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Dual axis solar tracking controller V3.3 with sun sensor $295. Specifications Shipping International (uninsured) $52 Shipping Canada (uninsured) $45 Shipping USPS USA $22 Specify sun sensor cable length (feet) $5 custom cable charge + 1$ per foot over 10 ft. Quantity

Precision dual axis solar tracking sun sensor $175. Shipping International (uninsured) $52 Shipping Canada (uninsured) $45 Shipping USPS USA $22 Specify sun sensor cable length (feet) $5 custom cable charge + 1$ per foot over 10 ft. Quantity

Legacy Product Manuals & Support Schematics V1.0SM Controller V2.0TH Controller V3.0 and V3.1 controllers Remote Control Schematics for V1 and V2 controllers

Heliotrack Dual Axis Tracking Controller V3.3

Downloadable PDF (Current V3.3 controllers)

Features:
• 9-36 VDC power supply
• Two Solid-State H-bridge drivers up to 8 amps
• Variable Track-to-Track time delay extends actuator life
• Dead Reckoning Timer advances tracker to follow sun when cloudy
• Programmable load sequencing to reduce power supply amperage requirements
• Programmable duty cycle
• Programmable duty frequency
• Dark return direction selectable for each axis
• Park1 direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Park2 direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Drive-Off-Sun (DOS) direction selectable for each axis (Includes release timer)
• Programmable Drive-Off-Sun (DOS) timer
• On-Board control buttons for manual control of tracker and programming of controller
• Remote control plug for manual control of tracker and programming of controller
• Screw terminals for easy connection to power supply and motors
• Fuse protected
• Short circuit protection on each axis
• External interface points for expanding capabilities of the controller
• Output drivers can be bridged for higher current single axis operation
• RJ12 sockets for convenient Sun Sensor and Remote Control connection
• Additional mounting place for RJ12 socket for twin single-axis setups
• On-board LED indicators for Motor Direction, Duty Cycle, and Duty Frequency
• Power Supply reverse connection protection

Applications:
Single-Axis, Twin Single-Axis, and Dual-Axis solar tracking
Pump control
Thermostat control
Servo control
Applications requiring switching outputs based on voltage comparisons

Specifications:

Controller circuit description:
The dual axis solar tracking controller features three inputs and two solid state H-bridge driver outputs. Inputs 1 & 2 are voltage comparators for bi-directional control of direct current loads, input 3 is a window comparator whose output is linked to the Tracking Threshold control and Dark Return control.

Although this controller was designed primarily for dual axis solar tracking it can also be used for control of other loads requiring DC current up to 4 amps. Possible applications include, but are not limited to, circulation pumps, relays, solenoids, fans, motion control, and system monitoring.

• Power: 9-48 VDC (volts direct current)
• Ground: Negative terminal of power supply
• Motor wire 1A (W) WEST: Usually wired to the East-West actuator - Positive when moving West (Reversed in Southern Hemisphere)
• Motor wire 1B (E) EAST: Usually wired to the East-West actuator - Positive when moving East (Reversed in Southern Hemisphere)
• Motor wire 2A (U) UP: Usually wired to the Up-Down actuator - Positive when moving Up
• Motor wire 2B (D) DOWN: Usually wired to the Up-Down actuator - Positive when moving Down
• Fuse: 8 amp slow-blow fuse
• Tracking Threshold: Turn clockwise to decrease Sun Sensor sensitivity and increase the amount of sunlight required to activate tracking. Turn counterclockwise to increase Sun Sensor sensitivity and activate tracking with less sunlight.
• Dark Return Threshold: Turn clockwise if ambient light is keeping the tracker from returning at night. Turn counterclockwise if the tracker is returning in heavy cloud conditions when it is not yet night.
• Sun Sensor: There are one or two "Sun Sensor” sockets that are interchangeable. This is where you plug in the Sun Sensor.
-- Pin 1 : Sun Sensor Detect
-- Pin 2 : Ground
-- Pin 3: 5.0 VDC
-- Pin 4: Mass Light Tracking Threshold and Dark Return Input
-- Pin 5: East-West Tracking Input
-- Pin 6: Up-Down Tracking Input
•  Remote: There is one Remote plug for connecting an external Remote Control. Connecting remote control pins will move the tracker as follows assuming the tracker is located in the Northern Hemisphere facing South
-- 1 & 2 West (W) Positive / (E) Negative (Opposite for southern hemisphere)
-- 1 & 3 East (W) Negative / (E) Positive (Opposite for southern hemisphere) 
-- 1 & 4 Up (U) Positive / (D) Negative
-- 1 & 5 Down (U) Negative / (D) Positive

*** Never apply power directly to the motor terminals , this will destroy the driver transistors and incur a $75 fix it fee. YOU MUST disconnect the motor wires from the tracking controller if you want to test your motors by connecting them directly to the power supply. If you do damage the boards from mishandling then remove the controller board from the plastic enclosure and send it back to us in a padded mailer. We will fix the board within one week and ship it back to you USPS Priority.

