Hi,
Does someone have comments on using boB's varimax in beta firmware?
Any input greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Erik
Here is a Video I did on it. Mind you I had less than 2 hours to play with it but I think it explains it well?
http://www.midnitesolar.com/video/videoPlay.php?video_ID=60&videoCat_ID=15
Ryan
Good job on the video - you did a good job explaining how it works and how to set it up.
Thanks
Hello All
After upgradeing to 1070 Getting an error OCP OFF ! I have tried the "VMM" Twice and it still shows up.
What is it and how do I get rid of it ?
Thanks
Mike
Quote from: MikeJ on October 23, 2012, 08:02:02 AM
Hello All
After upgradeing to 1070 Getting an error OCP OFF ! I have tried the "VMM" Twice and it still shows up.
What is it and how do I get rid of it ?
Thanks
Mike
Mike, did you also upgrade your MNGP Remote before doing the VMM ??
boB
Bob Yes I upgraded both then did a powerdown and restart that is when the "OCP! Off" showed up then after reading here did the "VMM"
and it was gone till the next day did the "VMM" it it went away and now its back.
Thanks Mike
boB, I've the same problem as Mike with this update on my Classic 200, same message OCP IS OFF!
What's that? What does that mean?
Mike, what is VMM?
Thanks
Erik
EriK, VMM is Vulcan Mind Meld (Star Trek saying ) done by Mr Spock...
Eric
Eric,
You're going to laugh but I've never seen Star Treck movies :'(
It should be sunny today (at this time we have one sunny day for a week), so rather than doing VMM, I have preferred to re-install the 1043 FW waiting for boB to translate us this error message.
Erik
Any info yet
Did the VMM again and the OCP OFF ! is gone we shall see how long or if it comes back.
Mike
Quote from: MikeJ on October 26, 2012, 06:07:38 PM
Did the VMM again and the OCP OFF ! is gone we shall see how long or if it comes back.
Mike
Try powering off the classic and MNGP and turn it back on again and see if it retained that setting.
Maybe it isn't saving ??
What mode are you running ? Solar, wind or hydro ??
boB
Running on "Solar" So far it has not came back. We will see when it wakes up in an hour or so Thats when it can back the last 2 times
Mike
Same issue here "OCP OFF" message, all was fine with update for over a week until today, l I turned on EQ (1st time with beta software) then turned off my loads on battery bank to assist EQ, classic alarmed...reset power to classic, alarm not beeping now but error message OCP OFF won't go away, tried power cycling unit twice...no luck getting error to clear. VMM was not set yet, I now tried setting VMM after 1st re-set of classic, that didn't clear error.
what is OCP error? PS: running in "SOLAR" and panels are in partial shade at the moment. also only classic gives error, the local remote software does not show an alert.
No alarm today had a cloudy day and never seen over 30 amps not sure if that has anything to do with it.
Mike
So far its been 2 days and no error codes..........Guess it was just me? :)
That's OK Mike... New software coming up soon anyway. Hopefully this week even !
boB
Any word about the "OCP off" message!!!!!
Quote from: reddog on October 30, 2012, 11:53:07 PM
Any word about the "OCP off" message!!!!!
reddog,
That's OCP = Over Current Protection and is only on some Classics. Any Classic can show that message but it
shouldn't really be showing up. I mean, doing that VMM should have stopped it.
Could you please go into the version/date information screen (press status a few times) and report
back the version and dates ? We are also testing some new software/firmware this week and would
like to make sure this does not happen.
Thanks,
boB
I am at...
1042: 09/28/2012 MNGP
1070: 10/02/2012 Classic (150)
BTW: you guys are doing a great job, bugs are normal, (being a senior engineer for a large cable company I run across like issues all the time) and you interaction and response is fantastic! keep up the good work!
Thank you reddog ! I'll check out your versions and dates tomorrow.
Did you do a second VMM ?? Just in case ???
boB
Reddog
I had to do 4 VMM before it took..BTW Still no code showing.
Mike
Just installed 1070 beta last night. Also have the OCP IS OFF!, it continually flashes this message when in BULK MPPT but does not seem to
affect the 150's normal operation.
I have also noticed when using the local app that the BASIC CONFIG sets the default Equalise voltage to the same as the Asorb voltage, on my 150 its set to 28.8 When I change the Eq voltage up to 31v and save it then while in CONFIG and can go from BASIC to ADVANCED to TECH and back and the new Eq voltage is there. However if I leave CONFIG and go to STATUS or DATA or anywhere else then go back into CONFIG the Eq voltage has went back to the same as Absorb at 28.8
This works fine on my other 150 with 1043 firmware
Have I missed something or is this a gremlin ?
dgd
tried 3 times with new VMM no luck still have error.
On the EQ from Local App reverting to Absorb voltage, that was a bug in the Local App.
