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Other MidNite Electronics => MidNite SPD (Lightning arrestor) => Topic started by: Trukinbear on September 24, 2020, 01:09:04 AM

Title: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Trukinbear on September 24, 2020, 01:09:04 AM
Regarding my MNSPD-300 on the AC side of my system.

On page 4 of the included instructions you show this connected to Ground,  L1 out (load) and L1 in (generator).

In this configuration I have 2 blue LEDs illuminated with the generator OFF, and 0 LEDs illuminated with the generator running.

What is this trying to tell me? Wouldn't something like a floating generator neutral still have one LED lit? I'm sure the generator's ground and neutral are bonded in the generator panel, and that ground line is extended from the generator panel to the inverter's e-panel and connected to the main ground lug there. What am I missing?

Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Kent0 on September 24, 2020, 09:58:40 PM
Could be an inverter that is switching the neutral/ground connection such that the system is ungrounded when the generator is on.
Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Trukinbear on September 24, 2020, 11:58:13 PM
Quote from: Kent0 on September 24, 2020, 09:58:40 PM
Could be an inverter that is switching the neutral/ground connection such that the system is ungrounded when the generator is on.

The neutral ground bond, and the system ground are both in the generator's panel... and that line extends to the Inverter e-panel where the Inverter, Generator, and the MNSPD all share the same ground bus bar.

Wouldn't that trip at least a few of my dozen or so GFCI's?

Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Trukinbear on September 25, 2020, 12:21:46 PM
I know we got off on the wrong foot and you guys are ignoring me, which is a shame considering I've spent over a year's annual income on MidNite Solar products and this seems to be the only place for help - and I'm actually a nice guy, a Quaker who runs a charity that deals with end of life cancer patients, and I care for my invalid mom (on life support) and my special needs adult son - all while being technically homeless.

Since I can't find info anywhere else, I'm just going to have to assume this condition is perfectly safe - if I become a big smokin greasy spot in front of my five figures in MidNite Solar products and you knew what my problem is but didn't say - I hope it weighs heavily on your soul.
Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Kent0 on September 25, 2020, 11:23:01 PM
Is there a chance that the SPD you are using is a MNSPD300DC? The AC unit has LED indicators that show if voltage is present between L1 and ground, and L2 and ground. The DC unit LEDs indicate if voltage is present between L1 and L2. With a DC unit connected to the input and output of the inverter, there would only be voltage across L1 and L2 when the generator is off. When the generator is on L1 and L2 would be the same voltage on both LEDs would be off. The protection is the same, but the LEDs give the wrong indication of what is going on because the wrong one is being used.
Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: Trukinbear on September 26, 2020, 01:36:48 AM
Quote from: Kent0 on September 25, 2020, 11:23:01 PM
Is there a chance that the SPD you are using is a MNSPD300DC? The AC unit has LED indicators that show if voltage is present between L1 and ground, and L2 and ground. The DC unit LEDs indicate if voltage is present between L1 and L2. With a DC unit connected to the input and output of the inverter, there would only be voltage across L1 and L2 when the generator is off. When the generator is on L1 and L2 would be the same voltage on both LEDs would be off. The protection is the same, but the LEDs give the wrong indication of what is going on because the wrong one is being used.
Thank  you
Title: Re: What do these LEDs indicate - two, then none?
Post by: FNG on December 01, 2020, 07:06:50 AM
What Kent said, This seems the most logical to me as the SPD DC looks between black and red for voltage to light the LED's when the generator is running there of course is no voltage between AC IN and AC OUT. The System is still protected of course you just dont have visual indication when the Generator is running.

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Ryan