A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:18:15 AM

Title: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:18:15 AM
Hi have a few questions, which i dont think the manual can help with, have a classic 150,


firstly, morning and evening the classic toggles beetween resting and bulk or resting and float causing a clicking that sounds like a relay, sometimes says pv shading but mainy just clicks. i may have just sorted this by turning pv shading off, however it still clicks just a bit slower not sure if i affected it or the suns just come up a few degrees. basically is this normal?

also yesterday evening, sundown, classic was resting, and all of a sudden all leds and fans came on then stopped, almost like the power had been cut and then reconnected, yet it hadnt.

one more when i first installed the classic every so often in the evening/night i would get a flash of yllow light on the left hand side of the display, now is that current limiting? why would it be current limitig at night?

thanks for any help and advice in advance
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 04:26:29 AM
oh and the fans on the classic although working on startup, ie when unit is turned off and on again, dont seem to run at all, is the classic not working hard enough, pcb temp is: 46.6 i assume that is celcius and that is the readout from the printed circit board what temp should the fans kick in at?
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: bee88man on June 14, 2017, 10:59:16 AM
You need to set the clock corect in the Classic. As you you describe, it has it's days and night mixed up.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: ClassicCrazy on June 14, 2017, 11:18:57 AM
What version of firmware do you have in your Classic ?
Also need more details of your system - panel configuration, battery type, Classic settings, etc.

Larry
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 12:41:07 PM
clock is correct

running 2x rec solar 255w pannels series
(this can be changed to 2 strings of 255w pannels depending on condition of second battery bank)
classic 150
4x trojan l16's at 12v
victron 2000w slimline inverter
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: Vic on June 14, 2017, 01:29:49 PM
Hi hedge..,

Thanks for the added info ...
But,  what IS the Firmware version that you are running for the Classic,  and MNGP ??

Also,  please check all connections on the DC side  --  battery interconnects,   torque on the breakers for the 12 V battery and the PV inputs.

Relay clicks are quite common on almost all MPPT CCs near sunrise and sunset.   The CC is trying to see if there is enough power available from the PVs to make more than about 15 watts of charge power,   if not,  the Classic will rest,   and try again later.   This mostly depends upon the Voc at the time.

Thanks,   Vic
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:41:16 PM
just trying to find the firmware details how do i make the graphics panel display it?, also running a wbjr.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:41:54 PM
is it: cl29912
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: Vic on June 14, 2017, 01:53:08 PM
Hi hedge..,  Thanks ...

OK,  that is the Serial Number of the Classic,   and does imply that it has fairly current Firmware.

If you push the left small,  round button on the MNGP about six times,  you should be able to read the Fw version of the Classic,  MNGP and Network.

You may not be using the Local Application via the Classic Ethernet port,  yet,  but the Fw version numbers should be visible there,  as well.

Please do check the torque and soundness of ALL connections on ALL DC connections  --  everything.

Later,  thanks,    Vic
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:59:03 PM
ok gotcha its 2079

yes i am using the midnite app but canot access the internet at the same time due to having a direct to pc connection, all nuts checked and tightened. ive done dc only for the last 10 years, just getting sorted with a posh system.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: ClassicCrazy on June 14, 2017, 02:36:32 PM
Quote from: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 01:59:03 PM
ok gotcha its 2079

yes i am using the midnite app but canot access the internet at the same time due to having a direct to pc connection, all nuts checked and tightened. ive done dc only for the last 10 years, just getting sorted with a posh system.

That 2079 firmware is a couple years old - it would be good to update to newest version.

Larry
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 14, 2017, 06:35:49 PM
ok so i am updating to new firmware, have downloaded the zip file extracted it all, computer im using had windows 8.1 i beleive, or 10 a little unsure,

when attempting to get the drivers installed, got an error message: the third party inf does not contain digital signiture infomation, now i then try this the other way through control panel, manage devices right click show it where to install the drivers from following the guides on midnite website, end up with the same error message

attatching the message

am i doing something wrong, any advice welcome.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: ClassicCrazy on June 14, 2017, 07:54:01 PM
Are you following these instructions ?

For windows 10

http://midniteftp.com/firmware/Firmware%20install%20with%20Windows%2010%20REVA%201-17.pdf

Link below is for windows 7 but has detailed instructions on how to install driver
Didn't think you need it for directions above for Windows 10 but anywhere look at this if above doesn't help
http://midniteftp.com/firmware/Firmware%20install%20with%20Windows%207%20REVB%201-17.pdf

Larry


Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: boB on June 14, 2017, 08:25:25 PM

The others have given some good information on the driver issue.

BTW, I just myself used the latest and greatest (from the website) Classic windows updater and it worked
really nice !

As for the fan not coming on, that temperature of 46 degrees is too low for them to come on yet.
The fans will come on somewhere in the mid 50 degree ranges as I remember.

Thanks !
boB
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: Resthome on June 15, 2017, 12:36:15 AM
What OS are you using?  As Larry said follow the instructions exactly step by step in the correct order. That driver does not have a signature file and the OS normally throws that error. Again see appropriate instructions.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: Westbranch on June 15, 2017, 12:05:34 PM
John, he has W 8.1 and I am wondering if it is in a SURFACE laptop/pad?
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: hedgecrawler on June 15, 2017, 02:11:43 PM
nah ok its windows 10 shows how much i know about computers, following the instructions for 10 get the same message, will try again tonight and keep you posted.
Title: Re: qustion from new classic owner
Post by: Resthome on June 15, 2017, 08:42:51 PM
Quote from: hedgecrawler on June 15, 2017, 02:11:43 PM
nah ok its windows 10 shows how much i know about computers, following the instructions for 10 get the same message, will try again tonight and keep you posted.

After you extracted the zipped files are you trying to execute the file Classic Programmer.exe ?? That is the file you want to run. I don't remember having to install a driver like we did in Win7 & 8.1. That was the whole issue with Win10 the driver from Win 7 would not work correctly. So MidNite came up with the Classic Programmer program and it should connect when you plug in the Classic USB cable toyour computer. Believe you power off your PV input and then power off the Classic. Then just turn the Classic back on and leave the PV input breaker off.