I thought that was fixed now ?? I guess not ? I will bug them to get the newest one up
that fixes this. I thought it was already up on the site.
On the OCP is OFF, it won't stop anything from working but is definitely a nuisance.
I will be posting the link to a new beta version that I would like you two to try.
Check back tomorrow morning or afternoon PDT.
boB
It is fixed but not released. Andrew has not officially released the version of the app with these fixes in it. I will chat with him today and see when he anticipates doing so.
Ryan
Quote from: reddog on November 01, 2012, 09:04:43 PM
tried 3 times with new VMM no luck still have error.
I don't suppose you are using the Local App to communicate with the Classic ??
I found an anomaly today where the present Local App can cause OCP IS OFF when
one goes to the TECH config menu and changes a check-box such as Ground Fault
and clicking the ENTER icon.
May not be an issue with your Classic but I wanted to mention it at least.
boB
Bob
Just found that out
I changed the ground fault off and it came back Had to do the VMM to get rid of it Was going to post that but you beat me to it.
Mike
Quote from: MikeJ on November 04, 2012, 08:22:15 AM
Bob
Just found that out
I changed the ground fault off and it came back Had to do the VMM to get rid of it Was going to post that but you beat me to it.
Mike
That's OK, Mike... I guess that great minds really do think alike !!
boB
Glad to try beta...send link...and I do use local remote but for remote monitoring...I don't use it to configure.
OK NEW ISSUE TODAY...downloaded latest local app ver 0.3.9, was still attempting to rid the "OCP" message by turning off ground fault (with local app) suggested by earlier thread, now I am in EQ MPPT and I DID NOT start an EQ! auto EQ is off, this worries me!!!!! (PS: letting EQ go, just happens to be time anyways for one, will see if it completes and disengages by tomorrow). Also have VMM on but have not changed that in weeks.
Classic 150V (rev 4)
Firmware:
- Classic Rev: 1070 (10-2-2012 Beta)
- Network Rev: 1024
- local app ver 0.3.9
Quote from: reddog on November 17, 2012, 01:19:25 PM
OK NEW ISSUE TODAY...downloaded latest local app ver 0.3.9, was still attempting to rid the "OCP" message by turning off ground fault (with local app) suggested by earlier thread, now I am in EQ MPPT and I DID NOT start an EQ! auto EQ is off, this worries me!!!!! (PS: letting EQ go, just happens to be time anyways for one, will see if it completes and disengages by tomorrow). Also have VMM on but have not changed that in weeks.
Classic 150V (rev 4)
Firmware:
- Classic Rev: 1070 (10-2-2012 Beta)
- Network Rev: 1024
- local app ver 0.3.9
Did you see that EQ come up first time you looked at it ?
Can you go into the recent history logs and find out when it started this EQ ?
Was it at first wakeup today, for instance ?
boB
PS... Reddog... Was the Local App connected to the Classic when this EQ started do you think ??
Were you working with the local app around the time the EQ started ??
boB
PPS...
>>> Also have VMM on but have not changed that in weeks.
Do you mean VMX ? Or VMM as in Vulcan Mind Meld ?
boB (again)
I am not running the beta firmware but I did update the local app today and my Classic went into EQ mode shortly after the update(first time it's happened). I noticed it saying EQ on the local app. so I went down to my Classic and when I went into the charge menu it said auto EQ on the bottom of the screen yet when I hit the button to go into the EQ settings themselves it was still set on manual EQ(as it always has been since I have agm batteries and do not want to EQ)??????? Luckily I have the EQ voltage set to my absorb voltage and I'm glad I do. I wasn't going to post this until I saw it happen again but since someone else had their Classic go into EQ in a similar manner I figured I would mention it.
Quote from: Wxboy on November 17, 2012, 07:24:47 PM
I am not running the beta firmware but I did update the local app today and my Classic went into EQ mode shortly after the update(first time it's happened). I noticed it saying EQ on the local app. so I went down to my Classic and when I went into the charge menu it said auto EQ on the bottom of the screen yet when I hit the button to go into the EQ settings themselves it was still set on manual EQ(as it always has been since I have agm batteries and do not want to EQ)??????? Luckily I have the EQ voltage set to my absorb voltage and I'm glad I do. I wasn't going to post this until I saw it happen again but since someone else had their Classic go into EQ in a similar manner I figured I would mention it.
Thanks ! No, this is great. I appreciate your posting.
When you say you went to the charge menu and it said "AUTO", was that the auto EQ menu identifier for the Soft-Right key ?
Did it say auto EQ disabled where the Interval days is shown ?? Did the manual EQ menu (the first menu that contains the AUTO soft-key) say EQ Stopped or EQ started ?
What version of Classic firmware is in there ?
