EP Solar ViewStar Series User manual

ViewStar series
——Solar Charge Controller
User Manual
Model:
VS4524BN

Important Safety Instructions
Please keep this manual for future review.
This manual contains all instructions of safety, installation and operation for VS BN series controller ("the
controller" as referred to in this manual).
General Safety Information
Read carefully all the instructions and warnings in the manual before installation.
No user serviceable components inside the controller. DO NOT disassemble or attempt to repair the
controller.
Mount the controller indoors. Avoid exposure the components and do not allow water to enter the
controller.
Install the controller in a well ventilated place. The controller’s heat sink may become very hot during
operation.
Suggest installing appropriate external fuses/breakers.
Make sure to switch off all PV array connections and the battery fuse/breakers before controller
installation and adjustment.
Power connections must remain tight to avoid excessive heating from loose connection.

CONTENTS
1. General Information...........................................................................1
1.1 Overview.....................................................................................1
1.2 Characteristics.............................................................................2
2. Installation Instructions.....................................................................3
2.1 General Installation Notes............................................................3
2.2 Installation and Wiring..................................................................3
3. HMI Interface ......................................................................................6
3.1 Button..........................................................................................6
3.2 Indicator ......................................................................................7
3.3 Operation Interface......................................................................7
4. Accessories (optional).....................................................................18
5. Protections, Troubleshooting and Maintenance.............................20
5.1 Protection..................................................................................20
5.2 Troubleshooting.........................................................................21
5.3 Maintenance..............................................................................22
6. Technical Specifications..................................................................23
Annex Mechanical Dimension Diagram..............................................24

1
1. General Information
1.1 Overview
ViewStar series solar charge controller adopts advanced digital control technology, LCD display and
automatical operation. With the features of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) battery charging and unique
control technology, the controller will improve the long battery life efficiently. Our controller has many
unique features and easy to use.
The controller could charge battery and discharge automatically for off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems.
The charging process has been optimized for long battery life and improved system performance. The
comprehensive self-diagnostics and extensive electronic protection can prevent damage against
incorrect wiring or system faults.
Features:
12/24VDC &automatically identifying system voltage
3-Stage intelligent PWM charging:Bulk, Boost/Equalize, Float
Support 4 charging options: Sealed, Gel, Flooded and user
Lithium battery self-activating function
Battery temperature compensation function
Actual power display and record function
New SOC method calculate the battery capacity accurately
Wide feasibility and recognize day or night automatically
Several load control methods
Hundred percent full load operation in working environment temperature range within charging &
discharging
Extensive electronic protections
Graphical dot-matrix LCD and 4 buttons combinations as HMI (human-machine interface) for full
menu and easy operation
RS-485 ports via the open standard Modbus protocol are supported for long-distance
communication and communication compatibility
Monitoring and setting parameter via Mobile APP, PC Monitor setting software

2
1.2 Characteristics
❶
Battery slot
(battery model is CR2032-3.3V)
❼
RS485 communication port
❷
Local temperature sensor
❽
RTS★port
❸
Fault LED indicator
❾
Mounting Hole Φ4mm
❹
Charging LED indicator
❿
Load Terminals
❺
LCD
⓫
Battery Terminals
❻
Buttons
⓬
PV Terminals
★The controller is charging and discharging at the local temperature sensor when the remote
temperature sensor don’t connect. If the remote temperature sensor is damaged, the controller
will be charging or discharging at the default temperature 25℃.

3
2. Installation Instructions
2.1 General Installation Notes
Read through theentire installation sectionfirst before beginning installation.
Be very careful when working with batteries. Weareye protection. Have fresh water available to wash and
clean any contact with battery acid.
Uses insulated tools and avoidplacing metal objectsnear the batteries.
Explosive battery gasses may be present during charging. So well ventilation of battery box is
recommended.
Avoid direct sunlight and do notinstall in locations where water can enter the controller.
Loose powerconnectionsand/or corroded wires may result in resistive connections that melt wire
insulation, burn surrounding materials, or even cause fire. Ensure tight connections and use cable clamps
to secure cables and prevent them from swaying inmobile applications.
Gel, Sealed or Flooded batteries are recommended, otherkinds please refer to the battery manufacturer.
Battery connection may be wired to onebatteryor a bankof batteries. The following instructions refertoa
singular battery, but it is implied that the battery connection can be made to eitherone battery ora group
of batteries in a battery bank.
Select the system cables according to 3.5A/mm2current density.
2.2 Installation and Wiring
WARNING: Risk of explosion! Never install the controller in a sealed enclose with
flooded batteries! Do not install in a confined area where battery gassed can
accumulate.
CAUTION: The ViewStar controller requires at least 150mm of clearance above and
below for proper air flow. Ventilation is highly recommended if mounted in an
enclosure.
Installation Procedure:
Figure 2-1 Mounting

