EPEVER Tracer5206CPN MPPT Solar Charge Controller User Guide

June 13, 2024
EPEVER

EPEVER Tracer5206CPN MPPT Solar Charge Controller

EPEVER Tracer5206CPN MPPT Solar Charge Controller

Thank you!

  • Thank you for selecting the Tracer-CPN MPPT solar charge controller. Please read this manual carefully before using the product and pay attention to the safety information.
  • Do not install this product in humid, salt spray, corrosion, greasy, flammable, explosive, dust accumulative, or other severe environments.

Overview

The Tracer-CPN solar charge controller adopts the advanced Maximum Power Point
Tracking charging technology. Increase the system charging efficiency yet lower the system cost. The controller supports various batteries, such as sealed, gel, flooded, and lithium batteries. Users can view and modify the operational status and parameters. It can be widely used in a solar home system, traffic signal, street light, solar garden lamp, etc.

The features are listed below:

  • Supports a variety of battery types, including lithium batteries
  • Lithium battery self-activating and low-temperature protection function
  • MPPT charging, with maximum DC/DC conversion efficiency of 98%
  • PV power limitation function
  • Auto enter the voltage stabilization mode to protect the load and battery
  • Built-in Bluetooth module (Only Tracer-CPN(BLE) supports)
  • Connect the IoT (Internet of Things) modules and Cloud Server to realize remote monitoring
  • Real-time energy statistics function
  • Standard Modbus protocol, waterproof RS485 port provides a 5VDC power with short-circuit protection
  • Silent and low self-consumption design
  • IP68 protection level
  • Comply with EN/IEC62109 and civilian level EMC (EN61000-6-1/3) standards

Appearance

Appearance

RS485 waterproof port
Temperature Sensor
Charging Status indicator
Battery Status indicator
Load Positive and Negative Wires
Battery Positive and Negative Wires
PV Positive and Negative Wires
Built-in Bluetooth module
  1. The RS485 waterproof port can provide a DC power of 5VDC/200mA, and have the short-circuit protection function. The port is isolation design for Tracer7810CPN/ Tracer7810CPN(BLE), and non-isolation design for other series. The pin definition is shown below:
    Pin| Definition
    ---|---
    1| +5VDC
    2| RS485-A
    3| RS485-B
    4| Power ground

Appearance
SymbolCAUTION: When the RS485 port is not working, the waterproof cap must be installed to prevent water from getting in.

  1. If the temperature sensor is short-circuited or damaged, the controller shall be charging or discharging at the default temperature of 25℃.
  2. Only the Tracer-CPN (BLE) series are designed with the built-in Bluetooth module; please select as you require.

Wiring

  • Connection sequence
  1. Connect components to the controller in the sequence ①Battery > ②load > ③PV as shown above and pay much attention to the “+” and “-.” Please don’t connect the fast-acting fuse or circuit breaker during the installation. When disconnecting the system, the order will be reserved.
  2. The Tracer-CPN/Tracer-CPN (BLE) controllers are common-negative; all the negative terminals can be grounded simultaneously, or anyone can be grounded.
    However, according to the practical application, the negative terminals of the PV array, battery, and load can also be ungrounded. Still, the grounding terminal on the shell must be grounded. It effectively shields electromagnetic interference from the outside and prevents some electric shock to the human body.

Symbol CAUTION

| A common-negative controller for a common-negative system, such as the motorhome, is recommended. The controller may be damaged if a common-positive controller is used and the positive electrode is grounded in the common- negative system.
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3. Connect a fast-acting fuse in series with the battery positive (+). The fast-acting fuse must be 1.25 to 2 times the rated controller current. The installed distance is within 150mm. 4. After powering the controller, the battery LED indicator on the controller shall flash green. If it’s not green, please refer to chapter 10, Troubleshooting.
Wiring

  • Load self-test function
    The load is automatically turned ON after powering on the controller for 10s. After the load keeps ON status for 10s, the controller restores to the set working mode.

