Solar and DC Power Solutions
Baseline Solar and DC Power Solutions, get smart irrigation control anywhere!
Solar power is one of the most abundant sources of energy that’s not only powerful but also sustainable. Baseline irrigation controllers and performance components can harness this energy source and bring smart water management to remote locations while saving money on electrical costs.
The Baseline solution for solar and DC power is a great option for:
New projects where electrical drops are not yet available
Remote locations where hardwired electricity is not feasible
Locations where hardscape or softscape infrastructure prohibits new wire paths
High-efficiency LEED projects
The solution starts with the solar panel. Baseline sources the Solartech N-Series solar panel with 3 foot leads for easy installation. The Solartech panel uses high-end photovoltaics that leads the industry in efficiency and output. The solar panel feeds an electrical current to a SunSaver SS-10-12V charge controller. The charge controller regulates the flow of current to and from the battery to protect the battery from overcharge and over discharge. It also provides self-diagnostics and electronic error protection. The Baseline DC controller system includes a voltage doubler that modifies the current from 12 volts DC to 24 volts DC.
Baseline does not include or sell batteries with the DC controller system. Refer to our Specifiers Guide for DC Controllers for more information. Remember that you may need multiple batteries to operate your DC controller system.
Features that Matter
Solar Panel
- Solartech Power, Inc. photovoltaic N-Series modules are constructed with high efficiency polycrystalline solar cells that produce higher output per module than others in its class.
- Accessible junction box with 2 MC4 style 3ft leads for easy installation
- ( EVA ) with TPT cushions the solar cells within the laminate and ensures the operating characteristics of the solar cells under virtually any climatic condition.
- Rigid anodized aluminum frame and low iron-tempered glass
- Easily accessible grounding points on all four corners for fast installation
SunSaver Solar Charge Controller
- 100% solid state
- Durable across a wide temperature range (-40° to 140° Fahrenheit)
- LEDs for diagnostics and status
Baseline Irrigation Controllers and Performance Components Compatible with DC Power
- BaseStation 3200™
- BaseStation 1000™
- AG 1000™
- SubStation™
- FlowStation™
Other Baseline Products Compatible with DC Power
- Wi-Fi, cell modem module, and Ethernet radio communication modules
- DC latching solenoids
- A range of two-wire biCoder products (refer to the DC Irrigation Controller Technical Specification for details)
IMPORTANT NOTE
Due to the nature of solar energy and the extent to which it varies from region to region, Baseline strongly encourages you to download and fill out the Solar Calculator Worksheet to determine the potential power output of a solar system at your site.
Specifications for Solar and DC Power Solutions
DC System Configurations
The Baseline DC products are available as a package with the DC irrigation controller and solar panels available from Baseline at an additional cost or as the DC irrigation controller with a voltage doubler board for sites where DC power is already available.
DC System Requirements
For all sites, the following DC system requirements apply:
- All DC controllers come with a voltage doubler board that converts the power from 12V to 24V.
- DC controllers operate on two-wire only (no conventional wire is allowed).
- When operating in DC mode, wire length is reduced by half.
- On 14 gauge wire, the maximum length is 2500 ft.
- On 12 gauge wire, the maximum length is 4000 ft.
For sites that do not have a DC power feed available, the following additional DC system requirements apply:
- Customers will need to purchase a battery from another vendor. Refer to the Battery Requirements below.
- Customers who order wall mount cabinets must provide their own enclosure for the batteries.
- Baseline’s stainless steel pedestal enclosure has a built-in shelf for one Group 24 or Group 27 battery.
- The shelf is 14 inches wide x 7.25 inches deep.
- If more than one battery is required for a pedestal system, the customer must supply enclosures for the additional batteries.
- A solar charge controller is factory-installed in Baseline DC irrigation controller systems.
- Customers will need to purchase compatible solar panels. For the specifications of the products that Baseline sells, refer to the Solar Panel section and the Solar Panel Mounting System section below.
Calculating Battery and Solar Panel Needs
The basic power source for a DC controller is a deep-cycle battery that is charged with a solar panel. The number of solar panels and batteries you will need to power your system depends on a number of factors including the following:
- The Baseline controller you are using
- The type and number of communication modules
- The type and quantity of two-wire devices on the system
- The average solar irradiance for your location during your watering months
Refer to our Specifiers Guide for DC Controllers and the Solar Calculator Worksheet for more information.
DC System Components
Battery
Baseline does not include or sell batteries with the DC powered controller system. Use the following requirement to purchase a compatible battery. Remember that you may need multiple batteries to operate your DC controller system. Refer to our Specifiers Guide for DC Controllers and the Solar Calculator Worksheet for more information.
Battery Requirement: 12V true deep-cycle flooded battery (if stored inside the controller pedestal, use Group 24 or Group 27). AGM (glassmat) batteries are not compatible with the factory-configured settings on the charge controller.
Make sure the battery is fully charged before installing it in the system.
Note: Monitor the fluid levels in the battery frequently to determine how often your batteries need watering.
Solar Charge Controller
A solar charge controller is installed in Baseline DC irrigation controller systems. The charge controller regulates the flow of current to and from the battery to protect the battery from overcharge and over discharge. It also provides self-diagnostics and electronic error protection.
The SunSaver product that Baseline provides allows up to 2 solar panels. If additional panels are required, the customer must purchase and replace the charge controller.