LED indicators:
WEST (Red) This LED turns on when motor wire 1A (W) is positive
EAST (Red) This LED turns on when morot wire 1B (E) is positive
UP (Red) This LED turns on when motor wire 2A (U) is positive
DOWN (Red) This LED turns on when motor wire 2B (D) is positive
PAR (Green) PARAMETER indicator (Also power, data read, active motor and Park mode indicator)
VAL (Yellow) VALUE of selected parameter indicator (Also data write, active motor, and Park mode indicator)

Installation instructions:
1) Mount the tracking controller box in an accessible location. Be sure to mount the box with the wire holes leading down, this will prevent water from running into the box.

2) Connect the motor wires from your actuators to the motor terminals on the circuit board.
•Motor terminals W and E should control the WEST-EAST or AZIMUTH actuator.
•Motor terminals U and D should control the UP-DOWN or ALTITUDE actuator.
•In the Northern Hemisphere Motor wire W will be positive when the tracker needs to move West.
•Motor wire U will be positive when the tracker needs to tilt UP. Reverse the polarity of the motor wires if an actuator is moving in the wrong.
•In the southern hemisphere the polarity of the EAST-WEST motor wires should be reversed.

3) The sun sensor should be mounted to the tracking plane (solar panels or concentrator) with the cable leading in the Tilt-Down direction, or South when the tracker is at the Noon position in the Northern Hemisphere.  The sensor comes with floating spring mounts for convenient calibration. Remove the wing nuts and one washer from each mounting bolt (this leaves one washer and the spring on each bolt).  Pass the three bolts through pre-drilled holes on your sensor bracket, then replace the washer and then the wing nut on each bolt.  This provides a spring-loaded tripod mount for your sensor. Fine-tune the alignment of the sensor by turning the wing nuts in the appropriate direction.

4) WITHOUT THE POWER ON... connect your 9 - 48 VDC power supply wires to the power terminals on the tracking circuit. Be sure to verify polarity, especially when bypassing the reverse protection diode for high-amperage operation.  Verify connections and turn on the power. The GREEN LED should flash quickly 15 times while the controller loads the user saved parameters from memory.

5) If an actuator is tracking in the wrong direction, disconnect the power, reverse the polarity of the motor wires for that actuator, and reconnect the power.

6) Replace the cover on the control box when you are satisfied that everything is working properly. Make sure that the stress grommet on the sun sensor cable is seated in the notch on the controller box. For permanent outdoor installations it is a good idea to put a bead of caulking around the lid of the box before replacing it to prevent moisture from getting in.

Load Sequencing (Duty Cycle):
Load sequencing alternates power to the motors, this reduces the maximum current draw of the controller to the current draw of the highest amperage motor.

Load sequencing can also reduce the on-time of each actuator to prevent overheating of the driver transistors when using actuators drawing greater than 8 amps. Using Load Sequencing in this way also requires replacing the stock filament fuses with polyfuses that can permit greater amperage spikes without tripping.

Tracking Delay:
The Tracking Delay setting controls the time the controller waits between tracking corrections. Concentrator applications usually require higher accuracy and need to make tracking corrections more frequently so a Time Delay of less than 30 seconds is recommended.  PV tracking applications do not require such precise accuracy so we recommend a Time Delay of more than 30 seconds. Time delay can also be used to mitigate "back tracking" or “back-lashing” caused by the tracker traveling past the sun and then tracking in the opposite direction during the next tracking correction. Greater Tracking Delays mean the motors turn on and off fewer times per day generally increasing actuator life.

Short Circuit Protection:
Both axis feature short circuit protection. If the motor wires on either axis are shorted while powered then the shorted axis will be disabled until power is removed from the controller for at least 10 seconds. When the power is turned back on then the axis that was shorted should resume working. The fuse will not typically blow when short circuit protection is triggered.

Relay Controller Option:
If your actuators draw more than 8 amps then relays can be used to supply power to the actuators. See our schematics page for details.

