I was getting ready to do a FW update, the first one.... and I looked at the 2014 instruction file I got from Ryan. It says to load FW 1709..
Knowing that that first FW update on a KID is fussy, I think I should do V.1709 rather than the 1811 or higher
Does anyone have the address for that file?
Hi Wb,
The first Update on my Beta KID was NOT fussy. Just needed to get the Beta Bootloader from Ryan.
Have done only one KID UD, and it is running V. 1749, IIRC.
The UD process is just Drag and Drop the new FW file, as you may know.
I could try sending you this Bootloader file, but perhaps Mario or HC should comment on the proper procedure, for later FW Rev Updates ...
Vic
Thanks Vic.. I was puzzled a bit by the bootloader file as it was named a WIRESHARK Capture type. Does your copy say that?
I have used Wireshark on this laptop so the program opened up and gave me a message ''the file isn't a 'capture file' in a format Wireshark understands'' .... which confused me, a lot.
Wb, the Bootloader file that I have is a ' ... Ryan.out ' file.
Type ' OUT file '
FWIW, Vic
Vic, what is the date on yours? Mine is April 24 , 2014..
Wb, sorry for the delay ... serious Load Shedding here.
My Loader was Created July 18, 2014
It says it Opens with, Windows Shell Common.
What can I do for you ... will check back late this eve WC time. Regards Vic
Hi Vic, can you pm me, will send email so that we can exchange that boot file.... mine is obviously corrupted .
Interestingly I seemed to have a virus just after dinner that locked up my laptop...??? no power shedding here, batteries strong!
Wb, sent you a PM, with an invitation to PM your e-mail to me.
Will now PM you with my e-mail address ... Vic
Eric,
File and instruction sheet, sent. Good Luck, Vic
WB,
I have loaded several beta and "current" gold versions. All have been loaded and ran well. There were several bugs found and Mario was able to correct the ones I found.
You do need the bootloader updater if you have a beta that came without it. Mine came from Mario on Feb 13 2104. It is 29K.
Hope this helped.
Hi Wb,
Were you able to get the BootLoader from the e-mail?
Did it work for you?
Do you need anything from those here?
Thanks, Good Luck, Vic
Hi Vic, this morning I was all set up to attempt, fingers crossed, the FW update.
Did a last minute check and AARRGGG found that the version that Ryan had sent me early this morning, and the one you sent me and saved, had the same contents as the file I already had. It's something to do with the .OUT file type. ????
I am trying a few things but no luck so far...
I just deleted Wire Shark and looked at the new Ryan version and it did NOT open as a WS file this time!! OFF to the basement.. back in a bit.
- Save the "bootloader_updater_512.out" to your pc where it is easy to find CHECK
- download the Kid firmware file "MNKID_firmware1742.fup" and save it to your pc where it is easy to find CHECK
- turn on the battery power to the kid CHECK
- Connect your kid via USB to your pc CHECK
- Press Main Menu and scroll to the right to menu TECH CHECK
- Press down and select Firmware Update and press Enter
Pressing Down arrow does nothing, FW Update option does not exist..] ????
all that there is under TECH is 2 options about calibration and Factory Reset when you press ENTER......
Hi Wb,
Thanks for the update of your situation.
On the Beta KID here, there are three (at least) items in the Tech Menu. Pressing the Down arrow gets one to the Firmware Update item.
Does your Down arrow work at all. If the KID has not been in much/any use for some time, perhaps the buttons might need to be massaged a bit -- exercised, or something.
Knowing nothing about the file types used here, but seems to me that the file type does not matter at all, as long as the BootLoader can run the Firmware Update file correctly, that should be good enough ...
Good Luck!! Vic
Hi Vic, well I thought about your idea of sticking 'soft keys' and went down again and tried the down key in every area, not much happened till I got to Abs. V and just when I was expecting nada, the key adjusted the Abs. V on every pres.... so I am suspecting there is something amiss in the connection.... Did you get a New Device connection 'ding dong' from your laptop when you plugged in the USB cord?
Well Vic, I don't know if it was the several hundred taps on that down arrow or ?? but |I went thru the process again after dinner and VOILA, a there was now something showing under the TECH section. FW Update!
So I now have FW 1811 installed, it's even gathering 2W of after glow input.
Thanks for the assistance and files.
Sure wish I knew what that WireShark did to that file...???
,
Westbranch,
Excellent news -- Great Work!
Very glad that it all worked out. The KID IS a very well-designed and capable medium-sized CC, as you know. And, they just keep getting batter and better, with new functions from FirmWare Updates.
Have Fun, Vic
NOTE: This setup is on a no load battery bank right now, just the Kid connected...
Well, I think there is a setting that might need changed... This morning when there was ~ 20W, < 1 A, on a12V system a strange clicking noise could be heard from the basement... no problem I thought , it's just the relay clicking in the low light... Right?
Now I am not quite sure, when I got there I tripped the 63 A CB to the battery and the KID was fairly warm to hot to the touch... and kept clicking... I did make a video of it but it's too big for posting... will find a work - around this afternoon when back home.
