A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "KID" charge controller => Topic started by: Mario on April 23, 2014, 10:57:53 AM

Title: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Mario on April 23, 2014, 10:57:53 AM
Hello all Beta testers, here is the latest beta firmware please upload and let me know of any problems or concerns.

anyways here is whats new:

-Load Manual "ON" re-labeled LBD now also under SETUP
-EndAmps implemented..... Calibration Menu to select between Shunts
-Rebulk now implemented
-KWhrs & Ahrs now displayed on a Status Screen still need to make them log some how for daily
-scroll mode Status screen now implemented.... five minutes must elapse with no user input for it to show
-scroll mode is able to be defeat it see LCD menu.... MUST to go back and select the LCD power mode after Scroll Enable or Disable
-- removed access to Input Modes not implemented Yet
-- Added Charging limits to not go above the ratings of the unit.... under of above
-- Added LBD lower limit to 8.6V
-- added safety check when FET thermistor is open or shorted

------ This Rev Will Make you do A Factory Reset -----


Mario Rodriguez
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Westbranch on April 24, 2014, 05:21:34 PM
Hi Mario, I have a beta unit and Bootloader 512 from Ryan, but have not installed it yet.

I have just got my netbook back on its feet and want to install the latest firmware you have posted  here.

So first the bootloader install process, then do I have to install a previous FW version before this version (1730) will install?
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Mario on April 25, 2014, 11:53:46 AM
Westbranch,
All you have to do is update the Bootloader and then go straight to this Firmware Rev.

Mario
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Westbranch on April 25, 2014, 03:22:21 PM
perfect!
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Highflyer on April 25, 2014, 10:14:30 PM
Got it!!  I can't wait to play with it!!


Thanks.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Westbranch on April 26, 2014, 12:08:03 PM
Man, are the prices for the small Hydraulic crimpers at that place up in the stratosphere.  I got a slightly smaller on for ~ $70 incl shipping, the yellow ones shown go for ~ $120 Cdn.. in Canada.

It looks like an Anderson PP crimper would work as well, looking at the jaw shapes.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Bunkie314 on April 27, 2014, 05:57:17 PM
Mario,

Noted the following after installing and observing the new FW today.

Voltage displayed on bulk, absorb, float and watts output screen and input/battery screen do not match.  There is at least .2 V difference and any voltage readings above 14.3 Volts the on that screen skips even numbers. Voltage on the input/battery screen match calibrated screen in Tech.

End amps calibration is off or is there a preset time the amps must be under the number?  Is rebulk an amp setting or voltage setting?  Intended purpose?  Not knowing the appropriate number to program in I didn't get any results.

Load status screen states "Over Current!" with all load functions  turned off.  Also, what are the numbers that appear on this screen in front of the "On" meaning?  I get small + & - numbers (.1 to 2) at times and other times larger numbers (4 to 8) using the day light function.

There appears to be some fractional constant of the Tcomp used on the EQ feature.  Voltage does not raise to the value I expect, but does compensate some voltage.  Is there a different Tcomp used for EQ?  There is a factor off somewhere if it uses the same Tcomp factor as the absorb voltage.

Any future plan to include a toggle between C and F?

Could you address calibration of the input (solar in my case).  Should this be calibrated under load or just measure input with the kid turned off?  Voltages on the Input screen don't match measured input unless it is calibrated with a load on the solar panel.

Install of the new FW was seamless.  It went through a reset after installation, but I did a factory reset anyhow.




Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on April 27, 2014, 11:15:04 PM
Hi Mario,

  I have a Kid on rout (can't wait LOL)  I want to make sure that it has the latest film ware loaded before I take it out to the trailer and install it, should I be installing the latest Beta filmware? (I'm not a beta tester, just missed out on that) or is that just for betta testers?

Thanx, Chris
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Halfcrazy on April 28, 2014, 09:00:00 AM
Chris
Yes the firmware is the same so I would go with the Beta firmware for sure

Ryan
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on April 28, 2014, 09:44:07 AM
Perfecto  ;D

Thanx
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: ClassicCrazy on May 02, 2014, 09:00:46 AM
I had that over current message too after I did the firmware update last weekend. I was messing around with settings seeing if I could get it to go away but not sure now if I succeeded. I can check again this weekend.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Bunkie314 on May 02, 2014, 01:51:43 PM
Ahr do not seem to be displayed correctly.  Unless you are calculating and dividing by 10. Seems to be a decimal place off as near as I can tell.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 02, 2014, 08:11:12 PM
  Got my kid all up and running yesterday

  I too had the overload warning and the .2 volt difference readings between the 2 screens.
Glad it's not just me....thought I might have messed something up on the install  ;D
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 02, 2014, 09:42:57 PM
  Ok.....so this has got me to thinking......is the .2 volt difference a temp adjusted reading?
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Halfcrazy on May 03, 2014, 10:22:40 AM
No I believe the 0.2v difference is a Mario bug he introduced. We should have new Beta code with added features Monday or so.

Ryan
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Bunkie314 on May 03, 2014, 01:21:20 PM
Just so its out there, I like the new features. Especially the scrolling screen and Ahr count.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Highflyer on May 11, 2014, 10:53:53 PM
Which Monday?   I can't wait to get it.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 11, 2014, 11:29:32 PM
Quote from: Highflyer on May 11, 2014, 10:53:53 PM
Which Monday?   I can't wait to get it.

  I'm hoping tomorrow, so I can do the update this weekend  ;)
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Westbranch on May 12, 2014, 12:19:52 AM
Chris, you missed the "or so" qualifier.. ::) probably Victoria Day as it is not a US Holiday... ???
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 12, 2014, 12:44:52 AM
Quote from: Westbranch on May 12, 2014, 12:19:52 AM
Chris, you missed the "or so" qualifier.. ::) probably Victoria Day as it is not a US Holiday... ???

  That's exactly what I was thinking.....it'll probably come out after the long week end LOL
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Bunkie314 on May 12, 2014, 05:21:13 PM
Likely not important, but just in case......

During "Float MPPT" the "T" shows up in the kWh Kid Ahr display. Displays AhrT and then fades in or out with MPPT. I kept cleaning my glasses and started thinking about seeing an eye doctor for a while.
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 20, 2014, 11:31:51 PM
   Just curios....will the LED's on the kid be active with the upcoming update?
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: Mario on May 21, 2014, 02:13:30 PM
LED are active (limited functionality) in the current release go to Menu Back->MISC-> LED and press Enter to change the LED mode

Better functionality will come in coming Firmware updates

Mario
Title: Re: Beta Kid Firmware 1730 04-23-14
Post by: chris on May 25, 2014, 05:21:43 PM
Quote from: Mario on May 21, 2014, 02:13:30 PM
LED are active (limited functionality) in the current release go to Menu Back->MISC-> LED and press Enter to change the LED mode

Better functionality will come in coming Firmware updates

Mario

  LOL....thanx, when they went working I assumed they weren't in the code yet.

LED's work just fine now that they have been turned on  ;)