Firmware Updates and what they added or fixed

[Halfcrazy]

Ok I am going to start a thread to document each Firmware release and what exactly it did. This way if you have not updated your firmware in a while you can look back to see if there is any reason to. I will ask that everyone refrain from posting in this thread instead please start a new thread for your question I want to keep this as easy to navigate as possible.

[Halfcrazy]

2-7-2011

Removed AUX setup from Wizard
Other little stuff...

[Halfcrazy]

2-16-2011

Same as 2-7-2011 except with the correct network code so MNGP can recover
if communications with Classic gets lost.

[Halfcrazy]

2-28-2011 (CLASSIC) No change to the MNGP

Setpoint Voltages were  0.1 Volt lower than the temperature compensated setpoint.
The regulated voltages now agree with the setpoint voltages.

EQualize was always temperature compensated even if T-Comp'd was set to "NO"

48V batteries sometimes had a problem not staying in Absorb and timing properly.
   This is now fixed.  Please email  customerservice@midnitesolar.com if any
   problems are seen in this regard.

EQualize timer was not being reset to inital time after an EQ was done. EQ Timer
now reloads next day or when Float or new Bulk/Absorb cycle started.

"EQ DONE"  message was not being reset.   This info flag now resets when a button
    is pressed in main status or next morning or Bulk/Absorb cycle is started.

"Resting" was displayed sometimes when we were not really resting.  Only shows
   this status when relay is off and we really are Resting or Sleeping.


Aux 1 and Aux 2 Diversion operation was based on Average PV and Battery voltages.
  This was changed to Peak PV and battery voltages to obtain a faster over voltage
   diversion timing.

[Halfcrazy]

3-3-2011 (MNGP)


STATUS display screen changes are now made by repeated pressing of the STATUS
button.   The old method of using the RIGHT and LEFT ARROW keys to navigate between
STATUS screens can be done by HOLDING down the STATUS key for about 5 seconds until
the number "1"   is displayed on the screen.    Holding down the STATUS key again for
5 or so seconds will return STATUS screen navigation to the STATUS button only method.
This STATUS screen navigation is NOT remembered in the non-volatile memory at this time
and always powers up in the STATUS button only navigation mode.

[Halfcrazy]

3-4-2011 MNGP

Removed some un-implemented charger menus.  Mainly external Ending Amps, modbus source
   address and State Of Charge (BAT-SOC) related menus.

[Halfcrazy]

3-4-2011   Classic only no changes to the MNGP

EQ Voltage was able to be set below Absorb and Float set point voltages.
   EQ Voltage is now limited to a minimum of the Absorb set point voltage.


Lower Temp-Comp voltage set point was able to be set above the lowest
   set point Voltage. Minimum Temp-Comp Voltage limit now has an
   upper limit of (un-compensated) Float set point Voltage.

[Halfcrazy]

Classic Control  6-9-2011

   Added Clipper Aux mode to Aux 1 (non-PWM)  and Aux 2 (PWM)

   Fixed Annoying blue LED staying on after boot up

   Extended USB wait time boot-up firmware update for slower PCs

   Added simple Nite-Lite mode to Aux 1 and Aux 2 (off at Dawn wake-up)

   Added Vent-Fan mode to Aux 1. Basically, diversion mode with adjustable
      On Voltage threshold, 1 second delay and 30 second hold time

   Added Aux 1 mode that triggers when charge stage goes to Float

   Better battery voltage overshoot catch.

   Better reverse current detection and turn off.

   Added high battery voltage overshoot turn off when battery breaker is shut
    off when high current charging is occurring.

   USB now outputs ASCII (CSV format), PV input Voltage, Target Voltage, Average
   battery Voltage, Average Battery current, Pv Input Current, Average Power
   into Battery (Watts) at about twice per second plus CR/LF

   Can select USB to output all modbus registers (CSV format) for cloning.
       TODO:  Accept CSV input from CSV over USB

   Fixed EQ so that EQ Aborts and goes back to previous state (Absorb/FLoat) if
      EQ is disabled in EQ menu. (No, it didn't actually stop the EQ before)

   Added Legacy P&O  and Micro Hydro MPPT modes (these are similar but slightly
      different from each other) Hydro mode also will not turn off due to
      low power.

   Wind Graph Editor now keeps two adjacent currents from being equal, otherwise
   input voltage could shoot up high (like a divide by zero error)

   MODBUS over TCP/IP now works at port 502 rather than 3900

   Classic now automatically disables MPPT when Nominal Battery Voltage changes
   or Absorb Voltage is raised abruptly over 10.0 Volts.
   This works from MNGP QuickSet in Charger/VOLTS menu so disable is not necessary first.