The video picked up a high pitched squeal.... that starts 30 seconds before the clicking .... and frequency increases from the start till clicking starts.
Thoughts for Now?
Hi Westbranch,
What is the source of input power to the KID?
Does the KID have its own, separate PV array?
When there is the clicking noise from the KID, what is the Vin and Vbatt on the KID?
What Mode is being used? You might try the P & O, or O & P Mode, if there are clouds. Am using O & P here, most of the time ... am assuming that perhaps the KID uses the same MPP Tracking algorithm, as the Classic, which can Track a bit strangely with atmospheric smoke, or clouds, at times, when using Solar Mode.
The Inductor in the KID can also make a clicking noise (as well as the Relay).
FWIW, Thanks, Vic
Hi Vic; system is pretty simple 4 panels connected to Kid to 24 V Battery.
POWER: see sig line 4 series 140W PV =560W @ 48V nom.
Yes array is to Kid rightnow. Both a knife switch and battery selector switch are used to isolate Kid array from Classic. CL connection used in winter when input is low.
Mode is Solar
VBatt is 25.67V
PV is 25.7V
Oh and when I shut off the Batt the clicking continued until the PV was off..
Quote from: Westbranch on August 02, 2016, 01:56:29 PM
Hi Vic; system is pretty simple 4 panels connected to Kid to 24 V Battery.
POWER: see sig line 4 series 140W PV =560W @ 48V nom.
Yes array is to Kid rightnow. Both a knife switch and battery selector switch are used to isolate Kid array from Classic. CL connection used in winter when input is low.
Mode is Solar
VBatt is 25.67V
PV is 25.7V
Oh and when I shut off the Batt the clicking continued until the PV was off..
Did look at your Sig, before posting the reply, above, but did not seek the KID mentioned (yet).
Well that Vin is a real problem -- Vin = Vbatt, essentially.
So there must be a problem, perhaps with the FW Update, or ... something.
Why not try Rebooting the KID?
Personally would never switch a CC's battery connection before switching off the PV (or other RE input) input to OFF. And then, do the reverse on power-up. Battery breaker (switch) first ON, then PV in ON.
Assume that there is no reason to believe that there is any poor/loose connections in the PV wiring from powering the Classic, to powering the KID.
Have seen Classics drag Vin down to within about five volts of Vbatt on 48 V systems, but never seen Vin = Vbatt. This is a very difficult way to charge a battery!
FWIW, Vic
Yes it was early in a heavily overcast morning. No direct sun at the time.
I Did a VMM yesterday after I got 1811 FW loaded and did check to make sure all main settings were as desired.
I just did not want to leave the KID running, so it is OFF until I clarify just which one I have to fine tune. On the Classic I believe I had to raise the min V, that turns the CC on, that stopped the relay clicking... just have to read up on the KID settings. Just in so I'll post the video soon....
Hi Westbranch,
One other thought;
Has this KID been successfully used, before the recent FW Update?
If so, have there been any wiring changes, particularly in the PV input area?
Just to be clear, the KID MUST have the PV negative connected, ONLY, to the KID's PV input Negative terminal -- no other place for this cable.
And, just confirming, that the PV array that is connected to the KID is connected to NO other CC in any manner, right?
FWIW, Vic
Quote from: Vic on August 03, 2016, 07:04:51 PM
Has this KID been successfully used, before the recent FW Update?
If so, have there been any wiring changes, particularly in the PV input area?
Just to be clear, the KID MUST have the PV negative connected, ONLY, to the KID's PV input Negative terminal -- no other place for this cable.
And, just confirming, that the PV array that is connected to the KID is connected to NO other CC in any manner, right?
Hi Vic,
Yes it was working for the last week in this location. No weird clicking or ? that we were witness to. Did a nice job of charging the battery.
Updated in order to add a WBjr as soon as FW1820(?) is production, not Beta.
I only added the USB cable, but it is on the far left, Battery side of the unit.
Hmmm, might there be a bit of induction from that? It is still connected...
Yes, only one connection for PV + and PV-
I will double check that I have the wiring fully separated, regardless of which CC that array is connected to.
Westward Ho! ... Friday.
Hi Wb,
Any news on how the KID is charging that battery?
Thanks for any Update info, Vic
Hi Vic, we had visitors this AM till noon and we did not hear anything clicking as we had last week, BUT I just went down to see what had transpired after I turned on the PV this morning, in the low light period. the KID started up right away in BULK, so I waited for ~ 5 minutes , the clicking did not start as before at ~ 2 minutes, hence the additional wait time...
Result: Battery CB was tripped... darn I wanted to hear that noise again...
so I went hunting for the new setting location under TECH...
I changed the Anti click sensitivity, as per page 29, to 22 Volts AND
after a few more presses the Min Low Power 25W ie ~ 1.0+A
I think there is still a few sections to be written upon pg. 29!!
So I will monitor it as the sun sets over the next hr. and in the AM tomorrow
Quote from: Westbranch on August 07, 2016, 08:37:07 PM
... Result: Battery CB was tripped... darn I wanted to hear that noise again...
so I went hunting for the new setting location under TECH...