4
Step 1: Determination of Installation Location and Heat-dissipation Space
Determination of installation location: The controller shall be installed in a place with sufficient air flow
through the radiators of the controller and a minimum clearance of 150 mm from the upper and lower
edges of the controller to ensure natural thermal convection. Please see Figure 2-1: Mounting
CAUTION: If the controller is to be installed in an enclosed box, it is important to ensure
reliable heat dissipation through the box.
Step 2：Connect the system in the order of ❶battery ❷load❸PV arrayin accordance with Figure
2-2,”Schematic Wiring Diagram” and disconnect the system in the reverse order❸❷❶.
CAUTION: While wiring the controller do not close the circuit breaker or fuse and make sure that the
leads of "+" and "-" poles are connected correctly.
CAUTION: A fuse which current is 2 times the rated current of the controller.
NOTE: The controller is common negative one.
CAUTION: Don’t connect the loads with surge power exceeding the ratings.
CAUTION: Secure all wiring for mobile applications. Use cable clamps to prevent cables from
swaying. Unsecured cables create loose and resistive connections which may lead to
excessive heating and fire.
WARNING: Risk of explosion or fire! Never short circuit battery positive (+) and negative (-) or
cables.
Figure 2-2 Schematic of wiring
diagram

5
WARNING: Risk of electric shock! Exercise caution when handling solar wiring. The solar
module(s) high voltage output can cause severe shock or injury. Be careful operation when
installing solar wiring.
Step 3：Grounding
VS BN series is a common-negative controller, where all the negative terminals of PV array, battery and
load can be grounded simultaneously or any one of them will be grounded. However, according to the
practical application, all the negative terminals of PV array, battery and load can also be ungrounded,
but the grounding terminal on its shell must be grounded, which may effectively shield the
electromagnetic interference from the outside, and prevent some electric shock to human body due to
the electrification of the shell.
CAUTION: For common-negative system, such as motorhome, it is recommended to use a
common-negative controller; but if in the common-negative system, some common-positive
equipment are used, and the positive electrode is grounded, the controller may be damaged.
Step 4：Powered on the controller
Closing the battery fuse will switch on the controller. Then check the status of the battery indicator (the
controller is operating normally when the indicator is lit in green). Close the fuse and circuit breaker of
the load and PV array. Then the system will be operating in the preprogrammed mode.
CAUTION: If the controller is not operating properly or the battery indicator on the controller
shows an abnormality, please refer to 5.2 “Troubleshooting”.

6
3. HMI Interface
3.1 Button
Button
Note
Menu
Cursor left button
Cursor up
Number add button
Cursor down
Number reduce button
Enter
cursor right button

7
3.2 Indicator
3.3 Operation Interface
1) Initialization Interface
When controller is powered on, the following picture will be painted during the initialization:
2) Main Menu Interface
After controller is initialized, the monitoring interface will update automatically. Press button
to main menu 1 interface which displays the following contents:
Indicator
Color
Status
Instruction
Green
On Solid
Charging
Red
Flashing
(6Hz)
PV:
Measure Err,
MOS-I Short,
MOS-C Short,
MOS Break
BATT:
OVD,Over Temp
LOAD:
Overload,Short,
MOS Short
DEVICE:
Over Temp
&
Green & Red
Flashing
(6Hz)
BATT:
Rated V Err

8
Press button to enter into main menu 2 and main menu 3 interface which displays the
following contents:
3) Monitoring
Display：Solar array voltage and current→Battery voltage and current→Battery temperature and battery
SOC→Load voltage and current→Real-time clock and imaging system status→System status→
Charging energy statistics→Discharging energy statistics

