OutBack Power Debuts FLEXmax Extreme Charge Controller
Introduces First Sealed, Outdoor-Rated Charge Controller; Designed to Provide Longer Service Life, Higher Reliability
ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- OutBack Power Technologies, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications, today introduced its FLEXmax Extreme: the first sealed, outdoor-rated maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller. A passively cooled design, the FLEXmax Extreme is the industry’s first charge controller to offer full power output over a wide range of temperatures with a sealed unit capable of protecting circuit boards and other sensitive components from dust, dirt, insects and other contaminants. By eliminating the cooling fan in the design, the FLEXmax Extreme removes the greatest obstacle to long service life and high reliability, since fan problems can severely limit power output.
FLEXmax Extreme’s advanced thermal engineering provides full power output from -20 to 45 degrees Celsius without requiring a cooling fan. The FLEXmax Extreme has a number of installer-friendly features, including:
- Ground-agnostic design with support for negative, positive and floating ground systems;
- Increased wire-bending space;
- Oversized terminals for easy installation with large gauge wire; and
- Industrial design that allows for servicing and replacing components while the unit is mounted on a wall and attached to a conduit.
The FLEXmax Extreme’s design allows it to be easily installed anywhere.
“OutBack Power’s FLEXmax Extreme charge controller significantly improves efficiency and performance of solar energy systems, allowing industrial users to get the most out of their installations,” said Phil Undercuffler, director of product management and strategy for OutBack Power. “The addition of the FLEXmax Extreme to OutBack’s renowned FX inverter/charger line extends the company’s ability to provide clean, reliable power worldwide.”
OutBack Power created the de facto standard with the introduction of the industry’s first multi-voltage MPPT controller. Today, OutBack Power’s line of FLEXmax controllers supports a wide variety of system designs and energy applications by increasing the yield from a solar photovoltaic (PV) array as much as 30 percent more than conventional designs. Using FLEXmax technology and featuring a sealed design, the FLEXmax Extreme offers unprecedented thermal management capabilities and continues in the OutBack tradition of breakthrough products and performance in this critical renewable energy system category.
The FLEXmax Extreme:
- Allows for installation location flexibility with a sealed, outdoor-rated charge controller design;
- Provides longer service life for electronics in a passively cooled design;
- Handles a range of temperatures from -20 to 45 degrees Celsius with a flat derating factor;
- Supports negative-grounded, positive-grounded and floating systems in a ground-agnostic design;
- Supports safety requirements including PV ground-fault detector interrupter (GFDI), advanced PV-GFDI, PV arc-fault protection and emergency power off (EPO); and
- Seamlessly integrates with OutBack Power components including MATE3 and AXS Port Modbus/TCP interface.
The FLEXmax Extreme supports 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 VDC battery voltages; logs the last 128 days of operational data; and features a voltage step-down capability and manual and auto-equalize cycle. Paired with OutBack Power’s recently announced AXS Port Modbus/TCP interface, the FLEXmax Extreme lets industrial customers take advantage of powerful command, control and integration capabilities. Additionally, the technology meets international standards, including UL1741, IEC 62109, IEC 62509, RoHS and CE.
The FLEXmax Extreme charge controller will be available in Q4 2012. Visit booth 4133 at Solar Power International for more information.
About OutBack Power Technologies
OutBack Power Technologies, a member of The Alpha Group, is the leading designer and manufacturer of advanced power electronics for renewable energy, backup power and mobile applications. With an emphasis on product performance, OutBack has established itself as the product of choice in harsh environmental conditions and applications where product reliability is paramount. Whether the application is village micro-grids in Africa, rural electrification projects in Latin America, remote off-grid cabins in Alaska or suburban homes in Southern California, OutBack Power Technologies has set the bar for delivering advanced power conversion electronics. For more information, please visit www.outbackpower.com.
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