Finally got around to changing my son's outback reg for his classic lite.
Went to start it up.
And oops no visual display!
Wish I had known about that before I parted with the cash for the unit.
Could not get the front cover off to look at toothpick settings.
Came home and pulled a front cover off my 2nd classic with the display face and went back over to the other property.
15 mins later had the cover on and the reg setup and working like a charm.
What does a display lcd front cost?
Just me but the front of the lite ummmmmmmmmmmmm, sucks!
Russ you supersize me :o , I would have thought you would now what you were getting ::)
You can see the MNGP here http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=270&productCatName=Charge%20Controllers%20-%20Classics&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=12&act=pc
I do have a lite and the cover over the dip switches is tight but will come off with care and patience :D JMHO
Walt
Haha lite has no display
Why not bought a Classig with MNGP here in the 'garage sale'? Much cheaper then a lite in stores
You can do most settings by the switches. Remove cover, take a flat screwdriver if its tight fit
Or connect your laptop via lan to it, install adope :P air and the midnite app and do all settings in detail
The app is not perfect and you can get mad with it. But it does its job.
I bought the cover home and eventually got the plastic front off with 2 screwdrivers.
Have got the push switches set to what we require.
But it still sucks for the money that was paid as there is no means to check on what is happening.
Apps and laptop will not cut it as the boy does not use these as he has a brain injury.
I will always caution people not to buy a lite and be 100% certain what they are being offered is what they want!
Even the old plasmatronics regs we got rid of have a far better lcd display.
Sorry I am still steaming after yesterday!
Hi Russ,
Too bad that you are not that happy with the Lite, but, that is what the Lite IS -- a Standard Classic WITHOUT the MNGP LCD/control panel, and also without Arc Fault detection.
Here is a Comparison Chart:
http://www.midnitesolar.com/pdfs/Classic-Lite-SL-Chart.pdf
The Lite can make a lot of sense in systems wit two or more Classics, as the MNGP can be used to monitor and set each Classic on the system.
Have grown up with Classics from about 5.5 years ago, so have watched the evolution of the Classic.
FWIW, Vic
Quote from: russ_drinkwater on June 05, 2016, 04:24:51 PM
I bought the cover home and eventually got the plastic front off with 2 screwdrivers.
Have got the push switches set to what we require.
But it still sucks for the money that was paid as there is no means to check on what is happening.
Apps and laptop will not cut it as the boy does not use these as he has a brain injury.
I will always caution people not to buy a lite and be 100% certain what they are being offered is what they want!
Even the old plasmatronics regs we got rid of have a far better lcd display.
Sorry I am still steaming after yesterday!
Russ, I also bought a lite as my first classic being a cheap skate at the time and not familiar with what i needed! I am happy with the lite but probably wouldn't be if that was the point I was finished with a solar set up or system. I'm just suggesting that you not be sore but realize were you may have gone wrong and learn by it. From what I'm seeing you can set your son up with a classic that he can use and keep as you have a spare if my memory is correct, if that's not enough sanctification let me know and we may work something out!
Walt
Come on ... be fair!
You can not blame Midnite for your failure.
You get what you have ordered.
You also order your new car without reading about it?
And if you forget to order with an AC, its the fault of the car manufacturer?
There are more then only the Classic lite on the market and the Classic exists in different types. You can not project your accident to the manufacturer or the forum.
Blame the seller or your choice, not midnite or the forum.
So why don't you contact the seller and ask for the MNGP or change the Classic?
You can't tell us, that the Classic is not woth its money?!
Just there is nothing on the market that "shines like gold and is gold" - but with a long distance to other devices on the market, you bought the right charger! It is worth every single cent!
When i bought my first Classic, it was also a "lite"
Why? I have a dealer that was very good advicing to me and I really did not need the display and so I safed a lot of money.
I would guess, most Classic are installed in a hidden place and maintained remotely.
Now I have a 2nd Classic of a good deal and it is with the MNGP.
The MNGP is really a nice thing, usefull for a quick view and check. But furthermore I work with the app.
And how often do you have to configure things? Thats done once.
I apologize for my question, as I can't imagine about your son's problem.