Limit Switches:
Limit Switches are required for each direction for every actuator when using Heliotrack solar tracking products!  Many actuators on the market include internal limit switches but the user must verify this before connecting actuator motors to the tracking controller. It is also necessary to verify that the limit switches are set to stop the motors before any damage is done to tracking mechanism due to over-traveling. If you need to add limit switches to your actuators then see our schematics page for details. The External interface points O1A, O1B, O2A, O2B can be used for logic level limit switching. Limit switches using these test points do not have to carry high amperage as they work at logic levels. See the External Interface portion of this manual for details.

Disclaimer:
Heliotrack,LLC assumes no liability or responsibility for damages caused by the use or misuse of our products.

Startup Button Functions
Available while the controller is starting up by pressing indicated buttons while connecting power to the controller.

Pressing WEST button & EAST button while powering up the controller restores the factory presets.

Pressing UP button & DOWN button while powering up the controller enables hidden Parameters 11 (Time Delay Override) and 12 (Bridge Mode) in the programming mode.

Operation Button Functions
Available after startup is complete.

Remote Control
Pressing WEST button will turn on motor wire 1A (W)

Pressing EAST button will turn on motor wire 1B (E)

Pressing UP button will turn on motor wire 2A (U)

Pressing DOWN button will turn on motor wire 2B (D)

Pressing WEST and EAST buttons simultaneously will toggle between Tracking Enable and Tracking Disable. Entering or exiting this mode is indicated by three short blinks. When tracking is disabled the green and yellow lights will continue to blink three short blinks.

Pressing Button 3&4 simultaneously enters the programming mode.

Programming Mode (V3.3 controller with V3.1 firmware)
1) Entering programming mode:
Pressing UP and DOWN buttons simultaneously for a second will enter the programming mode For Bank 1.
Pressing EAST and UP buttons simultaneously for a second will enter the programming mode For Bank 2.

VAL LED (Green) 1 indicates which parameter is selected.
PAR LED (Yellow) 2 indicates the current value of the parameter.

WEST button:
Advance to the next parameter.
If the Parameter is last on in that bank then it will wrap back around to 1 blink Parameter 1)

EAST button:
Display current parameter and increase the value of the current parameter by one.
When the value is at maximum it will wrap back around to 1 blink.

UP button:
Display the current parameter without changing value.

Down button:
Exit programming mode and write any changes to memory.
The controller only accepts input from the buttons after the parameter and value have been completely displayed.

Programmable Parameters Bank 1

*SPECIAL ACCESS PARAMETERS: Press Button 3&4 during startup to enable access to these parameters in Programming Mode.

Tracking Delay Override: Disabling the Tracking Delay may cause damage to the motor driver transistors. Overriding the Tracking Delay enables high frequency output and should not to be used with the stock H-Bridge driver in this controller.

Bridge Mode: Proper bridge wiring must be observed when Bridge Mode is enabled or the fuses will blow and the driver transistors may be damaged.

Bank 1 Parameter 1: Tracking Delay Count
Green LED: 1 Blink
Yellow LED 2: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 4

* Tracking Delay Times in this table are only valid when the Tracking Delay Multiplier (Bank 2 Parameter 10) value is set to the factory default of 4.

The Tracking Delay Count sets the amount of time the controller waits between tracking corrections.
The sun traverses the sky at a rate of 1 degree every four minutes; so a Tracking Delay Time of four minutes would limit the tracking accuracy to 1 degree. The default Tracking Delay Time of 31 seconds represents an accuracy of about 1/8 degree. Change the Tracking Delay Multiplier (Parameter 11) to achieve Tracking Delays that are greater or less than the Tracking Delays available in this table.

Bank 1 Parameter 2: Dark Return Direction
Green LED: 2 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 9 Blinks
Default Value = 1

NOTE: East and West directions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere when the Tracker is facing North.

The Dark Return Direction is the direction the tracker will move when the Mass Light output voltage of the Sun Sensor (Test Point ML) is less than the voltage set by the Dark Return Threshold potentiometer (Test Point DRT). The Dark Return output will be on the entire night so limit switches are required on the actuators to stop the tracker in the sunrise position (East Limit).

The most common value for the Dark Return Direction parameter in the Northern Hemisphere is 2; in the Southern Hemisphere it is 3.

Bank 1 Parameter 3: Park 1 Direction
Green LED: 3 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 9 Blinks
Default Value = 1

NOTE: East and West directions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere (Tracker facing North).

