A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "KID" charge controller => Topic started by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 03:52:06 AM

Title: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 03:52:06 AM
http://i.imgur.com/CRfy99r.png   

Exactly my issue as per the suport ticket which i'm in a wait/hurry to get answered. Was hoping someone might be able to help me in meantime if its not a dead unit.

Fuses are fine, batterys voltages are fine. Wiring is fine.
Used a meter to test panels and batterys and such already before disconnecting unit to bring him from remote use location.
Am in a rush to get it replaced/fixxed/sorted.
Any idea's? 
Had bought unit nov of last year but had to wait until May of this year to install, and it worked fine for over a month.1
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: ClassicCrazy on July 03, 2017, 10:36:28 AM
When your Kid was hooked up , did you put the meter also on the output to see if it was charging ?
I am wondering if just the display failed and the rest of the unit is still working ?

Larry
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 11:01:06 AM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on July 03, 2017, 10:36:28 AM
When your Kid was hooked up , did you put the meter also on the output to see if it was charging ?
I am wondering if just the display failed and the rest of the unit is still working ?

Larry
Both the side LED's and the LCD didn't work. I have a voltage readout hooked up and it was just sitting with no float/equalize or anything.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:29:59 AM
did you hook up the battery first?  If it was the solar that was first you will not have a properly functioning KID or Classic.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 11:33:57 AM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:29:59 AM
did you hook up the battery first?  If it was the solar that was first you will not have a properly functioning KID or Classic.
I leave the system setup when i leave camp maintaining the batteries. It was like this when i came back after a week gone.

For troubleshooting i disconnected everything and worked my way thru checking wires breakers and fuses.
Battery was hooked up to unit first.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:58:42 AM
hat being the case START by doing a factory RESET   AFTER turning OFF both Solar and Battery  , press BOTH the , <  and > soft keys together and turn on the battery power...  HOLD the keys DOWN till you see SOLAR on the screen and now set all your charging details...

If this does not work report back to us  what the results are....
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 12:02:21 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:58:42 AM
hat being the case START by doing a factory RESET   AFTER turning OFF both Solar and Battery  , press BOTH the , <  and > soft keys together and turn on the battery power...  HOLD the keys DOWN till you see SOLAR on the screen and now set all your charging details...

If this does not work report back to us  what the results are....
I am not at the install location , but do have the unit and an available 12v battery.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 12:23:45 PM
Was a junkie car battery only holding 12.1v but it should have worked for this quick test.
Held Left and right arrow down while connecting to battery. Nothing happens. Held for maybe 10-15 seconds? Then disconnected and tried connecting first then pressing. Same result. Nothing.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: ClassicCrazy on July 03, 2017, 12:44:02 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:58:42 AM
hat being the case START by doing a factory RESET   AFTER turning OFF both Solar and Battery  , press BOTH the , <  and > soft keys together and turn on the battery power...  HOLD the keys DOWN till you see SOLAR on the screen and now set all your charging details...

If this does not work report back to us  what the results are....
Westbranch
I know that works for Classic - but does it also work for Kid ? That is what he has . Guess I never tried that with my Kid .

Larry
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: KyleM on July 03, 2017, 02:41:52 PM
Quote from: ClassicCrazy on July 03, 2017, 12:44:02 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 11:58:42 AM
hat being the case START by doing a factory RESET   AFTER turning OFF both Solar and Battery  , press BOTH the , <  and > soft keys together and turn on the battery power...  HOLD the keys DOWN till you see SOLAR on the screen and now set all your charging details...

If this does not work report back to us  what the results are....
Westbranch
I know that works for Classic - but does it also work for Kid ? That is what he has . Guess I never tried that with my Kid .

Larry

Just to confrim it Yes, the factory reset works on all of the Classics and the KIDs.

-Kyle
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 03:22:42 PM
Thanks for trying to help guys. I've ordered a new unit overnight as i need this by the 5th. RMA department was unable to crosship anything.  Looks like ill have a spare for sale soon.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 04:21:34 PM
Larry, the manual is SADLY LACKING IN HOW TO DO A RESET... I just guessed a few days ago when my neighbour came ovr with all th LEDs  acting like a Roman Candle fireworks display... which has not beenn discussed in the Forum yet...
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 04:38:53 PM
Yes, the manual is very lacking in any troubleshooting. As is the website. When you submit a ticket it lists common problems to choose from to make a ticket for, but no common solutions.
Other than this hiccup, the unit has been everything needed.
Although the length of the run to the panels being suboptimal of 150ft and not facing south. It still provided what i expected.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 06:21:49 PM
MF please try again pushing FIRMLY on the buttons, it took us 2 trys to get it right..
tks.
Title: Re: LCD is Dark ,No Powerup
Post by: Masked Frog on July 03, 2017, 07:21:04 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on July 03, 2017, 06:21:49 PM
MF please try again pushing FIRMLY on the buttons, it took us 2 trys to get it right..
tks.
I bottomed them out like a bad tv remote  :P
If the LCD itself was just dead i would assume the side LED's would still work.