J-TECH Solar Auxiliary Power Unit Manual

Solar Auxiliary Power Unit
Remote Meter
Operator’s Guide
(Scan for latest version of this guide.)
Customer Service: [email protected]
[phone]
45 Senn Drive
Chester Springs, PA 19425
P/N SolarAPUOG
Updated August 11, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SOLAR APU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
METERMENU ....................................1
BUTTONS........................................2
ICONDEFINITIONS.................................2
4-Digit Numerical Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
UnitIndicators .............................3
SolarIcon..................................3
LoadIcon..................................3
BatteryIcon................................3
Options / Settings Indicator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ErrorIndicator..............................3
Self-Diagnostics Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
OPERATION.......................................... 4
METER OPTIONS MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Temperature Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BacklightTimer.............................4
Auto-Return to Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS (SELF-TEST) MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CLEAR COUNTERS MIN/MAX VALUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CLEANING THE METER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cleaning the LCD Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Cleaning the Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
TROUBLESHOOTINGGUIDE ............................ 7
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SOLAR APU
Figure 1 – Meter Menu Example
METER MENU
System information for your J-Tech Solar Auxiliary Power Unit
(Solar APU) is arranged in rows as shown in the example meter
menu in Figure 1 below. Each row contains information related to
a specific input or output (Solar, Battery, Load, etc.). Use the “L”
and “R” arrow buttons to view each screen in a row of
information. After navigating to the last screen in a row, another
advance in the same direction returns the user to the first screen
of the row.
Each row of information is stacked vertically. Moving down to the
next row requires one press of the “C” button. Pressing the “C”
button on the last row returns the user to the top row.
Each row of information has a designated Main Screen. When
advancing down to the next row of information, the Main Screen
for the row will be the first screen displayed. This feature can be
disabled in the Meter Options Menu.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SOLAR APU
Figure 2 – Meter Buttons
Figure 3 – Digital Display
BUTTONS
The Solar APU meter has three (3) buttons for meter menu
navigation as shown in Figure 2. Each press of the center “C”
button advances down to the next row of information. Another
push of the “C” button on the last row returns to the top row.
Use the ““L” and “R” arrow buttons to navigate to each display
screen in a row of information.
ICON DEFINITIONS
4-Digit Numerical Display – Displays numerical information such
as voltage, current, and temperature values.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SOLAR APU
Units Indicators – Displays the units of the numerical
information. Units may be used in combination if necessary ( e.g.,
V, max = maximum voltage).
Solar Icon – Indicates that displayed information relates to the
solar input.
Load Icon – Indicates that displayed information relates to the
load output.
Battery Icon – Indicates that displayed information relates to the
battery.
NOTE: If a controller has two solar, battery, or load connections,
the “2” icon along with the appropriate icon indicates the second
of the two connections.
Options / Settings Indicator – The wrench options icon is
displayed when the Meter Options Menu is in use. See
OPERATION section for more information.
Error Indicator – The error icon flashes when a controller error
exists.
Self-Diagnostics Indicator – Indicates that self diagnostics is in
progress. See OPERATION section for more information.
3

OPERATION
Figure 4 – Meter Options Menu
METER OPTIONS MENU
The Meter Options Menu is used to adjust temperature units,
backlight timing, and the meter menu navigation. To access the
Meter Options Menu, hold down all three (3) meter buttons for
approximately five (5) seconds until “OPnS” and the wrench icon
are displayed.
Use the “C” button to scroll through the parameters of the menu.
Use the “L” and “R” arrow buttons to adjust the value of each
parameter. An additional press of the “C” button after the last
parameter automatically exits the Meter Options Menu.
Temperature Units — Display temperatures in degrees C or F
degrees
Backlight Timer — During normal operation, a press of any meter
4
OPERATION
button turns on the backlight. The backlight timer specifies how
long the backlight shall remain on after the last button press.
Off — Backlight always off.
On — Backlight always on.
05 — Backlight on for 5 seconds after last button
push.
30 — Backlight on for 30 seconds after last button
push.
Auto-Return to Main Screens — If auto-return is active, each
press of the “C” button advances to the next row of information,
starting with the main screen for that row of information. If auto-
return is turned off, each press of the “C” button advances to the
next row and displays the last viewed screen for that row of
information.
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS (SELF-TEST) MENU
Diagnostic information can be displayed using the Solar APU
Meter. To access the Self Diagnostics Menu, hold down the “C”
button for 5 seconds. All LED segments and icons will illuminate
on the LCD display. Release the “C” button to begin.
Diagnostic information will be displayed in sequential order. Each
press of the “C” button will advance to the next diagnostic screen.
CLEAR COUNTERS MIN/MAX VALUES
Amp-hours and maximum/minimum values of current or voltage
can be reset to zero. To reset these values, hold down buttons
“L” and “R” for two (2) seconds. All values are reset to zero
5

OPERATION
simultaneously and can be reset at any time, from any screen in
the menu.
CLEANING THE METER
Cleaning the LCD Window – Disconnect the meter cable and
remove the three Phillips screws that secure the meter back
cable. Remove the back cover and circuit board from the
faceplate. Clean the label window with a damp cloth and
reassemble. Do not use harsh solvents.
Cleaning the Meter Buttons – Disconnect the meter cable and
remove the 3 Phillips screws that secure the back cover. Remove
the back cover and circuit board from the faceplate. Inspect the
button contacts, clean dirt and debris with a clean cloth. Clean
the gold button contacts on the PCB board with alcohol and a
cotton swab. Allow the alcohol to dry and reassemble.
6
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSE CORRECTION
There is no
display.
1. The meter is
not powered.
2. The cable
connection is
no longer
connected.
3. The cable is
broken.
1. Verify that
the controller
or inverter
connected to
the Solar APU
is powered
and working
correctly.
2. Disconnect
and
reconnect the
meter cable
connection.
Press firmly
until there is a
“click.”
3. Inspect cable
for frays or
pinches.
7

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
The LCD display is
dim.
1. System battery
voltage is low.
2. Temperature is
extremely low.
1. Check the
system battery
voltage. Low
battery voltage
will cause the
display to dim.
The minimum
operating
voltage of the
meter is 8
volts.
2. In extremely
cold
temperatures
the LCD may
appear dim or
it may react
very slowly.
The meter is
powered, but it
does not display
any data.
The meter cable is
damaged.
Repair or replace
the cable with a 4-
or 6-conductor
telephone cable
with meter
connectors.
8
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Dust or debris has
collected in the
LCD window.
Meter has collected
dust or debris.
Follow the
instructions for
cleaning the meter
LCD found in
OPERATION.
Buttons do not
work or work
intermittently.
Buttons have
collected dust or
debris.
Follow instructions
for cleaning the
meter buttons
found in
OPERATION.
9