Hi,
on Monday the network interface of my classic lite 150 failed and I had to do a reboot in the evening. I used this to update the FW. Afterwards I did a VMM and set the correct values with the local app.
At the next morning, the status of the classic was (as normal) 'Bulk' but there were no amps flowing through the CC. PV voltage was equal Voc.
I was not able to connect the classic from remote (miss config of my router) with the local app, but I have a raspi in my network and got the data with a python script.
In the afternoon I locally connected and had to switch the mppt mode "off" and "on". I could here the click of the relay and the controller started to charge the battery. So, I thought everything is fine now.
But today in the morning the same situation. There was enough solar power, the CC is in Bulk mode but not charging.
I tried to change from Solar mode to legacy P&O -> no change. When I switched off and on, the CC started charging.
Does anyone has/had the same problem? What can I do?
Thanks for your help and greetings from Germany
Christian
Christian,
Check in the local app tech settings that days between BULK is set to zero
dgd
Hi,
Yes, it's set to 0.
Br
Christian
This is interesting that when you turn the mode OFF and then ON, that it starts to charge properly.
What if you let it sit for a couple of minutes ? Will it go to Resting and then wake up again if
you just let it do its own thing for that short time ? OR, do you absolutely have to turn the mode
to off and on again to get the PV voltage to come down ?
What part of Germany are you in ? I was lucky enough to go to München last year for Solar International.
What a great place !
Hi Bob,
Quote from: boB on May 21, 2014, 05:01:17 PM
This is interesting that when you turn the mode OFF and then ON, that it starts to charge properly.
Yes, afterwards it is charging properly.
Quote from: boB on May 21, 2014, 05:01:17 PM
What if you let it sit for a couple of minutes ? Will it go to Resting and then wake up again if
you just let it do its own thing for that short time ? OR, do you absolutely have to turn the mode
to off and on again to get the PV voltage to come down ?
The first day, I was not able to change anything remotely (had to work), so the Classic had time from sunrise till 4 pm. Should be enough ;)
Today the same scenario. (first screenshot) So I tried a "Force to Absorb" then a "Force to Float" then I set the mppt mode from legacy P&O to Solar. Classic went to Resting (104). (second screenshot) Afterwards I set solar "off" (third one) and "on". Classic starts charging (in float, because I forced it. After the force absorb, it is charging in bulk mode.)(4. screenshot)
See the attached screenshots.
I live in the outskirts of Munich but (unfortunately) have never visit the Inter solar :-)
Are you in Munich this year? The inter solar is from 3rd till 6th of june.
Br
Christian
Not going to Munich this year, unfortunately. Maybe next year. I LOVED my 8 days there !
Thanks for the pictures. I kind of see what you're talking about now.
So, what is the software revision of your Classic ?
Hi,
It's 1849, the newest One. Should i do a vmm again?
Do You Need More data?
Br
Quote from: ultraschall81 on May 22, 2014, 03:02:45 PM
Hi,
It's 1849, the newest One. Should i do a vmm again?
Do You Need More data?
Br
1849 is fine for the Classic.
Did you update the MNGP/Remote, also ?
It's date is 4-14-2014 whereas the Classic (1849) is 4-21-2014 (I think)
I have a classic lite 150, so no MNGP.
Yesterday evening (even it was already dark) the classic still had the Float Mppt status. In the Morning it was changed to bulk and again no charging. But I could hear the "singing of the coils".
Bob, If you need access to my classic via Modbus, this is possible.
Quote from: ultraschall81 on May 23, 2014, 01:05:22 AM
I have a classic lite 150, so no MNGP.
Yesterday evening (even it was already dark) the classic still had the Float Mppt status. In the Morning it was changed to bulk and again no charging. But I could hear the "singing of the coils".
Bob, If you need access to my classic via Modbus, this is possible.
This could work if your router is set to port forward port 502 to your Classic's IP address in your LAN
so it can be accessed by a Local App status panel external to your network.
All I really need though is the number from the Local App that is next to the "Resting" status message
on the front of the status panel. I think it might be "36" but need to verify this.
If so, it's fairly easy to fix that.
I will try to find it out today in the evening.
As I wrote, yesterday evening, the classic didn't went to resting. It stood at Float Mppt.
Let you know.
Hi Bob,
today I had time to Play around. Sorry for the bad english, but it is not easy to describe for me.
I did a VMM again.
My Observation is:
The classic is not going to resting automatically. When I Switched the breakers between the PV and the cc off, I have seen a resting (15 - low light and xxx - PV voltage lower then battery voltage)
But only once or twice after VMM.
After this, when I switch the breakers off, it stood in the state it was before (Bulk Mppt or Float Mppt) I measured the voltage between the Classic and the PV Panels. It was still 26,xV (although breakers were off) Reverse Voltage???
As soon as I switched the Mppt mode to "off", I heared a click and the voltage got low. I switched on the Mppt mode -> Status was still 16 "Mppt mode off".
After switching on the breakers, it clicks again, the classic start charging.
Switching the breakers off -> Status still Bulk Mppt.
