Solar+Battery systems
What is a Motor Controller?
A motor controller is a device that manages the performance of an electric motor by governing the input power, providing current, voltage and temperature management protection and enabling specific, even precise operation of the motor, such as speed and torque control.
What is a Solar+Battery Motor Controller?
The SMS Solar Motor Controller series combines several components – an MPPT controller, voltage booster, charge controller and 3-phase inverter in a single compact, lightweight and durable package. The SMC series are purpose designed to maximize the energy from solar DC power, convert that energy into clean digital AC power to run high-efficiency 3-phase (AC) motors and provide advanced controls generally found only in larger motor sizes.
The Solar+Battery series serves off grid applications to power 3-phase devices that can benefit from the cost-savings of solar power, but also need the predictable operation of a secondary power source – even when the sun is not shining.
What types of devices can a Solar+Battery Controller run?
The Solar+Battery Series runs 3-phase devices, such as; motors, pumps, compressors and condensers. The series runs motor sizes of: 3HP, 5HP, 7.5HP and 10HP. It can also run SMS specialty 3-phase solar motors and pumps.
What is required to run a motor on Solar+Battery power?
Solar Panels + Solar Motor Controller (w built-in Charge Controller) + Batteries + 3-Phase Device. The Solar+Battery controller series connects to conventional solar panels using standard connections (in series or series/parallel). Standard 3-phase electrical wiring is used to connect to practically any off-the-shelf 3-phase AC motor.
Most applications are best served using standard deep-cycle lead acid batteries. Battery powered runtimes can be increased by adding panels (in parallel) and increasing the number of batteries.
Always use a Certified Electrician for electrical work! Follow US National Electric Codes (NEC2011) for installation guidelines and restrictions to conform to local electrical codes. For a certified professional it’s an easy setup.
What makes an SMS controller better?
- More power from fewer solar panels
- Clean, digital AC power – motors run better and last longer
- Smaller footprint and fewer components – less cost
- Built-in dynamic Charge Controller
- Programmable – with remote controls and monitoring
- Plug n' play set up – Anywhere
Clean, digital AC power – motors run better and last longer.
SMS controllers utilize Digital Signal Processing (DSP), which practically eliminates electrical and electromagnetic noise and dramatically improves motor performance. This high quality digital power eliminates many of the conditions of heat and stress that cause motors to fail. Motors run better and last longer.
Plug n' play set up – Anywhere.
Solar+Battery Series controllers provide commercial/industrial-grade performance in off-grid applications. SMS controllers are compact, lighter, more reliable and run longer with less maintenance that single-phase or DC systems. The system connects to:
- Any standard PV solar panels (100w to 310w) and standard connections.
- Any standard 3-Phase AC motor – 3HP, 5HP, 7.5HP, 10HP.
- Any Standard 1" plumbing connections.
As with all solar and 3-phase electrical systems a certified electrician is required, but for a qualified installer the system is easy to setup.
More power from fewer solar panels.
Proprietary High Frequency Interleaved Booster technology accommodates the variable nature of solar power using circuit-level MPPT technology that runs even on cloudy days/partial shadowing. In low light conditions, when other systems fail to start or simply shut down – an SMC controlled motor keeps running. The controller dynamically monitors and automatically adjusts for maximum performance.
As input power fluctuates (dawn, dusk, shadowing), the SMS controller recalculates for the compensated run sequence, automatically adjusting the motor at a revised speed and torque based on the available light. This reduces start/stop cycles, which increase the output in a 24hr cycle and reduces stress on the motor. When sunlight falls below the critical minimum (nighttime) the motor shuts down and automatically restarts when the minimum required light resumes.
Smaller footprint and fewer components – less cost.
Advanced and proprietary SMS technology allows you to use more power from the sun with fewer panels. Power more durable and longer lasting high-efficiency 3-phase motors without the need for additional inverters or controllers – it's all in one weather resistant case.
Fewer components to buy – it's all in one compact unit.
Solar Only Series controllers combine an MPPT Controller, 3-phase inverter, 3-phase motor controller and charge controller ALL in one compact unit. Our proprietary design employs software controls and advanced circuitry to produce a long lasting solution for commercial/industrial applications in a compact, lightweight and durable package.
Solar power's problem is not a problem here.
Solar is a variable energy source, when shadowing occurs a panel's voltage output fluctuates. These variations in current are bad for motors – they can cause them to run hotter, reducing performance, efficiency and shortening lifespan. It also forces the motor into more stop/start cycles – reducing performance and output.
When an electric motor hums, vibrates or heats up – those are signs that the power being fed to the motor is not clean. A variation in current or a modified sine wave puts stress on motors – they produce less, die sooner and cost you money. Like the fuel in your car, water in the gasoline is not good for your engine. Similarly, the signal you 'feed' to electric motors has a big impact.