But a MNGP would be no problem for him?
When I was about to order a second Classic I was considering the Lite, then I found that on Ebay from USA sellers the difference was less then $50. I was just about to order a standard classic 150 then I spotted the refurbished classics in the Midnite garage sale for even less with 5 year warranty, unfortunately they seem to have all sold now.
The lite will do they same job, now I have mine set up on my network I rarely look at them physically but use the software instead.
The big problem with the Lite is it does not keep the clock setting when it is powered off. The Midnite comparison chart does not call that lacking feature out and it should. The MNGP has the battery to sustain the clock in the MNGP without Classic power and syncs it's clock with the Classic clock
I see NO wrong , But poor Russ Misjudged or !!!! , Lights a in my mind are used in Follow me or real cheep want-a-bees , squat else. Russ READ DEEP . I have 5 lights in follow me , one master & now they will ALL have filtered clean forced air for cooling due to I work with Sparks,dust ,chems ,flying bug's etc & .. !
I figured out a clean forced or positive air for clean cooling .
VT
Quote from: Resthome on June 05, 2016, 10:34:35 PM
The big problem with the Lite is it does not keep the clock setting when it is powered off. The Midnite comparison chart does not call that lacking feature out and it should. The MNGP has the battery to sustain the clock in the MNGP without Classic power and syncs it's clock with the Classic clock
True, but you only have to shutdown it all for maintenance, that happens not to often.
And I had the same experience again and again, but I am angry for myself about this not to check and set the clock immediately via the app after the power cycle
True, it would be better, if it has a RTC. Let the system be installed remote and "something happens" then your stored datas are corrupt.
Quote from: binkino on June 06, 2016, 06:33:31 AM
Quote from: Resthome on June 05, 2016, 10:34:35 PM
The big problem with the Lite is it does not keep the clock setting when it is powered off. The Midnite comparison chart does not call that lacking feature out and it should. The MNGP has the battery to sustain the clock in the MNGP without Classic power and syncs it's clock with the Classic clock
True, but you only have to shutdown it all for maintenance, that happens not to often.
And I had the same experience again and again, but I am angry for myself about this not to check and set the clock immediately via the app after the power cycle
True, it would be better, if it has a RTC. Let the system be installed remote and "something happens" then your stored datas are corrupt.
My point was that it is not called out in the comparison charts and it should be.
Quote from: Resthome on June 06, 2016, 09:01:50 AM
My point was that it is not called out in the comparison charts and it should be.
sure they know now about this and correct it
I ordered a classic 150 and not a lite! I paid for a standard 150 and not a lite!
The cost of returning the item to the states is crazy and I had it here for 3 months before I opened the box!
It is not midnites fault and it is not my fault!
The fault lies with the scumbag on ebay that sent me the lite instead of the classic 150.
I have taken the front off my 2nd 150 and put it on my son's lite. So I have a 150 with a lite front now.
That is the problem with buying gear from overseas. If you have problems it is a long to get it corrected and can cost more than the item. :(
Russ you might get what you paid for that Classic or close to it if advertise it here in Australia as they are so much more money to buy locally as you know. At least then you could get what you really want. If the Ebay seller is half decent they should help out with fixing up the situation too.
Aha ... sound a bit different to your first post.
And - sorry - it is your fault.
Why not checking received parcel? Also for damages it is importand.
Waiting 3 month ... and you wonder now and blame midnite
Now there us a ebay seller ... he is the one you have to contact and clear it with him.
What did you expect here in the forum?
That everyone writes "yeah kidnize sucks the all ripped us of, and all our diacussions here are just theatre"?
No more queations. Not serious.
I have have only been touched a few times with ebay over the years, but it is always on the bigger ticket items. The new gst on overseas items under $1000 also will add pain. I am running out of time and cash, lol.
I had thought of trying to sell the reg and get another.
As I said to Bob I do not blame midnite.
But that being said I can not understand why they would put such a ummmmm uninspirational front on a high quality reg all other things aside. To me it does not make sense.
Yes I should have opened the box, but I am one person trying to do the work of 4 and I have to prioritize things and so it go missed until I needed it. ::)