Morningstar RSC-1 User manual

Communications Adapter
1098 Washington Crossing Road
Washington Crossing, PA 18977 USA
www.morningstarcorp.com
Installation and Operation Manual
EIA-485 / RS-232
Model: RSC-1

Morningstar Corporation
Dimensions
Figure 1. RSC-1 Dimensions.
Technical Specifications
Power Input Voltage 8V - 16V
Self Consumption 8 - 16 mA
Baud Rate 9600 baud
EIA-485 Network Unit Load 1/4
Operating Temperature -40 C to +60 C
Storage Temperature -55 C to + 80 C
Humidity 100% N.C.
Enclosure IP20
Dimensions 72 x 35 x 23 mm
Weight 37 g (1.3 oz)
DIN Rail Compatibility 35 mm (1-3/8”)
Certifications CE, RoHS
Warranty 2 years
Features
Status LED
DIN rail tabs
RS-232 Port
EIA-485 Connector
Figure 2. RSC-1 features.
Removable four (4) position EIA-485 terminal• 9-pin RS-232 connector (male)• Status LED for monitoring and diagnostics• Molded tabs for attachment to 35 mm standard DIN rail• RS-232 ribbon cable (not shown) with low-profile•
connectors
Mounting
The RSC-1 can be mounted on standard 35 mm DIN rail. Four
(4) tabs are molded into the bottom of the case. Slide the RSC-
1 onto an open end of the DIN rail.
Figure 3. Mounting the RSC-1 to DIN rail

Morningstar Corporation
The typical characteristic impedance of select cables are
shown in table 1 below.
Cable Type Characteristic Impedance
RS-485 single twisted pair 120 ohm
Category 5 Ethernet 100 ohm
Table 1. Characteristic impedances.
Step 3 - Serial RS-232 Connections
Connect a Morningstar controller, inverter, or accessory to the
RS-232 port on the RSC-1 using a straight-through serial cable
A low-profile serial ribbon cable is included with the RSC-1.
Use a Null Modem serial crossover cable to connect a PC (or
other DCE serial device) to the RSC-1. A Null Modem cable is
not included.
Step 4 - EIA-485 Bus Power
The EIA-485 network requires external power. The source
voltage must be between 8-16 Vdc. For 12 Volt systems, the
network can be powered directly from the system battery. Use
a DC-DC converter for 24, 36, and 48 Volt systems.
!
Caution: Tapping power off of individual batteries in a
battery bank can cause a voltage imbalance. Damage to the
batteries may result. Always use a DC-DC converter if the
nominal system voltage is greater than 12 volts.
Wiring
Step 1 Daisy-chain EIA-485 Connections
RSC-1 adapters are daisy-chained together as shown in figure
4. Twisted pair communication cable is highly recommended to
maintain data integrity.
R1 R2
+
-
8 - 16 Vdc
Ground
Data A
Data B
Power
To Serial
Device
To Serial
Device
To Serial
Device
Figure 4. EIA-485 bus wiring
Step 2 - Termination Resistors
Termination resistors (R1 & R2) must be placed on both ends
of the data bus as shown in figure 4. If the characteristic im-
pedance of the communication cable is Zo, then:
R1 = R2 = Zo
Check the communication cable specifications for the charac-
teristic impedance.

Morningstar Corporation
Status LED Indications
The Status LED indicates adapter power and network commu-
nication. Table 2 below identifies each of the indication types.
Status LED Indication Note
Off No bus power or
reverse polarity Check EIA-485 bus power & polarity
Green Power OK, no
data on network Wiring OK, Ready for transmit / receive
Green /
Red Flicker Data on network Network OK
Orange Reversed A & B
data lines Check network wiring
Table 2. LED Indications
Inspection and Maintenance
The following inspections and maintenance tasks are recom-
mended at least two times per year for best performance.
Tighten all terminals. Inspect for loose, broken, or9
corroded connections.
Verify that all wire clamps and tie-downs are secure.9
Check that the adapter is mounted in a clean,9
protected environment; free of dirt, insects, nests,
and corrosion.
Verify LED indication is consistent with the present9
system conditions.
Network Rules
Each Morningstar controller, inverter, and accessory on•
the network must be programmed with a unique Modbus
Address. Addresses can be programmed using
Morningstar’s MSView PC software.
Do not wire more than 128 RSC-1 adapters on a single•
EIA-485 network (RSC-1 is 1/4 Unit Load)
Use twisted pair communication cable for the EIA-485•
bus.
Do not run network cables in the same conduit or trough•
as the system power cables or AC wiring. In general,
avoid running network cables in parallel with power cables.
A MeterBus to Serial Converter (model: MSC) can be used•
to communicate with Morningstar products that do not
have a serial port. See MSC documentation for supported
products.
PWR
GND
A
B
Mornin gstar C orpora tion
RS-232 / EIA-485
Adapter
Model:RSC-1
RS-232 (DTE)
EIA-485
RoHS
PWR
GND
A B
Morningstar Corporation
RS-232 / EIA-485
Adapter
Model:RSC-1
RS-232 (DTE)
EIA-485
RoHS
Address
1
Serial Cable Serial Cable
Serial Cable
Serial Cable
Null Modem
12 Volt
-+
Address
2Address 3
METERBUS
RS-232
PC MeterBus A dapter
Isolat ed Met erBus t o
Serial RS -232
CommunicationsAdapter
MorningstarCorporation
Model:MSC
RJ-11 Cable
SunSaver-MPPT
Relay Driver
TriStar RSC-1
RSC-1 RSC-1
MSC
RSC-1
PWR
GND
A
B
Mornin gstar C orpora tion
RS-232 / EIA-485
Adapter
Model:RSC-1
RS-232(DT E)
EIA-485
RoHS
PWR
GND
A
B
Morningstar Corpora tion
RS-232 / EIA-485
Adapter
Model: RSC-1
RS-232(DTE)
EIA-485
RoHS
Figure 5. An example EIA-485 network (termination resistors not shown)

Morningstar Corporation
RoHS
MS-ZMAN-RSC-01
Warranty
The EIA-485/RS-232 Communications Adapter (RSC-1) is warranted to be free from
defects in material and workmanship for a period of TWO (2) years from the date of ship-
ment to the original end user. Morningstar will, at its option, repair or replace any such
defective products.
CLAIM PROCEDURE
Before requesting warranty service, check the Operator’s Manual to be certain that
there is a problem with the RSC-1. Return the defective product to your authorized
Morningstar distributor with shipping charges prepaid. Provide proof of date and place
of purchase.
To obtain service under this warranty, the returned products must include the model,
serial number and detailed reason for the failure. This information is critical to a rapid
disposition of your warranty claim.
Morningstar will pay the return shipping charges if the repairs are covered by the war-
ranty.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS
This warranty does not apply under the following conditions:
Damage by accident, negligence, abuse or improper use.• Voltage or currents exceeding the ratings of the product.• Unauthorized product modification or attempted repair.• Damage occurring during shipment.•
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVEARE EXCLUSIVE AND
IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. MORNINGSTAR SPECIFI-
CALLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITYAND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. No Morningstar distributor, agent or employee is
authorized to make any modification or extension to this warranty.
MORNINGSTAR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUEN-
TIAL DAMAGES OF ANYKIND, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOST
PROFITS, DOWNTIME, GOODWILL OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT OR PROP-
ERTY.
1098 Washington Crossing Road,
Washington Crossing, PA 19877 USA
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.morningstarcorp.com