I changed the Anti click sensitivity, as per page 29, to 22 Volts AND
after a few more presses the Min Low Power 25W ie ~ 1.0+A ...
Hi Wb,
Thanks for the new info,
Your 560 W PV array might be able to supply about 9 A of DC current output to a 48 V battery. There is no way that this could or should be able to trip a 63 A breaker.
There certainly something quite wrong. The KID measures its current in the negative lead of the PV input. This is one main way that the KID protects itself. If the PV input negative lead happens to connect to the battery negative, instead of ONLY the PV negative input this current measuring ability of the KID is short-circuited.
I can offer no more, but please, please DO check the wiring of the PV negative cable -- it should ONLY be connected to the PV input negative terminal of the KID, and NO OTHER PLACE AT ALL.
Good Luck, please let us know AFTER completely checking the KID wiring in its entirety. Good luck, Vic
Hi Vic, ..... Urrr, Uhmmm...... It is a 24 V system..... so the settings should have it clicking for s short time before the PV is putting out the min needed volts to start charging shouldn't it?
Thinking this out right now,as the resting volts are at least 25.6 V I will set it to that so that it will not ( should not ?) spend much time in that never never land where there is noy enough power to run the KID as well as charge the battery.... Thoughts?
I just upped the min volts to the max it will allow 25.0 V so we shall see in the morning.
I left out the fact that I did double check the Neg leads and no cross connections found.
I took a small video of the KJD in NORMAL action as just as | started recording so did the clicking, ...... coincidence..
Magnificent lightning storm tonight, started at ~ 16:00, now 21:10... and about 1 inch of rain per hr!!!!
will attempt to post from Tab...
Hi Wb,
The 63 A breaker that has been tripping, assume that this is on the output of the KID, to the battery. It is not on the input, and/OR a GFCI breaker, is it?
Normal Relay clicking is in very low light conditions.
Dunno, thanks for the update, and Good Luck with the lightning. Vic
Hi Vic, yes regular 63A MN CB, no GFCI...
The clicking, almost Mose code like, I'm almost suspecting that it is sending a (coded) message ::)the CB
It went on for about 1.5 hrs tonight. My MX60 and Cl 150 did it a bit but no where near that long. I am hoping that the latest limits I set minimize it and the CB doesn't trip again.,
Tried the video but it is still 1.4 mb at lowest setting, for a single data cycle of the screen, and email and the forum reject it.
Ciao... till the morning.
No chnage..... double checked Anti-click setting and it is maxed out at 25.0V..
only one setting left but I don't know which way to go, the HighLight VOC % , how do you set it??
I had that problem a long time ago. Turns out I needed to calibrate the voltages. Then, it ran great.
Hope this helps
thanks Brian.
Hmm.... got me thinking...
I will check it again, I did make a 0.2 V adjustment .... may be the wrong way?
Update, just got a note from Mario and the KID may have to be whipped into shape back at the factory...
Mario said
You might need to get the hardware updated, since the original beta units had problems with the current measurement after being firmware updated[/i]
Are you going to be a KID light ?
I can lend ya a KID & bring yours back if needed .
VT
VT, I think Ryan came up with a good solution, reverse swap out,
ie send a new one first, return Beta after...
Mind you I shut it down yesterday, while we are in town for a few days... no loads on it at this time.
Also the firewood bug hit 3 days ago with this hot weather, dries out any retained moisture in old Pine Beetle trees in a flash!.. 2 more on the ground right now, just have to buck them up, then (hydraulically) split..Love that toy...
Quote from: Westbranch on August 17, 2016, 12:29:38 PM
VT, I think Ryan came up with a good solution, reverse swap out,
ie send a new one first, return Beta after...
Yeah, these folks "get" having a mission critical bit of gear down.
Many places would require a return, then repair it then ship it back. Eats up time you may not have.
Not on just the Beta test units, either!
I find that refreshing these days.
Tom
IT is definitely the way to build a FAITHFUL customer base...
eg I have a Solar-hesitant friend that I loaned my old MX60 to, to get him started ruining his first battery set :'( :'( , same old.... didn't check the electrolyte levels and left the bank sitting for 4 months ( :o :'(... ) that was with 2-12V panels of 4x140W ... now has all 4 up and a KID to handle the conversion and newer batteries... (still learning ::)... no sooner did we get him re-jigged and the power flowing, and he ran out and bought 2 x 230W and has ordered another KID.... :o egads, I've created a MONSTER! ::) Now he wants a virtual array!
UPDATE:
I sent an email to RYAN and he calls it WOODPECKER-ing as it clatters so fast...KIDs had this problem and it required the unit to return for a new board or 2???
Ryan sent me a replacement KID and I have had it in place, working away with low input for 2 days and no clattering Woodpecker in the basement so far.... 3 more days of testing .... then to town.
As usual GREAT SERVICE from the shop in Seattle! Oh all right, Arlington!!
PS, For me anywhere south of Bellingham is just one big mass of houses with a few trees interspersed... and a lot of highway too!...
Arlington WB !!!
Thats like saying WB is in Vancouver !!
The Arlington/Stanwood/SP /Darlington/area is NOT Seattle!!!