Campbell MSX10 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R,
MSX30R, and MSX50R
Solar Panels
July 2009
Copyright © 2007
Campbell Scientific (Canada)Corp.

WARRANTY AND ASSISTANCE
This equipment is warranted by CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP. (“CSC”) to
be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for
twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless specified otherwise. ***** Batteries
are not warranted. ***** CSC's obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or
replacing (at CSC's option) defective products. The customer shall assume all costs of
removing, reinstalling, and shipping defective products to CSC. CSC will return such
products by surface carrier prepaid. This warranty shall not apply to any CSC products
which have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents of nature, or
shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied,
including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. CSC is not
liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
Products may not be returned without prior authorization. To obtain a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA), contact CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP.,
at [phone]. An RMA number will be issued in order to facilitate Repair Personnel
in identifying an instrument upon arrival. Please write this number clearly on the outside
of the shipping container. Include description of symptoms and all pertinent details.
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP. does not accept collect calls.
Non-warranty products returned for repair should be accompanied by a purchase order to
cover repair costs.

MSX Solar Panels Table of Contents
PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
the Adobe Acrobat® bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.
1. General .........................................................................1
2. Specifications ..............................................................1
3. Installation....................................................................1
3.1 Mounting ..................................................................................................1
3.2 Orientation................................................................................................3
4. Maintenance .................................................................4
5. Power Considerations.................................................5
5.1 Solar Power and Lead Acid Batteries.......................................................5
5.2 Voltage Regulator.....................................................................................5
6. Appendix A....................................................................6
Mounting the MSX50R Solar Panel with the C1286…………………………7
Figures
1. Solar Panel Mounting .................................................................................2
2. Regulated Solar Panel and External Battery...............................................3
3. Angle Settings on Mounting Bracket .........................................................4
Tables
1. Solar Panel Tilt Angle ................................................................................3
This is a blank page.
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and
MSX50R Solar Panels
1. General
The solar panel is a photovoltaic power source used for charging lead acid
batteries. The MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R are 10,
20, 20, 30, and 50-watt solar panels, respectively.
The MSX10 Solar Panels has two leads stripped and tinned to insert into the
terminals labeled 'CHG' on the PS100 or PS12LA Charging Regulator. With a
CR7, the two wires from the solar panel are inserted into the terminals marked
SOLAR PANEL located underneath the 700X Control Module. An external
lead acid battery can be connected to the CR7 at the terminals marked
EXTERNAL BATTERY next to the SOLAR PANEL terminals.
The MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R are regulated solar panels with two
stripped and tinned leads for direct connection to an external 12-volt lead acid
battery.
2. Specifications
MSX10 MSX20/ MSX20R MSX30R MSX50R
Typical peak power (Pp) 10 W 20 W 30W 50W
Voltage @ peak power (Vpp)
(voltage from solar panel before regulator) 17.1 V 17.1 V 17.1 17.5
Current @ peak power (Ipp) 0.60 A 1.17 A 1.75 A 2.9 A
Guaranteed minimum peak power 10 W 20 W 30 50
Approximate effect of temperature on
power
-0.37%/°C -0.38%/°C -.38/°C -.38/°C
Length, cm 42.0 50.1 59.2 83.9
Width, cm 26.9 42.0 50.1 53.7
Depth, cm 2.3 5.0 5 5
Weight, kg 1.50 2.95 5.29 6.0
The above solar panel characteristics assume a 1 kilowatt per
square meter illumination and a solar panel temperature of 25°C.
Individual panels may vary up to 10%. The output panel voltage
increases as the panel temperature decreases.
NOTE
3. Installation
3.1 Mounting
The panel should be mounted facing south if located in the Northern
Hemisphere, or facing north in the Southern Hemisphere. The solar panel
mounts to the mast or leg of the CM10/CM6 Tripod, or any 1 5/8" schedule 40
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
pipe, see Figure 1. See Appendix A for information about mounting the
MSX50R. The panel should be mounted to the pipe using the U-bolts and 5/16
NC (course) nuts provided with the solar panel. The nuts fastening the bracket
to the pipe should be as tight as possible without bending the bracket.
If the MSX10 solar panel is being used, route the solar panel cable to the
datalogger power supply and charging circuitry. If the MSX20R, MSX30R, or
MSX50R is being used, attach the leads of the solar panel directly to the external
battery with a user supplied connector. Figure 2 shows an example of a regulated
solar panel connected to an external battery to run a radiotelemetry system.
SOLAR PANEL ON LEG
(ALTERNATE POSITION)
SOLAR PANEL ON MAST
015 PYRANOMETER
MOUNTING ARM
GILL RADIATION SHIELD
DATALOGGER ENCLOSURE
FIGURE 1. Solar Panel Mounting
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
RF MODEM
RADIO MSX10R
M
S
X2
0
R
DATALOGGER
12 V BATTERY
FIGURE 2. Regulated Solar Panel and External Battery
3.2 Orientation
The solar panel should be oriented to receive maximum insolation (incident
solar radiation) over the course of a year. Suggested tilt angles of the solar
panel are given in Table 1.
After determining the tilt angle, loosen the 5/16" nuts on each side of the solar
panel mounting bracket, adjust the panel, and tighten the nuts to secure the
position. See Figure 3.
TABLE 1. Solar Panel Tilt Angle*
Site Latitude (N or S) Tilt Angle
0 −10°10°
11 −20°Latitude +5°
21 −45 Latitude +10°
46 −65 Latitude +15°
> 65 80°
*From "Design Aids for Small PV Power Systems", Solorex Corp.
In locations of high snowfall it may be necessary to mount the
solar panel vertically. This will help avoid the accumulation of
snow and ice on the solar panel.
NOTE
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
FIGURE 3. Angle Settings on Mounting Bracket
4. Maintenance
An occasional cleaning of the glass improves the solar panel's efficiency.
If a problem with the solar panel is suspected, the panel may be checked by
measuring the voltage output. Check the voltage with a voltmeter connected
between the two leads of the solar panel. There must be solar radiation
incident on the panel and there must be a load connected to the solar panel.
The load can be the datalogger, other equipment, or a 75 ohm resistor capable
of dissipating solar panel power between the two leads. No voltage output
implies a bad solar panel, regulator, or cable. The magnitude of the voltage
output depends on the incident solar radiation.
5. Power Considerations
5.1 Solar Power and Lead Acid Batteries
The solar panel converts light energy to electricity, or specifically direct
current. The direct current produced is used as a charging source for lead acid
batteries.
The solar panel operates in both direct and diffuse light (cloudy days), but not
at night.
The minimum battery size and solar panel output required depends on 1) the
average current drain of the system, 2) the maximum time the battery must supply
power to the system without being charged, and 3) the location of the site. When
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
5
some batteries are discharged below a specified voltage, the battery becomes
damaged and cannot be recharged.
The battery supplies power directly to the operating system, the solar panel
supplies power to recharge the battery. Therefore, on the average, the solar panel
must provide at least as much power to the battery as is being used by the system.
The battery must have enough capacity to power the system during times of no
charging (night) or low charging (stormy winter days).
5.2 Voltage Regulator
The solar panel must be regulated either with a Campbell Scientific regulator or an
attached regulator. The regulator has two basic functions: 1) blocks any current
flow from the battery to the solar panel, and 2) limits the source current to the
battery.
The MSX10 is unregulated and must be connected to a Campbell Scientific
voltage regulator. These regulators include the PS100, PS12LA, PS512M,
CH12R, CH512R, CH100, CR23X rechargeable base, 21XL base, CR200 series
dataloggers, and the CR7 solar panel input.
The MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R have a voltage regulator attached. These
panels are connected directly to a battery.
This is a blank page.

