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Charge Controllers and Clippers => The "Classic" charge controller => Topic started by: svencool on August 10, 2015, 08:25:08 PM

Title: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 10, 2015, 08:25:08 PM
While updating firmware 2050 all went well and I got the Classic successfully updated then the next step was to update the MNGP and everything looked like it was starting ok com8 opened. uploading.. 0% done. Failed: Classic is not responding.

Anyone have any idea's I tired a couple time same deal. The note said to do both so not sure where to go or what to do now :( Any help would be great...

Mike (Ohio)
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: BobWhite on August 10, 2015, 08:58:50 PM
just wondering why update? wasn't it working as you would expect? I like to keep all my CC as I receive them unless there is a concern. maybe a factory restore but im not the to make that the answerer.

Walt (Mass)
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: mike90045 on August 10, 2015, 09:55:33 PM
Quote from: BobWhite on August 10, 2015, 08:58:50 PM
just wondering why update? ....

An update was posted, with a pile of bug fixes.  unless it has a warning " do not use this update unless you have only this problem ______ "  I'm generally going to update about a week after the release.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 10, 2015, 10:08:26 PM
Well I am having a problem and talked with Dan the guy I purchased it from and it was suggested maybe to update software. At night time my IN voltage was flickering between 0.07 and 0.08 I had a few guys on other forums that said it should read, Normally when the Classic is Resting  --  NO PV input power,  Vin shows 1/2 - 2/3 of battery voltage at that time. That .07 wasn't normal and it being a brand new unit I just want it working right.....

Mike
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 10, 2015, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: svencool on August 10, 2015, 08:25:08 PM
While updating firmware 2050 all went well and I got the Classic successfully updated then the next step was to update the MNGP and everything looked like it was starting ok com8 opened. uploading.. 0% done. Failed: Classic is not responding.

Anyone have any idea's I tired a couple time same deal. The note said to do both so not sure where to go or what to do now :( Any help would be great...

Mike (Ohio)
It depends on what OS you are using. Win 7 had issues off and on.  Win 8.1 was great for me. Win10 with this firmware I had issues it took two tries to do the MNGP which I did first. I could not get the Classic to respond at all.  Finally removed the Midnite Driver and used  the MS serial USB drive and it worked. Don't know it it would be work again.  Midnite said there were problem with some long USB cables. But I could never verify that with the long one I had. I did use the short one when I tried with Win10 and it made no difference.

Ryan. Is the Midnite serial USB Driver fully compatible with Win 10?
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: dbcollen on August 10, 2015, 11:46:05 PM
It WAS working right, the solar panels you have are putting a load on the charge controller and pulling the volts down.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 10, 2015, 11:54:22 PM
Yeah there is something strange with his panel. He need to check them out. Firmware will not help IMHO.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 11, 2015, 05:16:01 AM
Quote from: Resthome on August 10, 2015, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: svencool on August 10, 2015, 08:25:08 PM
While updating firmware 2050 all went well and I got the Classic successfully updated then the next step was to update the MNGP and everything looked like it was starting ok com8 opened. uploading.. 0% done. Failed: Classic is not responding.

Anyone have any idea's I tired a couple time same deal. The note said to do both so not sure where to go or what to do now :( Any help would be great...

Mike (Ohio)
It depends on what OS you are using.

Well my older laptop has Vista On it is what I was using. Everything seemed ok till updating the MNGP portion of it...Hummmm

Mike
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Vic on August 11, 2015, 11:00:33 AM
Hi Mike,

Agree with others  --  it seems that there is something about your PV modules that is dragging down the Resting PV input voltage.   As Ryan (Halfcrazy)  noted,  he feels that this is probably not an important issue (at least with the information that is available now).

One stupid comment for you,  Mike;

When you were Updating the MNGP,  make certain that its cable is plugged into the correct jack on the Classic  --  Remote.

It is easy to set aside the Classic front panel while updating,  forgetting that the new MNGP Firmware must go into the MNGP during the Update process  (it is NOT buffered in the Classic until the MNGP is connected again).

FWIW,   Good Luck,  Vic
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 11, 2015, 01:28:48 PM
Yes do make sure the MNGP is plugged into the Top port. I have tried on a couple occasions to install MNGP firmware into an MNGP that was laying on the bench  ::)

As for the PV volts if unhooking the PV+ caused the voltage on the MNGP to rise than the issue is the modules not the Classic.

I am not sure of this updater is compatible with windows 10. I have been putting off updating to 10. Guess I better try it sooner than later

Ryan
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 11, 2015, 08:09:26 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on August 11, 2015, 01:28:48 PM
Yes do make sure the MNGP is plugged into the Top port. I have tried on a couple occasions to install MNGP firmware into an MNGP that was laying on the bench  ::)

As for the PV volts if unhooking the PV+ caused the voltage on the MNGP to rise than the issue is the modules not the Classic.

