A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: Riverwind on August 23, 2013, 08:16:31 PM

Title: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: Riverwind on August 23, 2013, 08:16:31 PM
Aside from the MNGP is there any difference between a Classic and a Classic Lite? Can I transform one into the other with the panel change?
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: Rybren on August 23, 2013, 08:20:23 PM
I believe that the Classic has Arc Fault detection but the Lite doesn't.
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: mahendra on August 23, 2013, 08:59:22 PM
true the classic has arc fault and the classic lite do not.other than that i think with an mngp a lite is like a regular classic
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: TomW on August 23, 2013, 09:00:20 PM
Their products page on both units:

Lite:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=331&productCatName=Charge%20Controllers%20for%20Solar,%20Wind,%20Hydro&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=5&act=p (http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=331&productCatName=Charge%20Controllers%20for%20Solar,%20Wind,%20Hydro&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=5&act=p)

Standard:

http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=256&productCatName=Charge%20Controllers%20for%20Solar,%20Wind,%20Hydro&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=1&act=p (http://www.midnitesolar.com/productPhoto.php?product_ID=256&productCatName=Charge%20Controllers%20for%20Solar,%20Wind,%20Hydro&productCat_ID=21&sortOrder=1&act=p)

I see the Built in DC-GFP and Arc Fault Detector mentioned on the standard but not the lite?

Maybe boB or Ryan will chime in for sure on this.

Tom
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: mahendra on August 23, 2013, 09:03:00 PM
i have both a lite and classic ,the lite have gfci
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 23, 2013, 09:37:01 PM
Yes except for the obvious display difference the Lite lacks Arc Fault. Other than that it is identical.

Ryan
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: zoneblue on August 24, 2013, 07:40:13 PM
One thing to bear in mind, is that the local app software does not 'feature for feature' replace the MNGP. If you need advanced configuration, then i suggest you need the MNGP, at least  for a lone lite. If you have at least one classic with a MNGP, then going lite with the balance is fine.
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: mahendra on August 24, 2013, 07:49:49 PM
true very true ,and yes the local does not replace the mngp,but fortunately one mngp is good once you have the classics networked ,if not i normally just swap them when ever need. nice feature form midnite ,that's why i use their cc.
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 25, 2013, 07:15:24 AM
Quote from: zoneblue on August 24, 2013, 07:40:13 PM
One thing to bear in mind, is that the local app software does not 'feature for feature' replace the MNGP. If you need advanced configuration, then i suggest you need the MNGP, at least  for a lone lite. If you have at least one classic with a MNGP, then going lite with the balance is fine.

ZonBlue
Just curious as to what the Local App wont do that the MNGP will? I can think of very few things actually and if we missed a few I bet we can fix that.

Ryan
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: mahendra on August 25, 2013, 04:07:42 PM
i hope midnite do fix them ryan because i considered that one of the features when i was buying charge controllers.
Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: zoneblue on August 25, 2013, 04:28:32 PM
Hi Ryan,

Not possessing a MNGP, i couldnt say exactly.  What i do know from my short experience  is that you cant currently:

- set the time on a lite
- use varimax on a lite.
- VMM a lite.

On the latter matter i gather the latest beta firmware has a work around:


8-19-2013
Classic app. Version 1549,  Networking Version 1547, MNGP Version 1552
Added hardware method of VMM initialization by jumpers.  Boot and Xtra
jumpers on (after booting) will re-initialize Main Classic parameters
        similar to VMM Vulcan Mind Meld from MNGP.  Mainly for Classic Lites.
        Network times out at 5 minutes instead of 30 seconds over TCP/IP
Various networking (timing) changes for My Midnite connections.

Added modbus phone jack routing options for Follow-Me and SMA in COMM
sub-menu in MISC.


Could you explain the exact procedure for doing that?

Cheers

Title: Re: Classic to Classic Lite & vice versa
Post by: TomW on August 25, 2013, 05:40:47 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on August 25, 2013, 07:15:24 AM

ZonBlue
Just curious as to what the Local App wont do that the MNGP will? I can think of very few things actually and if we missed a few I bet we can fix that.

Ryan

Setting the time seems only doable with the MNGP, since you asked.

The one thing I can think of.

Tom