The tracker will turn on the motor(s) in the Park 1 direction whenever the Park 1 pin (PK1) is connected to ground. This function can be used to park the tracker during adverse weather conditions like high wind or hail. The motor wires will be the entire time the Park 1 pin is connected to ground requiring limit switches to keep the actuators from over-traveling.

Park 1 has priority over Park 2, Drive Off Sun, and Dark Return.

Bank 1 Parameter 4: Park 2 Direction
Green LED: 4 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 9 Blinks
Default Value = 1

NOTE: East and West directions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere (Tracker facing North)

The tracker will turn on the motor(s) in the Park 2 direction whenever the Park 2 pin (PK2) is connected to ground. This function can be used to park the tracker during adverse weather conditions like high wind or hail. The motor wires will be the entire time the Park 2 pin is connected to ground requiring limit switches to keep the actuators from over-traveling.

Park 2 has priority over Drive Off Sun, and Dark Return.

Bank 1 Parameter 5: Drive Off Sun Direction
Green LED: 5 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 9 Blinks
Default Value = 1

NOTE: East and West directions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere (Tracker facing North)

When the Drive Off Sun pin (DOS) is connected to ground the tracker will move in the Drive Off Sun Direction for the time specified by the Drive Off Sun Count and then stop. When the DOS pin is released from ground the DOS counter will reset.

This function is designed to move the tracker off sun when the solar collector is overheating. This is important in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) applications where the collector may be damaged if recirculation of the working fluid is interrupted, or when overheating can cause the working fluid to boil causing critical buildup of system pressure.

Bank 1 Parameter 6: Drive Off Sun Count
Green LED: 6 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 4

Drive Off Sun Count is the amount of time that the tracker will move in the Drive Off Sun Direction when the DOS pin is connected to ground.  The Drive Off Sun Count is reset whenever the DOS pin is released from ground.

Bank 1 Parameter 7: Park 1 Latch Timer
Green LED: 7 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Park Latch Timers are used to delay the resumption of tracking operations after the respective park pin has been released. For example, if Park 1 is being triggered by a high wind alarm then the Park 1 Latch Timer will allow the user to set how long the wind needs to be below a certain speed before tracking will resume. The Park 1 Latch Timer will be cleared if either Park 2 or DOS are activated.

Bank 1 Parameter 8: Park 2 Latch Timer
Green LED: 8 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Park Latch Timers are used to delay the resumption of tracking operations after the respective park pin has been released. For example, if Park 2 is being triggered by a hail alarm then the Park 2 Latch Timer will allow the user to set how long the hail storm needs to have passed before tracking will resume. The Park 2 Latch Timer will be cleared if either Park 1 or DOS are activated.

Bank 1 Parameter 9: DOS Latch Timer
Green LED: 6 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 4

Park Latch Timers are used to delay the resumption of tracking operations after the respective park pin has been released. For example, if DOS is being triggered by a collector overheat alarm then the DOS Latch Timer will allow the user to set how long the overheat condition needs to be corrected before tracking will resume. The DOS Latch Timer will be cleared if either Park 1 or Park 2 are activated.

Bank 1 Parameter 10: Tracking Delay Multiplier
Green LED: 10 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 9 Blinks
Default Value = 4

Tracking Delay Multiplier is used to extend or reduce the factory default Tracking Delay Times. The minimum Tracking Delay Time is approximately .25 seconds when using a multiplier of 1. This setting is used for extremely precise tracking.

The maximum Tracking Delay Time is about 20 minutes when using a multiplier of 9. This setting is good for PV tracking where having fewer tracking movements per day may be preferable to high accuracy.

See the Tracking Delay Time Table to determine possible Tracking Delay Time possibilities.

Bank 1 Parameter 11: Tracking Delay Override (*Hidden Parameter)
Green LED: 11 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Tracking Delay Override disables the Tracking Delay Timer causing the controller motor outputs to react instantaneously to signals from the sun sensor. This parameter should be never be enabled when using the stock controller driver transistors because the high speed switching frequencies can damage the transistors.

This parameter enables high speed control of an external driver circuit and requires that the controller PCB be modified as a logic controller; this is done by removing the four N-MOSFET driver transistors or all of the driver transistors depending on the application.

Please contact us for more information if you plan on enabling this parameter or the warranty may be void.

Bank 1 Parameter 12: Motor Bridging Mode (*Hidden Parameter)
Green LED: 12 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Motor Bridging Mode is used to bridge the motor output terminals for higher amperage single-axis operation. Pulsed currents of up to 8 amps are possible in Motor Bridging Mode. Continuous currents of up to 8 amps are possible if the reverse connection protection diode is bypassed. The controller may be severely damaged if the power supply is connected in reverse while the reverse connection protection diode is bypassed.