Thanks !
boB
I wasn't in front of the Classic yesterday when I posted so my description may not have been the best. In front of it now and this is what it says...
Went into Charge screen and then EQ screen. It now says EQ stopped(yesterday I had to hit the down arrow a few times to get it to stop). I assume it said EQ started or EQ'ing or something to that effect yesterday but I know it was in the EQ mode, just don't remember the terminology. In the lower right of this same screen it says auto EQ, to the right of the Classic wording(I guess this is the auto EQ menu identifier). When I hit the right soft key it is set to manual. Let me know if you need any more specifics. I'll open the local app. later to see if it does it again today but I doubt it will. It is always possible that I accidentally clicked on start EQ within the local app but I had no reason to be clicking there so I don't think I did. And that's why I wasn't going to post this yet but then I saw someone else mention an unscheduled EQ.
6/29 firmware running
I replicated issue today...everything was normal by that I mean MPPT charge as usual (its 3pm in Chicago) Auto EQ is OFF, I then used local app and disabled GFI (un checked box) and saved through local app, did not touch anything else, immediately the Classic went to EQ MPPT, I have not tried changing any other settings yet. remember I was "playing" to attempt to get rid of the "OCP is Off" message thats how I discovered this.
I think I have identified the area of issue....any changes made in "config" "Technical" and saved will cause EQ mode to start, I went through each and every check box setting one at a time, each time after checking or un-checking anything with a checkbox and saving its starts EQ, then I simply go to "Basic" and stop EQ. PS: add ANY config changes, I went to "Basic" and changed my float charge value and saved and it also started EQ. and this TOGGLES! if I leave the EQ alone (don't stop EQ" and go back and change my float charge setting again and save it will go back to Bulk MTTP charge, so saving anything is "pinging" or "Toggling" the EQ start/stop.
Can you tell us what firmware version the classic is running? Also what version of the app as well? This can be found under application and about
Ryan
That may have been what caused my EQ yesterday because I had changed something in the settings on the local app. before it happened. Sun is down here so I can't test it now.
6/29 firmware, newest local app. that just came out
here it is again...
Classic 150V (rev 4)
Firmware:
- Classic Rev: 1070 (10-2-2012 Beta)
- Network Rev: 1024
- local app ver 0.3.9
Sorry for the trouble everyone. I have fixed the problem in version 3.10 of the local app now available for download.
THANK YOU.... My guy down loaded the new firmware. Had a little trouble getting the second controller to take the download. Finally, got it to take (tried calling Ryan but you probably didn't recognized my home phone). Had some weird logging stuff going on though (dates and times are invalid) and the OCP message.Ddid the "VMM" yesterday and all is well! No error messages and I am finally getting the absorption times I have been looking for. I haven't figured out how or if the "Follow me" is working. The Amp to the batteries from the classic are about the same while in bulk. When the CC goes to absorb, the second CC seems to be putting out about half the amps as CC#1. Is this how it works?
Thanks Roy at 4-Winds for doing the update!
We need to get some videos for the Follow-Me stuff.
As far as CC#1 not Absorbing as much as CC#2, that would be related to the slight differences
in either battery voltage readings of the two different Classics or possibly the PV arrays.
If the arrays are similar in size and power, I would say it's the voltage reading.
There may be a future firmware update to help with sharing in Absorb, but the
main thing is that your batteries get charged. If they are both in Absorb, then that
is getting done.
If you would like the one CC to come up a bit in output power like the other Classic is
doing, you could go to the Tweaks menu of the Classic that is putting out less power and
bring its battery voltage offset down by 0.1 volts and see if that helps. Or, the Classic that
is putting out more power, raise its battery voltage offset by 0.1 volt and see if it comes down
in power slightly which should bring the opposite classic UP in power a bit.
Or, just leave it as is since your batteries are getting charged at least. Let us know if you
do adjust the battery voltage offset. I'm curious if it helps or not.
boB
Quote from: Rngr275 on November 23, 2012, 05:27:48 PM
I haven't figured out how or if the "Follow me" is working.
Is the new firmware with "follow me" networking available? The firmware link (http://www.midnitesolar.com/firmware.php) does not show it.
I will be officially releasing it as beta Monday but for those that feel like tinkering over the weekend here you go:
Instructions: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31975941/Follow%20Me.pdf
More Instructions: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31975941/network%20wiring.pdf
Firmware: http://fusion.midnitesolar.com/MidNiteSolarSetup_11-20-2012_v3.54.exe
Ryan;
Any updates on the Linux based installer?
I will gladly beta test it. :D
Tom
Quote from: Halfcrazy on November 23, 2012, 06:49:50 PM
I will be officially releasing it as beta Monday but for those that feel like tinkering over the weekend here you go:
Great. Thanks!