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are proving to be ever more useful and powerful. They increase motor efficiency, reduce noise, extend the lifespan of devices, and add useful features like soft-start and speed control. The more advanced VFD controllers on the market today deliver pure sine wave power to motors, but that's not the whole story.
The next evolution in VFDs is here now – SMS controllers do what others can’t .
Pure vs modified sine wave, soft-start and speed control are all great. Other systems also have this capability, but ONLY SMS proprietary Intelligent Charge Control technology lets you set your preferred power source to use only solar or to use a combination of solar/battery during the daytime and battery for nighttime operation. The system dynamically manages solar input fluctuations (shadowing) and automatically switches to the alternate battery source to ensure predictable output and performance.
The SMS controller maximizes the solar DC input to produce high-quality conditioned power. In low light conditions, when other systems fail to start or simply shut down – an SMC controlled motor keeps running and automatically adjusts for maximum performance.
How it works: Simply put; advanced algorithms. As input power fluctuates (dawn, dusk and shadowing), the SMS controller recalculates for the compensated run sequence and automatically adjusts the motor at a revised speed and torque based on the available light. These advanced and proprietary algorithms are unmatched in the industry! When sunlight falls below critical lighting minimum the motor will stop and attempt a restart with the available light at revised toque and speed.
Scientific breakthrough meets practical benefit
These capabilities produce several practical benefits:
- Run practically ANY off-the-shelf 3-phase device using solar power – from anywhere.
- Built-in Charge Controller with automatic Active Power Factor Correction.
- Motors run quieter, smoother and with less heat – they last longer.
- Programmable, dynamic granular charging curve increases battery life.
- Battery priority can be programmed and monitored online – No DIP switches!
- Utilize 100% of your solar investment – get ALL of the solar energy produced. When solar supersedes demand, the system automatically charges the batteries.
- Motors start earlier in the day and run later, increasing runtime. When other motors stop dues to low light conditions the SMC controlled motor recalculates with the available light and automatically restarts at a speed to match the available power.
- Advanced electronics drive better motor performance, even with older panels past their peak performance.
Model/Sizes: 3HP 5HP 7.5HP 10HP
- 3HP motor = 10 panels
- 5HP motor = 18 panels
- 7.5HP motor = 26 panels
- 10HP motor = 36 panels
100% solar utilization.
If the solar input falls below the minimum required to drive the motor, the system can be set to automatically switch to batteries to keep the motor running. When excess power is available, it is diverted to charge lead-acid batteries. Battery systems can be configured for 2, 4, 6, 8+ hours of backup operation, simply by adding more panels in series/parallel combination to match the size of the battery system.
Solar+Battery system specifications.
- Proprietary Charge Control technology simultaneously runs device and charges batteries
- Dynamic granular charging increases battery life and utilizes 100% of solar power produced.
- Configurable duration (watt hours) of standby battery power
- Proprietary Circuit-Level MPPT dynamically manages and automatically adjusts to variable solar input – even on cloudy days or with partial shadowing.
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP) – practically eliminates electrical and electromagnetic noise. Our digital, pure sine wave, vector-based inversion technology produces clean AC power to dramatically improve motor performance.
- The Internet of Things (IoT) enabled – monitor and control systems from anywhere and programmable SMS (text) based monitoring and alerts.
- Programmable management of power source and specified time line.
- Real-time synchronization of 24 clock.
- Global Parameter Settings – adjust many devices at once to optimize usage.
- Soft start technology.
- Speed and torque control.
- Reversible motor (not recommended for pumps).
- Dry run monitoring.
- Closed-loop speed control.
- Temperature management of controller and 3-phase devices.
- Overload/over voltage protection.
- Use any standard PV solar panels.
- Use any standard 3-Phase AC motor.
- Light weight, compact design is more reliable requiring less maintenance
Plug n' play set up – Anywhere
The Solar+Battery Series provide commercial/industrial-grade performance in a wide variety of off-grid applications for off-grid jobs that need predictable operation. SMS controllers are compact, lighter and more reliable and run longer with less maintenance that single-phase or DC systems. SMS systems are compatible with most off-the-shelf components:
- Standard PV solar panels (100w to 310w) and standard connections.
- Standard 3-Phase AC motors/pumps – 0.5HP 1HP 1.5HP 2HP.
- Standard batteries
- Standard plumbing connections.
As with all solar and 3-phase electrical systems a certified electrician is required, but for a qualified installer the system is easy to setup.
Perfect for commercial/industrial-grade off-grid applications.
- Domestic supply, animal water tanks, construction sites.
- Gardens, fountains, agriculture, horticulture, irrigation.
- Aerate ponds or fish farm tanks.
- Circulation/cooling fans, condensers (HVAC) and compressors.
Now you can combine the cost savings of solar with the predictable operation of battery power.
Application examples
Crop irrigation: A solar+Battery system provides a good solution for small-scale surface drip or flood irrigation systems that require daytime running and some nighttime operation.