I am not sure of this updater is compatible with windows 10. I have been putting off updating to 10. Guess I better try it sooner than later

Ryan

Actual OT but if you are updating from Win 8.1 it seems like a smooth update with all Apps working. However when looking at the serial USB driver Midnite uses the Events show some kind of error about it not finishing the install? It shows up in the Device Manager and Says it is working. And it did work updating the MNGP however i could not get it to update the Classic and finally removed it and the default MS serial USB driver loaded set it to COM8 and it loaded the Classic.  So I don't know what to think. Maybe the MS serial USB drive will work for both.

Another piece of information but only 6 days worth of using the Local App with Win10 i had a lot less disconnects. I think i saw 1 or 2 in 6 days running it from sun up to sun down. I could force a disconnect only by exporting Offline data and leaving it sit on that screen for over 10 minutes. 
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 11, 2015, 11:02:06 PM
Well I thought I would try updating the MNGP again, With power off to classic I will click update MNGP and the 2 boxes will open then I turn on the power and I get Com8 opened. Uploading.. 0% done. Failed: Classic is not responding.

Then I will turn on the classic and then hit the update MNGP and it says COM8 opened. Uploading.. 0% done Upload Failed. Check cable and try again.
I talked to Jim Paish at Tech support and he suggested I try both these ways.

Using windows Vista Any ideas?

Mike
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 12, 2015, 05:41:11 AM
Mike
What I find generally speaking is if I count to 4, So the second black box comes up and says to apply power etc, I count 1,2,3,4 then flip my breaker on.

I also find a slow flip of the breaker (not really slow) assuming a fast snap causes a bounce and the power isn't clean. Basically you need a nice clean power connection.

I have had a couple that are stubborn and I repeat this process a few times. Also I have seen the cable be the issue as well. The MNGP is a little further away from the PC I guess.

So in closing I would try counting to 4 a few times if no go I would dig through your cable draw and find a USB cable with the same ends and try that
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 12, 2015, 02:12:14 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on August 12, 2015, 05:41:11 AM
Mike
What I find generally speaking is if I count to 4, So the second black box comes up and says to apply power etc, I count 1,2,3,4 then flip my breaker on.

I also find a slow flip of the breaker (not really slow) assuming a fast snap causes a bounce and the power isn't clean. Basically you need a nice clean power connection.

I have had a couple that are stubborn and I repeat this process a few times. Also I have seen the cable be the issue as well. The MNGP is a little further away from the PC I guess.

So in closing I would try counting to 4 a few times if no go I would dig through your cable draw and find a USB cable with the same ends and try that

Ryan ...

Sorry to distract from the OP but similar issues. We can start a new thread on this if needed. I tried all your suggested including the USB cable with my Win10 machine while trying the Classic update nothing worked. Previously had Win 8.1 and had no problem with updates although there have been very few of them this year. I must have worked at it for over an hour. First time I have ever had that much trouble. Usually rebooting the computer and then trying first thing it will connect, not this time. Deleted and reinstalled the MN Serial USB driver and nothing. Kind of made me wish I had a Win8.1 machine back. So I don't know if it was my bad luck on this go around or if it is Win10. Would like to get other’s experience with trying this update with Win10 as MS is going eventually force Win 7, 8, and 8.1 user to Win10.  If it is Win10 we will need a better solution for the firmware updates. The MN driver is from 2004. However the inf files look very similar to the current Microsoft USBSer.INF. I also do all my updates late at night when the Classic is Resting and not trying to do any other work.....

I didn't think to look for hidden devices until I got home and the only hidden device showing in the Ports COM section was the MS USB Serial Device on Com 8 which is the last thing I used to get it to finally connect. Not sure if that was a fluke or not but it connected and updates so I was happy. Would have like to trouble shoot this further but I needed a working Classic and didn't want to lose what I had finally achieved after being frustrated with it for a good hour or more.
Hopefully, we can get some Win10 folks reporting on their firmware update experience with both the MNGP and the Classic.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 12, 2015, 06:13:50 PM
Well I sent an email to the Tech Support and when I get home they told me to right click on the update MNGP button and run as admin so going to try that errrrr :) Well just tried it again and it had no effect what so ever!!!!!!!!!! I'm about ready to give up!!!!!!

Mike
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Halfcrazy on August 13, 2015, 05:52:56 AM
Mike
Why dont you email me ryan@midnitesolar.com I will get you new display out today under an RMA. Hopefully you have the classic charging without the display right?

Ryan
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 13, 2015, 01:34:14 PM
Quote from: svencool on August 12, 2015, 06:13:50 PM
Well I sent an email to the Tech Support and when I get home they told me to right click on the update MNGP button and run as admin so going to try that errrrr :) Well just tried it again and it had no effect what so ever!!!!!!!!!! I'm about ready to give up!!!!!!