Looking for any feedback from those who have loaded the new beta code and enabled the follow me feature. Working as expected ?
Quote from: TomW on November 23, 2012, 07:43:25 PM
Ryan;
Any updates on the Linux based installer?
I will gladly beta test it. :D
Tom
Tom
boB and Andy are packaging it now and hopefully we can get you the Linux based installer Today or Tomorrow. It also works on mac but requires a small program to run?
Ryan
Quote from: Halfcrazy on November 28, 2012, 11:32:57 AM
Tom
boB and Andy are packaging it now and hopefully we can get you the Linux based installer Today or Tomorrow. It also works on mac but requires a small program to run?
Ryan
Ryan;
Too cool!
Amy has one of those macinsquash machines so could test that, too.
If she will let me use it . :o
I think it is a great way to go supporting multiple platforms.
Tom
I just updated to the 11-20-2012 firmware and did a VMM, now I am stuck going through the solar,voltage, time-date screens then it says "sending data 4136 502 classic" and the red led lights and it stays there. I can access the controller through status panel and change the settings, but the screen on the classic says sending data....... I tried re uploading the firmware, buy the classic just keeps going to the solar setup screen...HELP!!!!!!!!
I had a similar experience BUT FORGOT TO ALSO UPDATE THE MGMT FIRMWARE.. after correctly installing I seem to be OK after 3 hours (evening no sun)
PS: i also no longer have the "OCP OFF" alarm :)
I can't get either to update.
Make sure you use the new version of update GUI, I found that the update GUI I used for the last update (shortcut on my desktop) did not work, and if you go to the "midnight solar" directory in you C:\ drive you will see an update GUI (old) and another update GUI with a newer date, select the newest dated version Then U should be OK.
Quote from: dbcollen on November 29, 2012, 11:54:43 PM
I can't get either to update.
Uh Oh... I have this happen to me once in a while but it usually is because the Classic is
not listening for some reason.
You say you cannot update either... You mean that you cannot update the Classic either ?
When the Classic is first powered up, do you notice the 3 LEDs inside the Classic's air
vent running back and forth semi-fast ?? First will be the count-down and left
LED will light followed by the middle LED and then the right LED and then the
back and forth LED for a few seconds. If it does this then there is code
inside the Classic. If it does not, then something went wrong with the
Classic update. The 2 bottom LEDs on the MNGP will also be flashing
during the 3 LED flashing. Those 2 bottom MNGP LEDs are powered by
the Classic itself and not the MNGP remote.
What version of firmware was in the Classic and what are you updating to ?
Another thing to check is the jumpers on the Classic board behind the
main wiring terminal block. If the right side jumper is installed, the Classic
will not boot and of course not communicate.
boB
boB
I updated to 1172 from 1070, when I updated to 1070 it would not update the mngp, when I updated the classic to 1172 last night I power cycled the classic after the upload completed and the window went away on its own and it still said "got com" so I did a VMM and got the "charging source" screen, set the parameters and it gets stuck on "sending data" I can still access the classic through status panel and all my settings are still there including diversion settings. (I thought a VMM erased all settings) On bootup the fan runs, all the leds do what they should, red-blue-yellow, then flash back and forth, then the leds on the mngp flash, then all go off, and the screen says "charging source" when I use the update gui the classic ignores the usb and goes to the charging source screen
The VMM will not erase settings if the display is not talking. Did you remove the cover to install the USB cable? Sounds like either the MNGP is plugged into the wrong port or the cable is not connected all the way?
Ryan
The usb cable stays connected and hangs out the bottom of the classic. The MNGP is connected to the top port and I removed the front and unplugged/replugged it. I downloaded the firmware on an old XP laptop and tried it as well, classic still unresponsive to update attempts. CDC is com 8.
I tried to update with the MNGP unplugged, no change. It appears to me that the classic is not seeing the usb because it takes a few seconds for the device manager to recognise the CDC port, by that time the classic has already booted.
This unfortunately is a problem with Windows XP and Windows 7. Ryan had a classic that stopped coming up on the comm port as well, and brought it back to the shop here. I have just recently upgraded to windows 8 and any classic that would not update anymore works every time on Windows 8. I doubt Microsoft cares about fixing and previous versions of Windows since our customers are the only ones affected by this kind of problem that I know of.
Quote from: Halfcrazy on November 28, 2012, 11:32:57 AM
Quote from: TomW on November 23, 2012, 07:43:25 PM
Ryan;
Any updates on the Linux based installer?
I will gladly beta test it. :D
Tom
Tom
boB and Andy are packaging it now and hopefully we can get you the Linux based installer Today or Tomorrow. It also works on mac but requires a small program to run?
Ryan
I run Ubuntu -willing to test.
Vern
It is up under the Beta firmware board :http://midnitesolar.com/smf_forum/index.php?topic=909.0