], [UP], [DOWN], [ESC])
7
RS485 Communication Port
3
External Temperature Sensor Terminal
8
LED Indicator (PV, BAT, LOAD, FAULT)
4
Solar Terminals
9
Installation Mounting Holes
5
Battery Terminals
1

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5. Mounting Instruction

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6. Wire Connection Sequences
During installation of your MPPT controller, please follow the order of connection below:
1. Connect the positive battery wire followed by the negative battery wire.
1. Connect the positive battery wire followed by the negative battery wire.
2. Make sure your solar panels are fully covered to prevent electrical shock.
3. Connect the positive solar array output wire followed by the negative solar array output wire.
4. Connect DC load wires to the DC load output (if applicable).
5. Connect the external temperature sensor to its terminal shown above.
6. Connect the mobile application module to the communication port (if applicable).
7. APP Connection Construction via BT
1. Download the APP “PVChargePro”in IOS APP Store or Google Play Store.
2. Connect the external BT module to the communication port in the controller, and turn on the BT function in your
mobile phone. (no need to connect any communication module if the controller has the inbuilt BT chip).
3. Click open the APP and pairing the controller BT by click on “+”in the upright corner.
4. To run your solar DC power system to test the APP operation and monitoring.
5. Password may be required in the APP for parameter settings, and it’s 123456. If you are not clear about your settings
and you can set it back to default in the APP.
6. Please contact ARMADA professions for technical help, if you require more operation information.

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8. LED Light Signal Interpretation Chart
LED Name
LED Display
Signal Indication
PV
Off
Solar Input Not Charging
*PV LED is generally off at nighttime.
Double Flash
Solar Input Charge Detected
Single Flash
Solar Input Reverse Polarity
Steady On
MPPT Charge Mode
Fast Flash
Equalize or Boost Charge Mode
Slow Flash
Float Mode
BATTERY
Single Flash
Battery Input Reverse Polarity
Fast Flash
Battery Over Voltage
Slow Flash
Battery Over Discharged
Steady On
Battery On
LOAD
Off
No DC Load Connected/Load Off
Fast Flash
DC Load Short Circuit
Steady On
DC Load On
FAULT
Off
No Errors
Steady On
System Error –Check Error Code
Check the Fault light to spot if a system error may be present.

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9. LED Flash Rhythm Chart
Flash
Status
Indication
Description
Steady On
LED light on.
Off
LED light off.
Fast Flash
LED light blinks at frequency of 2Hz
(twice every second).
Slow Flash
LED light blinks at frequency of 0.5Hz
(once every two seconds).
Single
Flash
LED light blinks for 0.1 second after every
2 seconds.
Double
Flash
LED light blinks for 0.1 second twice after
every 4 seconds.
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off

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10. LCD Display Interface Overview
11. LCD Display Interface
Display Section
Display Layout
Charge Status
Charge Mode
&
Parameter
Active Functions

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12. Status Information
Status Icon
Indication
Status
Description
Solar Charge
Indication
Flowing
Solar Power Charging Battery
Off
Solar Power Not Charging Battery
DC Load
Indication
Flowing
DC Load Drawing Power
Off
DC Load Off
Charge Mode
Steady On
MPPT Charge Mode
Boost Charge Mode
Float Charge Mode
Off
Not Charging
Voltage Setting
On
Setting Charge Voltage
Off
Charge Voltage Has Been Set
Over Discharge
Volt Settings
On
Setting Discharge Voltage
Off
Discharge Voltage Has Been Set
Solar Icon
Steady On
Daylight Detected
Off
No Daylight Detected
Fast Flash
Solar System Over Voltage
Battery Icon
Steady On
Battery Connected and Functional
Off
No Battery Connection
Fast Flash
Battery Over-Discharged
Load Status
Flash
DC Load Short Circuit or Over-Load
ON
Load On
OFF
Load Off

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13. Key Functionality Chart
.
Function Key
System Mode
Input
Input Function
View Mode
Short Press
Enter SET mode
View Mode
Short Press
View Previous Page
View Mode
Short Press
View Next Page
View Mode
Short Press
DC Load On/Off
(Manual Control Program Only)
Function Key
System Mode
Input
Input Function
Set Mode
Long Press
Save Data & Exit SET Mode
Short Press
Next Setting
Set Mode
Short Press
Increase Parameter Value
Set Mode
Short Press
Decrease Parameter Value
Set Mode
Short Press
Exit SET Mode Without Saving

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14. LCD Display Rules & Cycles
Pre start-up display cycle when the MPPT controller turns on, this usually last several seconds while controller detects
operating environment.
LED Screen Display Cycle
•The battery voltage view will be displayed by default. Use the up and down arrow keys to cycle through different
views. The battery voltage view will resume upon 30 seconds of inactivity. The error code view will be displayed
when an error is detected. The backlight in the screen will be on for 20 seconds with any button operation.

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Setting Battery Mode
Enter SET mode by pressing the Setting key in any view page other than Load Mode.
Use the up and down arrow keys to select battery mode, then long press Setting key to save.
Abbreviations
Battery Types
Description
FLD
Flooded Battery
Auto-recognition with default parameters set for
each type of batteries.
SEL
Sealed/AGM Battery
GEL
Gel Battery
LI
Lithium Battery
Some parameters can be customized.
Use
Advanced User Mode
Most parameters can be customized.

