A Forum run by Enthusiasts of MidNite Solar

Please vote for your favorite Classic

There is actually a reason for this. We have 4 different Classics. We will be building a certain amount each month, but what version? We expect to sell 3 to 4 times more than we can build for a while. I would hate to be committed to building the wrong versions.

I would guess the 150 would be the biggest seller

The 150 might just be the largest seller? It is the voltage our industry is used to. It is also the most efficient Classic, but if the wire run is 75 feet or more, it would make sense to consider a higher voltage input.
Robin

that's hard to call because there are many out there that would want or need a higher voltage. i'll still go with the 150 to be most popular as a guess, but i think the 200 may be a close 2nd. fortunetelling isn't my strong suit though so take that with a grain. ;)

I would say the 150. I am looking at two of them for myself.

Cheers...
Damani

vote for 150 still waiting for the call have 4 Hugh,s  design turbine waiting  maybe have to get 2 to 3 parelled 7 foot ,10 foot,12 foot and new 15 foot turbines  you tube ibeweagle

Right now,  I'm most interested in the 150.

Thanks for the Forum.  Good Luck,  VIc

I need a 150 for my RV.  Thanks for all the hard work Robin  :)

Looking at the "Absolute Current Output" on the Classic Power Graph page, I see that the absolute output amps for the 150 are significantly higher than for the 200 and the 250. For this reason, I expect the 150 to be more popular than the 200 & 250.

Keith

Think that at least one dealer on the net is taking pre-orders.   If more dealers took preorders,  and you folks had visibility of this order data it would help.  Altho,  guess that if there were long-leadtime items involved,  longer range visibility would be nice.

I have two applications:  one is as a retrofit on an expansion of an existing system.  This system currently uses one MX-60,  so  150ish VDC is fine,  and the higher output current is nice.

The second system in a new install,  where there is more flexibility,  and a  higher VOC might play well.   BUT this system will need to be online within six weeks,  and  bet that I could not get any Classic within that time frame.   So prob will need to start with some other CC.

Thanks,   Vic

Production units are well under way and I suspect them to start out the door steadily first of the week next week. There are a bunch of orders in so if you need on look around there should be some floating around very soon

Hi Half,

Thanks for the info ...   Usually,  I do not want to be the very first owner of a new product.   BUT,  you guys have been at this a number of times over the past three-ish decades,  and the field updatability (is that a word ?) of the Classic takes some of the edge off of this.

Just to confirm:  What does the Classic need to field-update the FirmWare ?  ie.  Does it need an extra-cost dongle thingie (like the dreaded Brand X SCC ?   I may try to preorder a Classic 150 very soon.

TIA  Vic

The Classic has 2 ways to update the software. The first is with the supplied USB cable and the second is through the Internet.

Quote from: Halfcrazy on December 09, 2010, 03:48:17 PM
The Classic has 2 ways to update the software. The first is with the supplied USB cable and the second is through the Internet.

AND we supply a USB cable !   A nice LLLLLOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGG one too.   Not good for external hard drives, but
plenty good for slower (12 MHz) USB applications like Classics and digital cameras.

boB

I vote for the 150 being the most popular, but I bet the 250 gains quickly in popularity.
That'll be great for all the 48 volt PV systems that need upgrading!
And I like Vic's comment about not usually wanting to be first on a new product.
That's normally my position as well, but I'm more than willing to make an exception for
Midnite Solar.....keep up the good work guys!

To answer the question about getting a Classic within 6 weeks: We have quite a lot of distributor orders for Classics. They will start dribbling out into the market soon. Two places come to mind that have had units on order for years. These places will be getting some of the first Classics. www.wholesalesolar.com and www.mavericksolar.com Northern Arizona Wind and Sun, Sierra Solar, Kansas Wind Power are also getting some of the first units.
Give them a try. I expect we will sell 3 times as many units as we are planning on building for the first few months, so don't wait too long.
Other distributors that have placed stocking orders are DC-Power, Solar Depot, Inter-Island Solar.  In Canada HES, G2 and Conergy have units on order. We are shipping our first production units to Australia next this week too.

Wind:
Bergey has a lot of 250V units on order to go with their new 48V XL.1. This new turbine satisfies the need for a 48V version of the popular XL.1 turbine. You can charge a 12,24 or 48V battery bank with the new turbine. DC-Power has a lot of units scheduled to go with their Kestrel 1000 and 3000 watt 110V turbines. The Kestrels will also be able to charge a 12,24 or 48V battery bank. Actually the Classic is fully adjustable anywhere from 12-86 volts or so.
Robin

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the detail on Disti orders ... Will try to order one  from one of the first couple mentioned.  It will be for a Classic 150.  A bit later will need one more,  and will carefully consider one of the higher voltage jobs.  It is exciting to watch them emerge,  and know that you folks must be very busy indeed.

Thanks again.   All The Best for happy,   productive   Holidays.     Vic

so after about 10 months going by, i am curious as to the standings of the demand. i hope you kept track of the sales to pinpoint the demands. at the very least, you would know production numbers.

Niel
Believe it or not it is pretty even across the 3 models with the 150 being in the lead. I would say it is like 40% 150's and the other 2 are real close to the same. We are surprised how popular the 200 is although it is a very versatile unit allowing for a little more cushion on 48 volt systems  that may have had a hard time charging fully in the summer heat.