MyMidnite Classic 150 Stops Responding

[dgd]

The serial port stays open all of the time, I don't actually know how it could be opened/closed.
I can't see an issue with the various Classics I use when reading registers every second.

With the rPi and Classic is the Classic still working (battery charging) when the data comms over serial port is no longer working?
Also try the other serial port on the Classic and see if the problem persists.

dgd

[TeslasPigeons]

With the rPi and Classic is the Classic still working (battery charging) when the data comms over serial port is no longer working?

I believe the charging is still working.  There isn't much of a load on the batteries but it appeared they were full when I went to reset everything.  I went through all the menus and one thing I did notice is before I reset the Classic 150 in the menu section that has MODE, TIME and SENSTVY ours was at:

MODE: 0
TIME: 0
SENSTVY: 00

and below it says ARC FAULT MODE NORMALLY = 1

After I reset it this same menu said:

MODE: 1
TIME: 4
SENSTVY: 10

So I'm not sure what that means... I couldn't quite find the section about it in the datasheet. 

I updated the new firmware so I guess I'll see how long it stays online.

[ClassicCrazy]

I am not around my Classic right now - but I think there was a setting for what kind of data comes out of the serial port so that might be what the mode is.  Can't remember where that is documented but remember reading it somewhere. 

Larry

[TeslasPigeons]

OK I found the relevant sections in the datasheet:

"... from low power arcing to devastating high power arcing, the Classic will detect and shut down with an audible and visible alert to announce that there is a problem in the PV side of the system.  When an arc is detected the Classic has to be manually cleared."

Mode:  Is assigned a 1 from factory default and it should stay that way unless instructed by MidNite Solar.

Time:  This sets the length of arc the Classic has to monitor before tripping the Arc fault detection.  This parameter is set to 4 from the factory.

Sensitivity:  This parameter determines how sensitive the Arc fault detector with 1 being the most sensitive and 15 the least.  This parameter is set to 10 from the factory. 


Now the real question is:  Is an arc actually happening randomly every 2 weeks or is the communication system failing and just messing up all other systems... 

[boB]

We have had a couple of customers that actually had arcs that were detected by the Classic.

If your Classic's arc fault is just too sensitive, crank up the sensitivity numbers all the way and reboot
the Classic for the new numbers to take effect.  (power off and on is one way to reset it)

Lower numbers are MORE sensitive and higher numbers for time and sensitivity are LESS sensitive
to arcs.  Higher numbers should give less tripping.

If it is not too sensitive and you ~might~ have an arc somewhere or some appliance that is causing it
to trip, try turning on and off appliances... Vacuum cleaner, drill, saw, etc. and see if you can make it trip.

Also you might try banging on or wiggling PV and/or battery cables just to make sure there is not a loose
connection there.

It can be a good tool to find bad connections if it is something like that causing the tripping.

Ground Fault detectors are also good for finding wiring problems.  Maybe even a better use than what they
are intended for in the first place !

boB