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Advanced Battery Settings
In Lithium or User mode, short press the Setting key again to cycle through each parameter view.
Use the up and down arrow key to adjust parameter value, then long press Setting key to save.
For Battery Type: Li
For Battery Type: USER

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Load Mode Settings
Enter Load SET Mode by pressing the Setting key in Load Mode view only.
Use the arrow key to cycle through load modes before long pressing SET to save and exit. Short pressing SET will exit
without saving.
Mode
Definition
Description
0
Daylight Auto-Control
DC load turns on when no daylight is detected.
1~14
Daylight On/Timer Off
DC load turns on when no daylight is detected.
DC load turns off according to timer.
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Manual Mode
DC load turns on/off by pressing the Return key.
16
Testing Mode
DC load turns on and off in a quick succession.
17
Always On
DC load stays on.

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15. Error Code Chart
Code
Error
Description & Quick Troubleshoot
E00
No Error
No action needed.
E01
Battery
Over-discharged
Battery voltage is too low.
DC load will be turned off until battery re-charges to recovery voltage.
E02
Battery
Over-voltage
Battery voltage has exceeded controller limit.
Check battery bank voltage for compatibility with controller.
E04
Load Short Circuit
DC load short circuit.
E05
Load Overload
DC load power draw exceeds controller capability. Reduce load size or
upgrade to a higher load capacity controller.
E06
Overheating
Controller exceeds operating temperature limit.
Ensure the controller is placed in a well-ventilated cool, dry place.
E08
Solar Over-amperage
Solar array amperage exceeds controller rated input amperage.
Decrease the amperage of solar panels connected to the controller or
upgrade to a higher rated controller.
E10
Solar Over-voltage
Solar array voltage exceeds controller rated input voltage.
Decrease the voltage of solar panels connected to the controller.
E13
Solar
Reverse Polarity
Solar array input wires connected with reverse polarity.
Disconnect and re-connect with correct wire polarity.
E14
Battery
Reverse Polarity
Battery connection wires connected with reverse polarity. Disconnect
and re-connect with correct wire polarity.
*Please contact ARMADA professions for technical support on additional troubleshooting.

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Controller Specification
The variable “n” is adopted as a multiplying factor when calculating parameter voltages, the rule for “n” is listed as: if
battery system voltage is 12V, n=1; 24V, n=2; 36V, n=3; 48V, n=4.
For example, the equalize charge voltage for a 12V FLD (Flooded) battery bank is 14.8V*1=14.8V. The equalizing charge
voltage for a 24V FLD (Flooded) battery bank is 14.8V*2=29.6V.
Parameter
Value
Model No.
ARC20-MPPT
ARC30-MPPT
ARC40-MPPT
ARC60-MPPT
System Grounded
Negative Grounded
Battery System Voltage
12V/24V
Auto (FLD/GEL/SLD)
Manual (Li/User)
12V/24V/36V/48V
Auto (FLD/GEL/SLD)
Manual (Li/User)
No-load Loss
12ma (12V), 10ma (24V)
12ma (12V), 10ma
(24V),
8ma (36V), 6ma (48V)
Max Solar Input Voltage
<100Voc
<150Voc
Rated Solar Charge Current
20A
30A
40A
60A
Max Solar Input Power
300W/12V
600W/24V
450W/12V
900W/24V
600W/12V
1200W/24V
900W/12V
1800W/24V
2600W/36V
3200W/48V
Light Control Voltage
5V*n
Light Control Delay Time
10s
Max Load Output Current
20A
Operating Temperature
-35ºC ~ +45ºC
IP Protection
IP32
Net Weight
1.0 kg
2.0 kg
2.0 kg
3.0 kg
Communication Port
RS485
Operating Altitude
≤ 3000 meters
Controller Dimension
180*140*71 mm
245*180*82.5 mm
280*210*90 mm
Parameter
Battery Parameters
Battery Types
FLD
SEL
GEL(default)
USER(adjustable)
LI (adjustable)
Equalize Charge Voltage
14.8V*n
14.6V*n
--
Default
--
Boost Charge Voltage
14.6V*n
14.4V*n
14.2V*n
Default: GEL
Default: 14.2V*n
Float Charge Voltage
13.8V*n
Default: GEL
--
Boost Charge Recovery Voltage
13.2V*n
Default: GEL
--
Over-discharge Recovery Voltage
12.6V*n
Default: GEL
--
Over-discharge Voltage
11.1V*n
Default: GEL
Default: 11.1V*n
AutoTemperature Compensation
-3mV/2V/℃
Default: GEL
--

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16. Product Dimension
ARC60-MPPT
Product Dimension: 280*210*90mm
Installation Area Dimension: 256*154.5mm
Installation Hole Size: φ5mm&φ10mm
Connection Socket Size: 7.5*7.5mm
ARC20-MPPT
Product Dimension: 180*140*71.1mm
Installation Area Dimension: 164*90mm
Installation Hole Size: φ5mm&φ10mm
Connection Socket Size: 7.5*7.5mm
ARC30-MPPT & ARC40-MPPT
Product Dimension: 245*180*82.5mm
Installation Area Dimension: 226*138mm
Installation Hole Size: φ5mm&φ10mm
Connection Socket Size: 7.5*7.5mm