Midnite Solar Barcelona Charge Controller

Description

The Barcelona is MidNite Solar’s largest charge controller, capable of taking in up to 600Vdc from solar panels on each of the two MPPT trackers. Each tracker is capable of charging the batteries with 100A continuous, for a possible 200A total going to the battery bank.

This controller can work with many battery chemistries like LiFePO4 and Lead-Acid, and it has an output range of 29V-65Vdc, intended for 48V systems. If the Barcelona Breaker Box is added, the output range becomes 40V-65Vdc.

MidNite’s Barcelona charge controller utilizes MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) technology to identify and adjust the voltage and current levels of solar panels to optimal levels. As sunlight and weather conditions change, the controller will automatically adjust to extract the maximum amount of power from the solar array.

Each MPPT operates between 185V and 585V, though the unit startup voltage is 220V. This means that the unit takes more voltage to start up, but it can continue utilizing solar power even if the conditions change and result in lower output from the solar panels.

An optional add-in board allows for advanced functionality of the charge controller, adding in connections for rapid shutdown, arc fault and ground fault sensors. LED indicators show the status of the connected sensors, such as lighting up when a ground fault is present.

Barcelona’s Control Board has multiple connections for optional features. CANBUS communications connect here, along with the Battery Temperature Sensor. Breaker Trip Circuits allow for connection to remote-trip breakers if the solar panel voltage gets too high.

Remote battery Voltage sense terminals provide voltage measurement at the batteries directly. Without the Battery Voltage Sense, the Barcelona may read a different voltage at the terminals due to resistance in the battery cable leading to undercharged batteries.

There are two Auxiliary circuits that can output 10.5Vdc at 200mA, which is enough to power an external relay on each circuit. There are 21 operation modes to choose from.

The Barcelona communicates with other MidNite Solar products that utilize MidNite CANBUS circuits. The CANBUS communication cable connects through ports on the circuit board above the PV and battery connections to the CANBUS ports of another device such as a Rosie inverter.