Appendix A: Mounting the MSX50R Solar Panel with
the C1286
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
The following are steps to assemble and attach the C1286 mounting kit to the
MSX50R(-L) 50W solar panel. Figure A.1 is an overview of the components
that make up the C1286 mounting bracket.
Crossarm Brackets Foot Brackets
Adapter Plate
Mounting Hardware
Backplate
Solar Panel
Mounting Hardware
C1286 Assembly
Hardware
A.1 – C1286 Overview
A.2 – C1286 Assembly Hardware A.3 – Solar Panel Mounting Hardware
Figure A.2 shows the bolt and nut with washers (2 flat & 1 lock washer) used to
assemble the C1286. Figure A.3 shows the bolt and nut with washers (1 flat & 1
lock washer) used to attach the solar panel to the C1286 mounting bracket.
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
Step 1:
Loosely attach both of the foot brackets to the slot located at each end of the
back plate (Figure A.4).
Figure A.4 – Mounting Foot Brackets
Step 2:
Loosely assemble crossarm brackets with foot brackets (Figure A.5).
Figure A.5 – Mounting Crossarm Brackets
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
Step 3:
Place solar panel box on flat surface from which you can work. Remove lid of
solar panel box, so that the panel is facedown. Place the C1286 bracket on top
of the panel and line up the appropriate hole in the panel with the slots of the
crossarm. Be sure to keep the panel and C1286 square to one another, and have
mounting hardware evenly spaced in slots.
Note: The occupied cable entry seals must be oriented so that they will be facing
down once installed.
Figure A.6 – Align C1286 and Solar Panel
Step 4:
Attach and secure the solar panel to the C1286 mounting bracket (Figure A.7).
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MSX10, MSX20, MSX20R, MSX30R, and MSX50R Solar Panels
Figure A.7 – Hardware Securing Solar Panel
Step 5:
Tighten the hardware attaching the foot bracket to the back plate.
In order to optimize solar insolation refer to Section 3.2 of the manual.
Determine the correct tilt angle required for your location, and secure the
crossarm brackets to the foot bracket at the required angle. Depending on the
mounting location, it may be easier to do this while the solar panel is on the
ground.
Step 6:
The solar panel can now be installed. Again, depending on the installation this
step may require two people. Place the supplied adapter plate into the channel
of the back plate. Holding the panel in place, feed the V-bolts around the mast
and through the back plate and adapter plate. Secure the V-bolts in place with
the hardware supplied with the adapter plate mounting hardware. Figure A.8
shows a mock-up of the installation.
Figure A.8 – Solar Panel Installed
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