MNGP 6-9-2011
   Changes required to menus to accomodate the new Controller changes.
   
   
Classic Control  6-9-2011

   Micro Hydro and Legacy P&O MPPT MODES can now go closer to V-battery
   Charge stage will now show Resting if Relay is OFF and anything else
   reguires that Relay is ON  (engaged)

   Fixed slight (and rarely seen) bug where Classic could wake up and
   show other than RESTING but Relay was NOT on.

[Halfcrazy]

7-11-2011      (WAS erroneously 6-11-2011) (was not released)
   Fixed  Arc Fault Sensitivity initialization problem where AF may
   not take new settings making AF too sensitive.

   Fixed a bug where 250 KS units set for 120V battery would show 72V
   but operate as 120V battery charger with 72V temperature compensation
   constants.  Work around was to set Temp Comp for -8.5 mV/C/Cell if
   battery sensor was used.

9-1-2011   (was not released)

   Aux 1 and Aux 2 FLOAT trigger now activate only when battery V is at
       or above Float Set Point Voltage rather than just being in FLOAT
   or Float MPPT mode

   MNGP now initializes Time and Date in the Classic itself for data log
   time stamps.
   
   Basic data logging saves various daily peak values as well as data
   logging various conditions during the day.  Max of 380 days for
   dailys and 380 data points for conditions throughout the day.
   Daily values save at night and intra-day values update every
   MinuteLogIntervalSec seconds (new modbus register 4135 (4136)
   adjustable down to 60 seconds at minimum (fastest update time)
   while Classic is running  (i.e. NOT resting)


   Slight partial shading detection change
   

   Aux 1 Delay and Hold time can now be adjusted for longer times for
   some applications requiring hours.  Added Soft-Left SHIFT button
   to rapidly increment or decrement through the delay and hold times.

   Classic now changes and saves the Unit's 8 character name when
   changed through modbus registers.  (name does not appear on MNGP
   yet)


   Fixed EQ timer and viewing bug in MNGP so it now counts in
   seconds rather than minutes.

   Fixed EQ Voltage adjustment in MNGP so you can now see the hundreds
   digit for 250KS units.  (For example, he "1" of 143.2V would
   not be visible on the left side)


9-24-2011
   New, more stable networking code and is capable of changing ports on the fly.

   Data logging is time stamped so remember to set the MNGP clock !

   NEXT MNGP version and soon to be released PC/MAC/Linux application will read
    and display these logs... Coming very soon.

   MNGP.  More wind turbine power curves as well as automatic curve generation for
      initial curves based on battery voltage and current limit settings.  These
      will eventually be used for initial guess on wind power curve learning mode.
      (read charger voltage settings before using this mode)  Check manual for more
      information.

   Holding down LEFT and RIGHT arrows while botting puts MNGP into initial setup mode
   and guesses nominal battery voltage with selection of SOLAR, WIND or HYDRO modes.
   New Classics will be shipped in this power up setup mode.

   Some new Aux menu modes and descriptions.

   Various enhancements and fixes for both MNGP and Classic control.  Check for information
   updates or on the MidNite forum.

[Halfcrazy]

11-9-11

Charger Limits menus now has Maximum input current limit adjustment.

   Hydro MPPT Mode now has a Minimum Input Voltage sweep set point

   WIZARD sets Aux1 function to Float High if Grid Tied System is answered with a YES

   Fixed various tracking bugs in Hydro and Legacy MPPT modes and added an preset
   input MPP V mode to Micro Hydro mode.

   Hydro MPPT mode now goes to sleep like all other modes if low power is sustained
   for 90 seconds.

   Added Auto-EQ mode with adjustable number of days that the Classic will re-try
   until it finishes with the EQUALIZE time.

   Added once a day auto-reset option.

   Various network code fixes.

   Added Day to Day data logging and recent history logging every 5 minutes (default)
   with display in either text or graphical modes.

   Added new TWEAKS 2 bits menu for enabling/disabling the once a day auto reset
   option, force Auto EQ counter count-down counters and a bit that enables the
   charge timers for EQ, Bulk and Absorb to count normally when the Diversion
   Aux output is active. This is added because the battery volage may be below
   the charge stage set point voltage.

   Added  USB Communications mode selection in MISC-COMM menu to select between
   various functions like modbus register dump, twice per second data log output
   for capture on a PC.  The Classic will always "wake up" looking for code updates
   for the first few seconds when first powered up.