Motor Wire 1a and Motor Wire 2a should be connected together and Motor Wire 1b and Motor Wire 2b should be connected together Motor Bridging Mode is enabled. The fuses will blow or the controller may be severely damaged If the motor terminals are wired for Motor Bridging Mode and the Motor Bridging Mode parameter is not enabled; for this reason the Motor Bridging Mode is hidden. Please contact us if you have any doubts about the correct implementation of this parameter.

Tracking Delay Time Table

Tracking Delay table results are in seconds.

The default value of the Tracking Delay and Tracking Delay Multiplier parameter is 4 making the tracking delay time 31 seconds. The minimum Tracking Delay Time possible is about .25 seconds, the maximum Tracking Delay Time is about 20 minutes.

Programmable Parameters Bank 2

Bank 2 Parameter 1: Dead Reckoning
Green LED: 1 Blink
Yellow LED: 1 – 4 Blinks
Default Value = 1

The Dead Reckoning feature times how long the motors run while tracking. When it is cloudy the tracker will run the motors at the same frequency to approximate the path of the sun. This keeps the tracker aligned approximately with the sun when it is cloudy.

Dead Reckoning will not work with trackers that backtrack due to backlash in the mechanics. After power is connected to the controller the Dead Reckoning timer requires three subsequent corrections in the same direction before it will begin working.

Bank 2 Parameter 2: Dead Reckoning Lock
Green LED: 2 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 1

When the Dead Reckoning Timer has values that are satisfactory then these values can be locked into memory by enabling the Dead Reckoning Lock. The values will be saved even when power is disconnected and wil be restored at next startup.

When the Dead Reckoning Lock is disabled then the Dead Reckoning times are reset to Zero and will be constantly updated during tracking.

Bank 2 Parameter 3: Load Sequencing
Green LED: 3 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 2

Load Sequencing is used to alternate power to the actuators, this limits the maximum current that the controller draws at any time to the current drawn by the largest actuator. The controller’s reverse connection protection diode is limited to 5 amps, so it is necessary to enable Load Sequencing if the current draw of both actuators running simultaneously is greater than 5 amps.

The Load Sequencing cycle follows this order…
1) Load Sequencing 1 Count (Motor 1 – East/West)
2) Load Sequencing 2 Count (Motor 2 – Up/Down)
3) Load Sequencing Rest Count (Motors disabled)

If the Remote Respects Load Sequencing parameter is disabled then the load sequencing order will automatically advance when the position of the operating actuator is On-Sun.

If the Remote Respects Load Sequencing parameter is enabled then the load sequencing order will not automatically advance when the position of the operating actuator is On-Sun.

Bank 2 Parameter 4: Load Sequencing 1 Count
Green LED: 4 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 3

Load Sequencing 1 Count is the maximum time that Motor 1 (East/West) will be on during each Load Sequencing cycle.

Bank 2 Parameter 5: Load Sequencing 2 Count
Green LED: 2 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 3

Load Sequencing 2 Count is the time that Motor 2 (Up/Down) will be enabled during each Load Sequencing cycle.

Bank 2 Parameter 6: Load Sequencing Rest Count
GREEN LED: 6 Blinks
YELLOW LED: 1 – 8 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Load Sequencing Rest Count is the amount of time that both motors will be disabled during each Load Sequencing cycle. Load Sequencing Rest Count is enabled if the Load Sequencing Mode (Parameter 8, Bank 2) is set to a value of 2 or 3.

Bank 2 Parameter 7: Load Sequencing Speedup
Green LED: 7 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Load Sequencing Speedup divides the Load Sequencing Timer. This can be used to supply shorter pulses to the motors.
Use high speed sequencing with caution as faster switching of the driver transistors can cause them to heat up. Longer Load Sequencing Rest Counts are recommended when enabling this parameter.

The warranty does not cover transistors that are damaged resulting from load sequencing speedup. It is a good idea to monitor the temperature of the driver transistors to make sure they are not heating up when using the Load Sequencing Speedup parameter value is greater than 3.

Bank 2 Parameter 8: Load Sequencing Mode
Green LED: 8 Blinks
Yellow LED: 1 – 2 Blinks
Default Value = 1

Load sequencing can be used to slow down motors that move too fast for accurate tracking or to limit continuous current draw for motors that draw more than 8 amps. The load Sequencing Rest Count will be enabled when Load Sequencing Mode is set to a value of 2 or 3.