LED Indicators

Indicator Color Status Instruction
Green On Solid PV connection normal but low voltage(irradiance) from PV,

no charging
OFF| No PV voltage(night time) or PV connection problem
Slowly Flashing(1Hz)| In charging
Fast Flashing(4Hz)| PV overvoltage
| Green| On Solid| Battery normal
Slowly Flashing(1Hz)| Battery full
Fast Flashing(4Hz)| Battery overvoltage
Orange| On Solid| Battery under voltage
Red| On Solid| Battery over-discharged
Fast Flashing(4Hz)| Battery overheating Lithium battery low temperature
Charging indicator(green) and battery indicator(orange) flashing simultaneously| System voltage error※

  • When connecting with a lithium battery, the controller does not recognize the system voltage automatically

Load Working Mode

  1. Manual Mode (Default ON)

  2. Light ON/OFF
    Load Working Mode
    Turn-On voltage (Adjustable):
    5V (12Vsystem), delay10min.
    Turn-Off voltage (Adjustable):
    6V (12Vsystem), delay10min.
    Note: 24V system voltage×2

  3. ) Light ON+ Timer
    Load Working Mode

  4. Real-time Control
    Control the load ON/OFF time by setting a real-time clock.

Symbol CAUTION

| In the Light ON/OFF and Light ON/Timer modes, the Load is turned on after 10 minutes.
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Accessories (optional) and Software

  1. PC Software
    www.epever.com ——Solar Station Monitor

  2. APP Software
    Please contact your business personnel or after-sales engineer to get the latest APP. For detailed operations to monitor the controller through the APP, please refer to the WiFi module or Bluetooth module user manual.
    Load Working Mode
    Note: Only the Tracer-CPN series support the external Bluetooth module, the Tracer-CPN (BLE) series are designed with a built-in Bluetooth module. The controller is designed with waterproof function, but the WiFi/BLE module is not waterproof. Please take waterproof measures when using the WiFi/BLE module.

Protection

  • PV Over Current
    The controller will limit the battery charging current to the rated charge current.
    Therefore an oversized solar array may not work at peak power.

  • PV Short Circuit
    The controller will stop charging when the PV input is short-circuited or the short-circuit occurs at the low-power charging. Clear faults to resume work.

WARNING

| The controller may be damaged when the PV input is short-circuited on a high-power.
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  • PV Reverse Polarity
    The PV can be reversely connected with a controller when:
    ①Only the PV is connected to the controller. ②The battery is correct connected, and the PV open-circuit voltage is lower than 85V. WARNING| The controller will be damaged when the PV array is reversely connected, and the PV array’s actual power exceeds 1.5 times the rated charge power!
    ---|---
  • Battery Reverse Polarity
    The battery can be reversely connected when the PV is disconnected or reversely connected. Correct the wire connection to resume work.

WARNING

| The controller will be damaged when the PV connection is correct and the battery connection is reversed!
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  • Battery Over Voltage
    When the battery voltage exceeds the Over Voltage Disconnect Voltage, the controller will stop charging the battery to protect the battery from being overcharged.

  • Battery Over Discharge
    When the battery voltage is lower than the Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage, the controller will stop discharging the battery to protect the battery from being over-discharged.

  • Battery Overheating
    The controller detects the environment temperature by the external temperature sensor. If the environment temperature exceeds 65ºC, the controller will stop working and recover below 55ºC.

  • Lithium Battery Low Temperature
    When the battery temperature is lower than the low-temperature protection value, the
    Lithium battery charging/discharging is stopped. It resumes work when the battery temperature exceeds the low-temperature protection value.

Technical Specifications

Item Model| Tracer5206CPN/Tracer5206CPN(BLE)| Tracer7810CPN/Tracer7810CPN(BLE)
---|---|---
Rated system voltage| 12/24VDC Auto( Lithium battery cannot automatically identify system voltage)
Battery work voltage range| 8 ~ 32VDC
Rated charge/discharge current| 20A| 30A
Rated charge power| 260W/12V; 520W/24V| 390W/12V; 780W/24V
Max. PV open circuit voltage| 60V (at minimum operating environment temperature)

46V( at 25℃ environment temperature )

| 100V (at minimum operating environment temperature)

92V( at 25℃ environment temperature )