Once I have also seen a Resting (104- Unknown)
What can I do to get the classic back to normal Operation? Do I Need to Flash the FW again?
Br
Christian
Today in the morning the same situation.
I had a look at 6:15 (enough light). The Classic was in Bulk Mppt mode, no current flow, PV voltage at Voc.
After a switch off and on, the classic started to charge with around 70w.
I believe the following happened:
When the sun rises, the PV voltage rises over the start voltage (33V???) and the classic wanted to begin charging. As soon as current flows, the PV voltage broke down and the classic was hanging again. The same I have observed yesterday evening.
So, What to do? Firmware upgrade again?
Christian
If the Classic is sitting there putting out less than 20 watts and the battery voltage is below the set-point,
(battery temperature compensated), the Classic should go to Resting in about 90 seconds all by itself.
The Classic may wake up again though and do that again for a while if the input voltage is greater than the
battery voltage by some minimum amount.
One reason that the Classic will NOT go to Resting with less than 20 watts of output is if the
INSOMNIA tweak is ON.
The reason for resting number will stay there until the Classic goes to resting again the next time.
Have you tried the Legacy P&O MPPT mode with solar yet ? Does it work any different ?
I would not re-flash the code quite just yet.
I think we really need to rule out any possible system issues. Are you 100% sure that everything is wired up correctly? Checked Voc, Isc at the disconnect/classic terminals?. That Vmp > Vbat+12? Its a bit crude, but to be 100% sure, you could try briefly attaching the pv to the battery directly and measure the current with a clamp meter. (careful with the arc!) If that all flows good, then recheck the classic and breaker connections for torque, stray strands, continuity, polarity etc etc.
Failing that, somethings whacky and might need service.
Couple of other thoughts, looking at your screens.
1. Fit the battery temp sensor, it can make quite a bit of diff to the charge voltage.
2. The float screen shows 35V pv, battery 27v. This is not alot of headroom for a mppt controller, and if your cable is long or too thin, or any kind of interconnection losses occur, that might be enough to make it not charge correctly.
It would help if you could give a full system spec.
Hi Bob, ZB,
INSOMNIA was the key. Yesterday evening I unchecked it and the classic went to resting over night. Today in the morning, it started to charge with bulk. It looks like everything works well now. Let's see how the behaviour is today evening/tomorrow morning.
Thanks bob!
@ Zoneblue: the system was working since September last year. I could not remember if I had the insomnia mode on or off but I believed it was on, since my small offset between Vbat and Vsolar. And if it was on, it was working fine for the last months.
I wonder If there is a bug in Insomnia mode?
Just same facts of my Solar system:
It was built with some other cc's with a lower Voc (55V). I found a SW-Bug, send them back and ordered a Classic lite in Spain. (Unfortunately the Midnite products are not available in Germany !!!!!)
I have 12 195Wp mono modules (Vmpp ~ 35V). Always 2 are connected in parallel on one 'string'-cable. In the basement they are combined and connected to the Classic. As battery I have 8 200ah LiFePo4 Cells. Inverter is a Victron Energy Multiplus 3KVA. Since march I have additional 1Kwp AC-coupled.
Christian
Glad you found the insomnia button !
Quote from: ultraschall81 on June 02, 2014, 02:25:17 AM
I wonder If there is a bug in Insomnia mode?
Not sure. Do you mean maybe that the Classic did not go from Float back to Bulk/Absorb after being on all night ?
If the classic does not go to Resting after 24 hours, it ~should~ automatically go back to Bulk charge mode if it had gone to
Float the day before.
I wonder why you can't get Classics in Germany ? I was in Munich last year for Intersolar and did see some Classics
but maybe they were only for show and not available there. Then again, it might be some kind of CE thing ?
boB
Quote from: boB on June 03, 2014, 02:12:48 AM
Not sure. Do you mean maybe that the Classic did not go from Float back to Bulk/Absorb after being on all night ?
Yes, the classic is in the afternoon normally in Float-stage. When the sun goes down, it stays in Float. In the next morning it is in bulk but without any current flowing in the battery.
Last september I tired to find a german shop, without success. I ordered it at http://www.prismsolar.co.uk/shop/ . I guess it was the only available internet shop in europe.
This is a pity, because I think the classic is a very good and flexible charger with an easy interface (modbus) for your own logging, etc.
Most of the available (powerful) chargers in germany are Morningstar (Tristar) and Outback (And a couple of ebay china @*#&)
Thanks for your help.
i too have been getting Resting 104 unknown, and have just disabled Insomnia (it seemed like a good idea). i'll know tomorrow if it helped.
This insomniac going to bed now.
Quote from: mike90045 on June 16, 2014, 03:28:07 AM
i too have been getting Resting 104 unknown, and have just disabled Insomnia (it seemed like a good idea). i'll know tomorrow if it helped.
This insomniac going to bed now.
RFR 104 is a WDT watchdog reset
Read the DB5 number off the screen in the next revision of the Local App status panel for the possible clue.
One thing that WILL WDT reset the Classic is if two monitors are trying to access the Classic's logging data at the same time.