User Interface Pin Descriptions:

***Caution must be used to insure that no static discharge is introduced any of the interface pins or the controller may be damaged and require factory repair.

CALIBRATION TEST POINTS:
Set multimeter on volts. Negative lead goes to ground. Positive lead goes to test point.

DRT - Dark Return Threshold: Sets Dark Return activation voltage threshold.
Default = .7 volts
Increase voltage to set the threshold lighter.
Increase voltage by turning adjustment screw clockwise.

TT    - Tracking Threshold: Sets Tracking Threshold activation voltage threshold.
Default =2.6 volts
Increase voltage to increase sun intensity needed to track.
Increase voltage by turning adjustment screw clockwise.

PARK & DRIVE OFF SUN ACTIVATE:
DOS  -    Drive Off Sun: Pull pin to Ground to activate DOS function.
+5V   -     +5 Volts DC (100ma)
GND  -     Ground
PK1   -     Park 1 Activate: Connect to Ground to activate Park 1 Function.
PK2   -     Park 2 Activate: Connect to Ground to activate Park 2 Function.

EXTERNAL INTERFACE:
GND -   Ground
+5V  -   +5 Volts DC (50ma)
DOS -   Drive Off Sun: Pull pin to Ground to activate DOS function.
DRA -   Dark Return Activated (Goes from 5V to ground when Dark Returning)
TTA  -   Tracking Threshold Activated (Goes from 5V to ground when Tracking)
O1A  -  Override 1A (WEST) Logic Input / Output
O1B -   Override 1B (EAST) Logic Input / Output
O2A  -  Override 2A (UP) Logic Input / Output
O2B  -  Override 2B (DOWN) Logic Input / Output

O1A, O1B, O2A, O2B: These interface points can be used to indicate motor direction and they can be used to override the controller program and force motors on or off. Connect 5 volts to an override point to turn a motor on in the respective direction. Connect an override point to GROUND to turn a motor off in the respective direction. These test points can be used to provide limit switching at logic level so that the limit switches need not carry the high amperage of the motors. Logic level limit switches only need to be able to carry 10 milliamps.

Note: External interface pins can be used in conjunction with another microcontroller that uses the actuator “reed switch pulse encoders” for memory positioning functions.

REMOTE SOCKET:
PIN 1) GND: Ground
PIN 2) WEST: Move West: Connect to ground to move tracker West
PIN 3) EAST: Move East: Connect to ground to move tracker East
PIN 4) UP: Move Up: Connect to ground to move tracker Up
PIN 5) DOWN: Move Down: Connect to ground to move tracker Down
PIN 6) AUX:  Spare conductor available at AUX test point on PCB for user augmentations.

Additional LED Signals:
•  When power is first connected to the controller the Green LED will blink three times to indicate that this is V3 firmware.

•  While the controller is starting up the Green LED will flash very quickly 22 times as the user parameters are recalled from memory.

• The Green and Yellow LED will alternate quickly if the sun sensor is not plugged in.

• When Load Sequencing is enabled the Green LED indicates that the sequence is in the Motor 1 Cycle. The Yellow LED indicates that the sequence is in the Motor 2 Cycle. They will both be off during the Rest Cycle.

• When Load Sequencing is disabled the Green LED will flash periodically to indicate that the controller is on.

• When Park 1 is enabled the Green LED will blink quickly continuously.

• When Park 2 is enabled the Yellow LED will blink quickly continuously.

• When DOS is enabled the Green & Yellow LED will blink twice quickly then repeat.

• When Tracking has been disabled by Remote Control the Green and Yellow LED will flash 3 times followed by a short pause and then repeat.

HINTS:
Disabling tracking to facilitate control of actuators with an external circuit:
1 - Program Park1 to have no direction.  Parameter 3(Green LED = 3 blinks) Value = 1 (Yellow LED = 1 blink). 

2 - Connect Park1 pin is to ground to disable Dark Return, Park2 and DOS and Tracking functions.

3 - Now use the Remote Control inputs to control tracker motion.

Troubleshooting tips:

• Symptom : The parameter LED flashes quickly 15 times, then holds for a moment, then repeats but controller never properly powers up.
• Cause : One or both motor terminals may be shorted. When the motor terminals are energized the power supply will fold at which point the controller will power down and shut off current to the motor terminals, the power will come back up and the controller will begin the initialization sequence again only to repeat the process.

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