11-9-2011
   Added Twiddle Dither for Hydro mode

   Fixed problem where MNGP Quick Set on Bootup would not always send info to Classic
   if ENTER was pressed too soon

   Fixed Quick Set on bootup problem where 120V battery (KS only) was interpreted as 12V

[Halfcrazy]

Sorry I have gotten behind on this. For Clarity I removed any posts that where not actual firmware upgrade items.

There where a few firmware releases between the last on posted and the upcoming release on 7-2-2012 below are some of the added functions.

*Some Graphing and Logging changes for clarity and functionality
*More changes to Hydro mode for greater functionality
*Fans turn on at a higher temp and also turn off 5 minutes after the classic goes to resting
*Added ModBus port adjustment to MISC menu
*Added Build number to the firmware version status screen
*Clipper mode has a absolute high Voltage set point now
*Added Dairyland wind power curve and some other curves as well
*Fixed issue with Lifetime KWH
*Changes to the EQ menu for clarity
*Added DC clipper mode for Midnites DC clipper

[Halfcrazy]

06-29-2012 Classic build #1043 MNGP build # 1056

*Classic control over modbus now requires a password for security (Classic serial # no 0 or letter)
*Fixed the Quick Start to add charging voltage set points as well as date and time
*Serial # can be displayed in one of the status screens on the MNGP
*Removed Wizard for clarity
*Various improvements to make the Classic more reliable and efficient.

This release has a few tweaks to the regulation and tracking that will increase reliability. We encourage everyone to upgrade to this version especially anyone running a Classic 250 or 250KS. In some very rare cases after installation of this version you may notice unusual behavior of the Classic. This is rare and has only been seen on Classics with very old Firmware. If you experience any unusual behavior please try a "Quick Start" by turning the power off to the Classic and holding the Left and Right arrows and turning the power on. Hold the arrows until the first Solar, Wind or Hydro screen pops up. Follow the on screen steps and continue setup. Also note that this will reset all settings to factory default and you will need to reset any custom settings like Aux 1 and 2 settings.

[niel]

*Fans turn on at a higher temp and also turn off 5 minutes after the classic goes to resting

can this be defeated or do we have no choice?

*Removed Wizard for clarity

so the standard setup wizard will no longer be available to those setting up for the first or wishing to do it again?

sometimes you need to elaborate on the changes being made.

[Halfcrazy]

Yeah we found the fans where turning on to early the temperature of turn on was so low that people in the hot southern states where complaining the fans where running all night. So we fixed that and make them turn on at a more reasonable temperature now. They also no longer stay running if the Classic is Resting simply do to the fact the Classic is not running so no need for fans. This again was brought to our attention from a large handful of people whose fans never shut off.

On the Wizard. The String sizing portion with voltage drop will be available on our website. And portions of it will come back when they actually are needed. We where fielding a lot of calls about longitude and Latitude and the likes when in reality they did not do anything at all. Customers seemed to in General feel it was nuisance so we simply give them the 4 basic setup screens they where asking for. Input type Solar, Wind or Hydro then Battery voltage and then Charging set points and date and time.

If people really feel the second half of the wizard had merit on the actual Classic (We figure it was to late by then to size the wire and breakers) then we could bring it back named appropriately.

As always we truly welcome all feedback and will act accordingly. Keep in mind all of these changes are based on calls from users who have expressed there opinions.

Ryan

[Watt]

The latest firmware I see listed on the firmware download page is 4-29-2012. 

06-29-2012 Classic build #1043 MNGP build # 1056

*Classic control over modbus now requires a password for security (Classic serial # no 0 or letter)
*Fixed the Quick Start to add charging voltage set points as well as date and time
*Serial # can be displayed in one of the status screens on the MNGP
*Removed Wizard for clarity
*Various improvements to make the Classic more reliable and efficient.

This release has a few tweaks to the regulation and tracking that will increase reliability. We encourage everyone to upgrade to this version especially anyone running a Classic 250 or 250KS. In some very rare cases after installation of this version you may notice unusual behavior of the Classic. This is rare and has only been seen on Classics with very old Firmware. If you experience any unusual behavior please try a "Quick Start" by turning the power off to the Classic and holding the Left and Right arrows and turning the power on. Hold the arrows until the first Solar, Wind or Hydro screen pops up. Follow the on screen steps and continue setup. Also note that this will reset all settings to factory default and you will need to reset any custom settings like Aux 1 and 2 settings.