Hi,
I began to receive red screens in App, and a Defcon 4 warning error in FET driver.
That means we are in a "war situation" ;D
Note: The forum is really slow and I must to reload the page some times before I can reach a good one. :'(
Quote from: Pac0 on October 26, 2013, 07:07:22 AM
Hi,
I began to receive red screens in App, and a Defcon 4 warning error in FET driver.
That means we are in a "war situation" ;D
Note: The forum is really slow and I must to reload the page some times before I can reach a good one. :'(
Curious. Never heard of that one before?
I wonder if it is something with your computer?
The forum is working properly for me which makes me wonder if there is something going on locally on your computer.
Tom
You may need to do a cleanup of cookies, spyware, viruses, etc, and a boot time virus scan.
Defcon4? is boB loading telling us something we do not know about? The ZZZZZZZZZZZZombies aren't supposed to show up for a few days yet...
Well, I'm using Firefox and only have this problem here, with the laptop and the PC, with different OS. I have disabled cookies, could be this the problem? :-[
As for the Defcon 4 warning... I have a screenshot of the red window, but the warning don't appears in it.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kQ_r_vXt4Hw/Umv4ISpVwFI/AAAAAAAAAA4/fv0d663So0U/s800/Classic_Defcon_4.png)
Hi Pac0,
That Defcon 4 is a dire warning.
So, in preparation for a visit from boB or Ryan, could you tell us more about your system (your Vin looks a bit HIGH).
Where are you located. What has been the over night low temperature?
What are your PV module specs, and how much PV total, and what is the string Vmp & Voc? Have you run those specs and configuration data through the MidNite String calculator?
And what is your battery voltage? You know what are all of the specs for the system?
EDIT: In the interim, why not shut off the PV In, and turn off the Battery breaker, wait a few minutes, and turn of the battery breaker and the PV in. This should reset the Classic, and if you have saved any custom settings then they should be intact. It is possible that the Defcon flag was set in error (not very likely), and this could allow the Classic to begin anew. FWIW (end edit).
This info could be placed in a Signature line, in the future, and help in replying to questions you might have. Thanks, Vic
This may be a false warning. Unless maybe it has stopped charging altogether ?
Is the Classic still charging batteries ? What type of Classic is it ?
This should really be called OCP for Over Current Protection. It usually happens from
time to time on Classic 250s but is hardly ever seen on 150s or 200s unless there is
a problem. And even then, it can be from large loads or a semi-short on the battery side
of the controller. Large loads meaning, like a huge inverter being turned on where it
charges its input capacitors.
boB
Quote from: Vic on October 26, 2013, 01:29:58 PM
Hi Pac0,
That Defcon 4 is a dire warning.
So, in preparation for a visit from boB or Ryan, could you tell us more about your system (your Vin looks a bit HIGH).
Where are you located. What has been the over night low temperature?
I'm near Barcelona in the Montseny Mountains (650mts)
Temp this days 18-22ºC
What are your PV module specs, and how much PV total, and what is the string Vmp & Voc? Have you run those specs and configuration data through the MidNite String calculator?
I have 12 modules 190Wp / 72cel. in a series of 3. Total 4 series.
Vmp -> 34,6
VoC -> 44,6
Yes I'd used the Midnite Calculator
And what is your battery voltage? You know what are all of the specs for the system?
Battery voltage 24V
I think that I know all a need to know.
EDIT: In the interim, why not shut off the PV In, and turn off the Battery breaker, wait a few minutes, and turn of the battery breaker and the PV in. This should reset the Classic, and if you have saved any custom settings then they should be intact. It is possible that the Defcon flag was set in error (not very likely), and this could allow the Classic to begin anew. FWIW (end edit).
I tried to reset in this way (is the only way), The defcon warning doesn't appear any more only the red screen.
This info could be placed in a Signature line, in the future, and help in replying to questions you might have. Thanks, Vic
Well the history about this Classic unity is some special and irregular. And I must to explain it in order to have all the data.
Quote from: boB on October 26, 2013, 05:12:25 PM
This may be a false warning. Unless maybe it has stopped charging altogether ?
Is the Classic still charging batteries ? What type of Classic is it ?
Yes and is a Classic 150 Lite.
This should really be called OCP for Over Current Protection. It usually happens from
time to time on Classic 250s but is hardly ever seen on 150s or 200s unless there is
a problem. And even then, it can be from large loads or a semi-short on the battery side
of the controller. Large loads meaning, like a huge inverter being turned on where it
charges its input capacitors.
-Bateries are 256Ah /C10 and I have test all the cells and connections.
-Ummm the maximum load could have peaks of 2500Wh, but only in sun hours. This peak is because freezer peak motor or washing machine.
I've never seen more of 15A en PV in. And in the battery side the máximum was 70A. far than the 90A.
The modules have an inclination of 35º, and in this month the maximun peak of power is 1500-1600W
boB
The problem could be something in the electronic. This is not a "free opinion", is because I have another Classic and it is running well in the some conditions.
I said before that this Classic has an history of strange behavior. First of all, in august, it began to fall in a power loop from maximum to near 0. I'd reported this problem in the forum, but after one reset, the Classic srooped working. I contacted the Service and I sent it to them.
