Outback Power Systems Outback Power Systems User Manual

                    

Copyright 2003  

  OutBack Power Systems, Inc. 

 

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 Ave NE, Arlington   WA 98223 USA                     

Page 16                                         

Rev 7.0       07/02/04                                                                    Tel 360 435 6030     Fax 360 435 6019  

 
The HUB communication manager allows the MATE to control and monitor a maximum of ten OutBack products.  Currently the HUB 
comes in two types.  The HUB-4 can connect up to four Outback FX’s, MX-60 MPPT charge controllers or a combination of the two.  
The HUB-10 (shown below) can connect up to ten Outback FX’s, MX-60 MPPT charge controllers or a combination of the two.  The 
FX’s can be operated in a stacked or independent configuration.  If the FX’s are to be stacked, the HUB must be part of the system.  In 
a stacked configuration, the Master FX must be plugged into port #1 of the HUB.  The Slave inverters must use the following ports 
(example: for 8 inverters and 2 MX-60’s, the Master must be plugged into Port 1, and the seven Slaves must be plugged into Ports 2-8.  
The MX-60’s can use Ports 9&10).  OutBack MX60 MPPT charge controllers can use any of the remaining ports provided no FX’s are 
used.  Future OutBack products will also be compatible with the HUB.  When using the HUB, the MATE must be plugged into the 1

MATE port of the HUB.  The MATE must be the last device plugged into the HUB for proper operation.   .    
 
The HUB manages both the inter-FX communications and the MATE-FX communication.   
 
When a HUB is used, the RTS (Remote Temperature Sensor) must be plugged into the Master FX which must be plugged into port 1 of 
the HUB.  If this is the case, only one RTS is required for all devices plugged into the HUB.     

When two or more FX’s are stacked in a parallel configuration, the system automatically turns off any excess slave FX’s to save power 
and maximize conversion efficiency.  This power save system is fully automatic and works with or without the MATE connected to the 
system.   

On 3-phase systems, there is a limit of one FX per phase (totaling three FX’s).  In the future, the HUB will be capable of multiple FX’s 
per leg of a 3-phase system.  To convert the HUB into 3-phase mode, please read the HUB instruction manual. 
   
One MATE system controller and display can be connected to the HUB.  Although there are two Mate ports on the HUB, only the 1

Mate port is currently operational.  The MATE can be located up to 1000 feet (300 meters) from the HUB / system location.  Cabling 
from the HUB to the MATE is completed using standard CAT5 type ethernet communication cable with RJ45 modular 8 conductor 
jacks.  This wiring is considered to be low voltage / limited energy circuitry.   
 
All cabling from the FX and MX60 communication ports to the HUB is made with CAT5 type ethernet communication cabling.  The 
maximum distance from the HUB-4 to the FX or MX-60 should be less than 10 feet.  OutBack includes two 3-foot (1 meter) and two 6-
foot (2 meter) long CAT5 cables standard with the HUB-4.  OutBack includes two 3-foot (1 meter) long and four 6-foot (2 meter) long 
CAT5 cables standard with the HUB-10.  Check with your OutBack dealer for additional cables. 

 

There is a limit of ten FX’s when operated as a stacked system. 

A total of up to ten OutBack products plus one MATE displays can be used with a HUB-10 (shown above). 

The HUB-4 will only accept four OutBack products plus one MATE. 

MX60 

HUB-10 

MASTER 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

SLAVE 

MX60 

   MATE