Refer to the DC Irrigation Controller Technical Specification for more information about the SunSaver.
Solar Panel
Solar panels are not included in the DC controller system, but Baseline offers the high-quality Solartech N-Series Module that is compatible with our system.
Solartech photovoltaic N-Series Modules are constructed with high efficient polycrystalline solar cells and produce higher output per module than others in it class. This industrial grade module is an industry standard among various industry professionals.
Refer to the DC Irrigation Controller Technical Specification for more information about the solar panel.
Solar Panel Mounting System
When you purchase a solar panel from Baseline, we include a pole mount from Tamarack.
Note: The customer must purchase the pole separately.
Tamarack UNI-SP/01A Side of Pole Mount
The UNI-SP/01A Universal Side-of-Pole Mount is a simple and straightforward pole mounting solution for small area solar panel needs. With its user settable angle adjustment, it can support installations in a wide range of locations.
Features of the Tamarack UNI-SP/01A Universal Side-of-Pole Mount:
- Designed to fit pole diameters of 2 to 4.5 inches
- Supports modules up to 27 inches wide with a center-center weight distribution
- Tilt adjustment from 15 to 65 degrees
- Manufactured using heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant 5052-H32 aluminum
- 10-year warranty
Grounding Requirements
- The solar panel frame and the Baseline enclosure (X cabinet or Pedestal) SHOULD BE grounded.
- Most solar systems recommend grounding the negative of the battery. This should NOT be done on Baseline DC controller systems.
- The +/- connections on the solar panel, the charge controller, and the battery should NOT be grounded.
Fuse Requirements
Battery Connection Fuse
Fuse the positive side.
The fuse to the battery must be within 6″ of the battery.
IMPORTANT! Leave the fuse out until all is wired.
You must purchase the fuse and the fuse holder separately for both the battery fuse and the solar panel fuse.
Solar Panel Connection Fuse
Fuse the positive side.
IMPORTANT! Leave the fuse out until all is wired.
Wire and Cable Requirements
Use 75° C copper wire.
Refer to the wire gauge chart in the SunSaver Manual for the correct wire gauge.
A pair of solar panel cables – one with a male Mc4 connector on one end and bare wire on the other end. The other with a female Mc4 connector on one end and bare wire on the other end.
Enclosure Options
“X” Cabinet—Wall Mount Enclosure
- Dimensions: 15.50” x 12.38” x 6.40”
- 16 Gauge, powder-coated
“XS” Cabinet—Wall Mount Enclosure
- Dimensions: 15.50” x 12.38” x 6.40”
- 16 Gauge, 304-grade stainless steel
“P” Standard Pedestal Enclosure
- Dimensions: 17.38” x 36.25” x 12.63”
- 16 Gauge, 304-grade stainless steel
“PSS” Super Strong Pedestal Enclosure
- Dimensions: 16” x 38” x 15.5”
- 16 Gauge, 304-grade stainless steel
Technical Specifications
Installation Guides
General Specifications
How to Specify Solar and DC Power Solutions
BaseStation 3200 DC Controllers
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-3200X-DC | DC two-wire controller in 16-gauge powder-coated metal wall mount cabinet. Supports up to 200 zones. |
| BL-3200XS-DC | DC two-wire controller in 16-gauge stainless-steel wall mount cabinet. Supports up to 200 zones. |
| BL-3200P-DC | DC two-wire controller in 16-gauge stainless-steel pedestal. Supports up to 200 zones. |
BaseStation 1000 DC Controllers
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-1000X-DC | DC two-wire controller in large 16-gauge powder-coated metal wall mount cabinet. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
| BL-1000XS-DC | DC two-wire controller in large 16-gauge stainless-steel wall mount cabinet. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
| BL-1000P-DC | DC two-wire controller in 16-gauge stainless-steel pedestal. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
AG 1000 DC Controllers
| Part Number | Description |
| AG-1000X-DC | DC two-wire controller in large 16-gauge powder-coated metal wall mount cabinet. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
| AG-1000XS-DC | DC two-wire controller in large 16-gauge stainless-steel wall mount cabinet. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
| AG-1000P-DC | DC two-wire controller in 16-gauge stainless-steel pedestal. Supports 100 zones and is fully compatible with BaseManager. |
SubStation DC Controllers
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-SUBSTNX-DC | DC two-wire only SubStation in large 16-gauge powder-coated metal wall mount cabinet. |
| BL-SUBSTNXS-DC | DC two-wire only SubStation in large 16-gauge stainless-steel wall mount cabinet. |
| BL-SUBSTNP-DC | DC two-wire only SubStation in 16-gauge stainless-steel pedestal |
FlowStation DC Controllers
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-FLOWSTNX-DC | DC shared flow controller in large 16-gauge powder-coated metal wall mount cabinet. |
| BL-FLOWSTNXS-DC | DC shared flow controller in large 16-gauge stainless-steel wall mount cabinet. |
| BL-FLOWSTNP-DC | DC shared flow controller in 16-gauge stainless-steel pedestal |
DC biCoders
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-5201DC | 1-station direct burial biCoder for use with DC latching solenoids |
| BL-5202DC | 2-station direct burial biCoder for use with DC latching solenoids |
Solar Panel
| Part Number | Description |
| BL-DC-85WPANEL | North American Standard 85W Solar Panel Includes 85W solar panel, mounting brackets, installation guide. Requires 3″ to 4″ galvanized mounting pole or equivalent. |