Well the history here becomes a nightmare, because in september the spanish company that have the Classic "shut's down" without repair it. Thanks to the efforts of the person at the website that I bought the Classic, finally they send back to me the Classic, together with a box with a power part. (And unfortunately they don't send me the blue cable. The one that connects the MNLP and the plate in the Classic). This power part was apparently and according to the service the damaged part. I supposed this was a new part and I proceed to change it.
In the second day of operation I received the mentioned warning. At this moment the Classic reached the 1400W of max power. Then I observe that a similar behavior I related before, began again, (The dead loop). Therefore I disconnected the Classic and since this day I have the second working without problem.
I doubt that the problem it's something in the installation, because I'm sure that complies "by below" the specifications of the Classic 150. The repeated loop problem with the new power plate part, points to something wrong in the other plate.
The last thing that I want to point out is that the power part has a "Classic 150" label not "Lite 150".
Well this is the whole history of this Classic.
I forgot to tell you that I acquired the second classic to separate the PV in two parts. If I get the Classic work, this will be the next step. So I may keep the Classic's far below the maximum power...
Hi Pac0,
Thanks for the replies. In the screen shot, the input voltage reads 122 V.
What Classic model do you have? Am interested in the voltage rating of that Classic.
What is the part number of the PV Modules that you are using, and how many of those per string?
What is the lowest temperature that the site where this system is located?
Thanks, Vic
Pac0
What is the serial# of the classic? And is it not charging as much as it should if at all?
Ryan
Quote from: Vic on October 28, 2013, 11:02:35 AM
Hi Pac0,
Thanks for the replies. In the screen shot, the input voltage reads 122 V.
This was the reading of the Classic at this failure moment. Normally it works at 90-100V.
I've measured the voltage with the tester and never ups to 120V.
What Classic model do you have? Am interested in the voltage rating of that Classic.
A Classic 150 Lite
What is the part number of the PV Modules that you are using, and how many of those per string?
I don't have this data. I bought them in different stages of the whole installation and are similars in specs but not the same manufacturer.
What is the lowest temperature that the site where this system is located?
In winter we can reach the -10ºC. But this happens only two years ago. -7ºC could be a good temp.
I did the calculations with the Midnite Form and I put in it -10ºC. I'd calculated the power wit 12x195. Because the first 4 modules were 195Wp. But the real measures were below than the proposed by the manufacturer. I've never seen the 2300W in the Lite. I have reach for a few seconds 2000W in the summer. 1800W was the peak of the best days. Now I reach to 1500W peak.
Thanks, Vic
Quote from: Halfcrazy on October 28, 2013, 11:34:50 AM
Pac0
What is the serial# of the classic? And is it not charging as much as it should if at all?
Ryan
Quote from: Halfcrazy on October 28, 2013, 11:34:50 AM
Pac0
What is the serial# of the classic? And is it not charging as much as it should if at all?
Ryan
I'm not sure if you are asking if the Classic is charging or not. The "wrong Classic" (I have two), falls into a loop and this behavior produces a significant performance loss. Even with the new plate mounting in it.
-The serial is CL06170-
OK, Thanks Pac0,
Ryan is the guy to pay attention to.
I had wondered if the Classic had been damaged by very high input voltage, perhaps due to cold weather.
Thanks, Good Luck, Vic
This is the doc of the sizing tool:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xuUFgCehq9s/Um6myr3BedI/AAAAAAAAABU/LH6hzfdLKf0/s800/Midnite_form.JPG)
Pac0
So these 2 classics are on separate PV arrays and everything right? Common battery but separate arrays? I think it may be time to get ahold of Mat and schedule a trip to MidNite for that one. I would email or call Mat at Midnite for that. mat@midnitesolar.com
Ryan
Thanks Pac0 for showing the MidNite String Calculator output.
That output data shows that the Classic is just barely below its absolute maximum power output rating by 13 watts.
As I read your posts, you got the second Classic 150 so you could divide the PV array into two equal arrays, BUT, because of the issue with one of the Classics, you are still running this entire array on a single Classic.
When I asked MidNite about running a single Classic 150 at about full output on a 48 V system, was encouraged to divide the array to divide the stress between the two CCs. So, IMHO, it is a very good idea to not run any CC at or very, very near its MAXimum.
Personally, I wonder about reducing the output current setting on this single Classic until you get the issue with the other one gets resolved. Perhaps setting it to 60 - 65 Amps would help SOME, although the reduction in current from the array, when it has maximum sun will raise the Vin somewhat, which will reduce efficiency a bit ... Just my thinking out loud. Good Luck, Vic
Ryan Thank You, I will contact Mat... (for the other question see below)
Vic
I agree with your comments. The initial idea was this, two separate arrays, but when the Classic failed the first time I just had installed 3x3 = 1700Wp running. More below the maximum specs. Because the failure and the impossibility of have installed two independent sections of 1140Wp (in the future up to 1700Wp) I tried to add a fourth string with the new MidNite, until the first will return from the service. The problem that I have explained before, has put me back to the begining again.
Thank you all for your time