MPP Voltage range| (Battery voltage +2V) ~ 36V| (Battery voltage +2V) ~ 72V
Battery Type| Lead-acid battery: Sealed(Default) / Gel / Flooded/User; Lithium battery: LiFePO4/ Li-NiCoMn/User
Lead-acid| Equalize Charging Voltage| Sealed: 14.6V, Gel: No, Flooded: 14.8V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Boost Charging Voltage| Sealed: 14.4V, Gel: 14.2V, Flooded: 14.6V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Float Charging Voltage| Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 13.8V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage| Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 12.6V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage| Sealed/Gel/Flooded: 11.1V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Lithium| Boost Charging Voltage| LiFePO4: 14.5V, Li-NiCoMn: 12.5V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Low Voltage Reconnect Voltage| LiFePO4: 12.8V, Li-NiCoMn: 10.5V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Low Voltage Disconnect Voltage| LiFePO4: 11.1V, Li-NiCoMn: 9.3V, User: 9-17V ( × 2/24V)
Self-consumption| ≤10mA(12V); ≤7mA(24V)| ≤15mA(12V); ≤9mA(24V)
Temperature compensation coefficient| -3mV/℃/2V (Lithium batteries don’t have temperature compensation coefficient)
Communication| RS485/BLE
Work temperature| -40℃~+50℃ (Above 45℃, please operate in derating)
Enclosure| IP68
Dimension (L x W x H)| Tracer5206CPN: 147mm × 130mm × 50mm Tracer5206CPN(BLE): 157mm × 130mm × 50mm| Tracer7810CPN: 155mm × 141mm × 51.5mm Tracer7810CPN(BLE): 165mm × 141mm × 51.5mm
Mounting hole size| Φ4.5mm| Φ4.5mm
Mounting size (L x W)| 121mm × 120mm| 132mm × 120mm
Power cable (PV/BAT/LOAD)| PV:11AWG, BAT/LOAD: 10AWG| PV:11AWG, BAT/LOAD: 10AWG
Net weight| 1.30kg| 1.59kg

  • Load Overload
    If the load current exceeds 1.05 times the rated load current, the controller will disconnect the load after a delay time. Overloading must be cleared by reducing the load and restarting the controller.

  • Load Short Circuit
    The load will be switched off when the short circuit (≥4 times rated load current) happens. The controller will automatically attempt to reconnect the load five times. Suppose short circuit protection still exists after the fifth attempt. In that case, the user has to clear the short circuit, restart the controller or wait for one night-day cycle (night time>3 hours).

  • Temperature Sensor Breakdown
    When the temperature sensor is short-circuited or damaged, the controller will charge or discharge at 25°C by default to avoid damage to the battery caused by overcharge or over-discharge.

  • High-voltage Transients
    The controller is protected against small high-voltage transients. In lightning-prone areas, additional external arrester is recommended.

Troubleshooting

Faults Possible reasons Troubleshooting

Charging LED is off during the daytime, and sunshine falls on PV modules properly| PV array disconnection| Confirm that PV and battery wire connections are correct and tight
No LED indicator| Battery voltage may be less than 8.5V| Measure battery voltage with the multi-meter. A minimum of 8.5V can start up the controller
Battery LED flashes green quickly| Battery over voltage| Check if the battery voltage exceeds the OVD, and disconnect the PV
Battery LED is red ON solid| Battery over-discharged| The load will recover when the battery voltage is restored to or above the LVR (low voltage reconnect voltage).
Battery LED flashes red| Battery Overheating| The controller will resume when the battery temperature declines to 50ºC or below.
The load has no output| ①Load Overload| ①Please reduce the number of electric equipment.
②Restart the controller.
③wait for one night-day cycle (night time>3 hours).
①Load Short Circuit| ①Check carefully the loads’ connection and clear the fault.
②Restart the controller.
③wait for one night-day cycle (night time>3 hours).

①When the load is overloaded or short-circuited, the load will automatically restore output five times, respectively, delaying 5S, 10S, 15S, 20S, and 25S.

Disclaimer

This warranty does not apply to the following conditions:

  • Damage from improper use or use in an unsuitable environment.
  • PV or load current, voltage, or power exceeds the rated value of the controller.
  • The actual working temperature exceeds the limited working environment temperature.
  • The user disassembly or attempted to repair the controller without permission.
  •  The controller is damaged due to natural elements such as lighting.
  •  The controller is damaged during transportation and shipment.

Any changes without prior notice! Version number: V1.2

Logo

Documents / Resources

| EPEVER Tracer5206CPN MPPT Solar Charge Controller [pdf] User Guide
Tracer5206CPN, Tracer5206CPN MPPT Solar Charge Controller, MPPT Solar Charge Controller, Solar Charge Controller, Charge Controller
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References

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