9
System status icons:
Icons
Status
Icons
Status
Day
ON
Night
OFF
▲
Charging
Normal
Normal
UVW
LVD
LVD
▲Icons indicating battery charging are dynamic effects.
System status :
System
Status
System
Status
PV
Connect
BATT
LVD
Measure Err★
Normal
MOS-C Short★
Rated V Err★
Disconnect
UVW
MOS-I Short★
OVD★
MOS Break★
OverTemp★
BATT
charging status
Equalize
LOAD
On
Float
OverLoad★
Boost
Off
No Charge
Short★

10
DEVICE
Normal
MOS Short★
OverTemp★
★When fault with inverse cursor above exists for 2 minutes along without any operation, it will
jump into that page automatically.
4) Device Set
Display：Date set→ID and LCD backlight time set→TempUnit set
Device parameters
Parameter
Detail
ID
Range：1~200
Clock
Format:dd-mm-yyyy hh-mm-ss
Password
Default：000000
Clear Energy
Press and hold both and button for 3 seconds to enter factory mode in the main
interface. The authority code to clear Energy Log is 102206 as default. The clear operation can’t be
recalled, so take care!

11
5) Parameter Set
◆The interface will prompt only when the SOC is selected in the Batt Mng Mode.
Display：Temperature compensation coefficient→Control parameters interface 1/2/3/4/5

12
Lead-acid battery parameters
The parameters are in 12V system at 25 ºC, please double the values in 24V system.
Battery type
Voltage
Sealed
Gel
Flooded
User
Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage
16.0V
16.0V
16.0V
9～17V
Charging Limit Voltage
15.0V
15.0V
15.0V
9～17V
Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage
15.0V
15.0V
15.0V
9～17V
Equalize Charging Voltage
14.6V
——
14.8V
9～17V
Boost Charging Voltage
14.4V
14.2V
14.6V
9～17V
Float Charging Voltage
13.8V
13.8V
13.8V
9～17V
Boost Reconnect Charging
Voltage
13.2V
13.2V
13.2V
9～17V
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage
12.6V
12.6V
12.6V
9～17V
Under Voltage Warning
Reconnect Voltage
12.2V
12.2V
12.2V
9～17V
Under Voltage Warning Voltage
12.0V
12.0V
12.0V
9～17V
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage
11.1V
11.1V
11.1V
9～17V
Discharging Limit Voltage
10.6V
10.6V
10.6V
9～17V
Equalize Duration
120 min
——
120 min
0～180 min
Boost Duration
120 min
120 min
120 min
10～180 min
Note：
1）When the battery type is sealed, gel, flooded，the adjusting range of equalize duration is 0 to180min
and boost duration is 10 to180min.
2）The following rules must be observed when modify the parameters value in user battery type(factory
default value is the same as sealed type):
a. Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage > Charging Limit Voltage ≥Equalize Charging Voltage ≥Boost
Charging Voltage ≥Float Charging Voltage > Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage;
b. Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage > Over Voltage Reconnect Voltage;
c. Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage > Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage≥Discharging Limit Voltage;
d. Under Voltage Warning Reconnect Voltage > Under Voltage Warning Voltage ≥Discharging Limit
Voltage;
e. Boost Reconnect Charging Voltage > Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage.

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6) Load Set
Display：①Manual /②Light On/Off /③Light On+Timer /④Time
Threshold voltage value
Night Time Threshold Voltage: 6V/12V,12V/24V
Day Time Threshold Voltage: 5V/12V,10V/24V

14
Load working mode
1. Manual(default)
Control ON/OFF of the load via the button or remote commands.
2.Light ON/OFF
3.Light ON+Timer
4.Time
Control the load ON/OFF time through setting the real-time clock.
NOTE: In the mode of Light ON/OFF and Light ON/Timer, the Load is turned on after
10Min. delay.

15
7) Rated Value
▼System Nominal Voltage and Battery Rate Setting
Batt
System nominal voltage
Battery capacity range
12V/24V/Auto
Range :0~9999AH
Battery Type
Battery Type
Note
Sealed (default)
Constant value▲
GEL
Constant value▲
Flooded
Constant value▲
User
Defined by user▲
▲The parameters refer to the Lead-acid battery parameters (Parameter Set).
8) Test Mode
Press or ，choose the Test Mode，then press and enter into test
mode interface below:
Press or ，when the inverse cursor stays ON/OFF，that is test on or test off
operations.

16
9) Password
10) Batt Mng Mode
SOC parameters
Precent of charging
100% constant value
Precent of discharging
10~80%, Low SOC reconnect is higher Low SOC
disconnect than 5%

17
11) Factory Reset
12) Reboot Device