Mike

It may well be worth your while to update to Win7 from Vista if possible. Vista had a lot of issues. But I again this firmware is a hit or miss on making the Com8 connection.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: svencool on August 13, 2015, 01:55:31 PM
Sorry folks I was a dumb@ss :( When I was doing the updates I was removing the cover and setting it on the table. It wasn't plugged in and after Ryan's email telling me that, that update was for the control panel on the front I made the connection that it wasn't even connected. So I connected it and it updated on first try.

Oh well sorry to have taken up your guys time but I do appreciate the effort everyone was going through to try to help me out.

Mike

Now I just need to figure out how to hook it to my home router so I can look at everything on my home computer :)
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Westbranch on August 13, 2015, 04:49:51 PM
just need to figure out how to hook it to my home router

see my sig for the hardware connecting to the WIFI and my computer(s), but you can only view from 1 at a time and you have to close the active L App too  ::) ::) before opening the other...

Oh, I also have a 5 place switch , also netgear, as I have 2 Classics.

got all the pieces on EBay, fairly cheap.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Resthome on August 13, 2015, 05:26:50 PM
Quote from: Westbranch on August 13, 2015, 04:49:51 PM
just need to figure out how to hook it to my home router

see my sig for the hardware connecting to the WIFI and my computer(s), but you can only view from 1 at a time and you have to close the active L App too  ::) ::) before opening the other...

Oh, I also have a 5 place switch , also netgear, as I have 2 Classics.

got all the pieces on EBay, fairly cheap.

Westbranch.. How far away are the Classics from the Asus Router? And where is the Netgear switch located? Is the switch hardwired connected to the Router? You need to connect the Ethernet ports of the Classics to a port on the Switch if the switch is hardwired connected to the router. It sort of depends on the location of all the devices. Each Classic will require different IP addresses.
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: Westbranch on August 13, 2015, 07:01:28 PM
Hi John about 50 feet from Asus router to the Linksys bridge, which lives down in the basement.

Linksys to Netgear 12 inches, hard wired to  the Linksys and the 2 Classics (~3' and 5')
Classics are #22 and #33 in their IP address.

Got My Midnite working last weekend :)  and can now watch both LApp and MM with a little screen adjusting on window sizes.. ;D ;D

PS was about to 'knuckle under' and buy a W8.1 laptop...  then I asked the techie if I could have a 'dual boot' arrangement for W7 because of the issues with FW installs "Hey, wait we have a W7 machine New In  Box" that had been returned. Interested?  I3 vs Pentium core, bigger screen, etc.. $30 less ."   SOLD>>> we head out tomorrow to test it out   :D ::)
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: cmclane28 on September 11, 2015, 12:04:13 PM
Quote from: Resthome on August 12, 2015, 02:12:14 PM
Quote from: Halfcrazy on August 12, 2015, 05:41:11 AM
... Would like to get other’s experience with trying this update with Win10 as MS is going eventually force Win 7, 8, and 8.1 user to Win10.  If it is Win10 we will need a better solution for the firmware updates. The MN driver is from 2004. However the inf files look very similar to the current Microsoft USBSer.INF. I also do all my updates late at night when the Classic is Resting and not trying to do any other work.....

I didn't think to look for hidden devices until I got home and the only hidden device showing in the Ports COM section was the MS USB Serial Device on Com 8 which is the last thing I used to get it to finally connect. Not sure if that was a fluke or not but it connected and updates so I was happy. Would have like to trouble shoot this further but I needed a working Classic and didn't want to lose what I had finally achieved after being frustrated with it for a good hour or more.
Hopefully, we can get some Win10 folks reporting on their firmware update experience with both the MNGP and the Classic.

FYI, I just got my new Classic 150 yesterday and did the firmware updates on the MNGP (and then the Classic itself after that) on Windows 10 on Surface Pro 3 last night. I followed the firmware update steps for Windows 8/8.1 to restart the computer into Troubleshoot mode, but I am not sure if that was really necessary or not. It wouldn't let me change the driver per the instructions anyway because Windows told me it already had the best one. The only real change I had to make to the automatically detected serial port device in Device Manager was change the Advanced Settings to COM 8.

After that all I had to do was turn off the classic and PV input breakers, run the firmware update program, push the button to update the MNGP, then turn on the Classic breaker and it started the upload. Once that was done, I powered off again and closed the program, ran the program again, and this time pressed the Classic 150 button. Followed the same steps again to turn on the breaker and it started the upload. I was surprised that it really wasn't more complicated than that.

Now my only problem this morning is that I must have forgotten to turn the PV breaker back on when I was done because I'm looking at the MyMidnite site and my input voltage is holding steady at 14.7V (24V nominal battery bank), which is apparently normal when there is no PV input. The more I think about it, I think I did indeed forget to turn that breaker back on.  ::)
Title: Re: New Classic 150 2050 Firmware Problems
Post by: bafaro on September 11, 2015, 02:18:49 PM
I had a similar problem but when I unplugged the Ethernet cable all happened normally.