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Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: rogerius on January 26, 2021, 06:58:41 AM

Title: Need help with installation of second classic - follow me
Post by: rogerius on January 26, 2021, 06:58:41 AM
First of all Happy New Year.

I just installed the second classic 200 from a second array on a same 48V battery bank. I've got just one wbj and one bts. I installed everything based on instructions from manual by setup Follow Me to "ON", BTS to "Follow" in the slave unit and charge parameters the same in both units. Negatives from both units are going on the bus barr connected to the shunt (load side).  Blue lights are blinking short so I assume there is good communication between the units. Software version is the same on both units as well.
Mention that the master unit is charging properly, displaing the temp and SOC value. Unfortunatelly here are the results on the slave unit wbj menu:
- no temp displayet, just -NO WB-
- instead of SOC value  there are just dashes no numbers
- unit is all the time in resting state

Apreciate any suggestion.
Thank you.
Title: Re: Need help with installation of second classic - follow me
Post by: Vic on January 28, 2021, 12:28:21 PM
Quote from: rogerius on January 26, 2021, 06:58:41 AM
First of all Happy New Year.

I just installed the second classic 200 from a second array on a same 48V battery bank. I've got just one wbj and one bts. I installed everything based on instructions from manual by setup Follow Me to "ON", BTS to "Follow" in the slave unit and charge parameters the same in both units. Negatives from both units are going on the bus barr connected to the shunt (load side).  Blue lights are blinking short so I assume there is good communication between the units. Software version is the same on both units as well.
Mention that the master unit is charging properly, displaing the temp and SOC value. Unfortunatelly here are the results on the slave unit wbj menu:
- no temp displayet, just -NO WB-
- instead of SOC value  there are just dashes no numbers
- unit is all the time in resting state

Apreciate any suggestion.
Thank you.

Hi roger..,   Welcome to the Forum,

Regarding the "NO WB",   the WbJr needs its own setup,  as per the Wb Manual,  here:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/10-264-1_REV_F.pdf

When the Master Classic (CC) is charging,  and the Following CC is not,   what is the charge stage (Bulk, Absorb,  Float,  etc)?

If you set Mode to OFF,  on the CC that is charging,  does the Following CC charge?

I forget if the Temperature of the Following CC is displayed on its MNGP Temp screen,  or not.

The Classic Knowledge Base is a great collection of useful information on the setup and use of many of the functions built into the Classics,   and other useful hints:
http://www.midniteftp.com/support/kb/faq.php?cid=1

More later,    Vic
Title: Re: Need help with installation of second classic - follow me
Post by: boB on February 05, 2021, 11:03:37 PM

The Classic with the WB Jr. attached to it will be the only Classic to display any WB Jr. information.

That information does not go over the follow-me cable....   Only the charge status (Float, Absorb, EQ state) and battery temperature.

Title: Re: Need help with installation of second classic - follow me
Post by: therealiraqisandman on June 05, 2021, 12:36:08 PM
I have a related question.  If both the MNCC have an MNGP, will they both show production for their respective set of panels?  Or will there only be one that shows production?  Total Kwh, amps etc. 

I have the same setup as Rogerius, but in a 24V system.  One battery bank, two MN Classic 150s and Schneider 4024s for two separate sets of panels.  I have been running the first set for over two years.  Glorious!  I just added the second panels, CC and inverter for redundancy, reduced load on original setup and added solar angles.  Only been up one week at our off grid place in SW Texas.
Title: Re: Need help with installation of second classic - follow me
Post by: Vic on June 05, 2021, 04:51:24 PM
Hi ..sandman,   Welcome to the Forum.

Yes,  each Classic will show its own production  --  volts,  amps,   watts,  etc.

To be able to see and monitor total production,  Net Ah,  etc,  you will need the WhizBang Jr current monitoring accessory,  and a 500 Amp 50 mV Shunt.   These are not expensive accessories  --  somewhere around  $100 (US).

MidNite Shunt:
https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-shunt.html

WbJr:
https://www.solar-electric.com/midnite-solar-whiz-bang-jr-current-sense-module.html

WbJr Product info,  from the MN Solar site:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=519&productCatName=Charge Controllers - Classics&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=9&act=p

Just a representative example of the cost of these two widgets,  from a very reputable supplier (IMO).

More later,   Vic