Around 6 May I noticed that the normal up and down of my roof array suddenly flat lined. When I looked the array was at 2W all day every day. I figured it just needed to be rebooted so when I came up today I did that by turning off the array and battery breakers and then bringing everything back up. I saw a message on the display about setting the date and time which was odd. After I set the date I noted that the display was cycling between resting, pv shade and bulk mppt. I could hear something click every now and then like a relay was resetting in the controller. I have had this array running without shading errors since Dec 2020.
A real reboot would be to do VMM reset ( factory restore ) - there is info on how to do that in firmware update section of Midnite page.
You just need to hold left and right arrow buttons in while powering up Classic
See details here
https://www.midnitesolar.com/firmwareReport.php?firmware_ID=19&firmwareProduct_ID=1&act=edit
Copy down or backup your settings with local status app for easy restore - because VMM will erase them back to defaults.
Larry
I will do that tomorrow morning and let you know. I really should purchase a spare classic and keep it an an EMP proof bag. I am totally off grid and if I lose a controller I loose a third of my power...
Thanks for the rapid response..
You could also try doing a firmware update - maybe won't help if there is some other issue but at least you would be up to date on that at same time.
Did you check all the wiring and connectors from your pv array and the breakers too ?
Larry
Its running 2193 so its up to date.. i checked the torque on the ground, not going up on the metal roof if I can avoid it.
I did the VMM reset as suggested and I still hear the clicking and its cycling between resting and bulk mppt with only 2w in at 124v
Quote from: schroew on May 23, 2022, 08:45:12 AM
I did the VMM reset as suggested and I still hear the clicking and its cycling between resting and bulk mppt with only 2w in at 124v
So, does the input voltage just stay at Voc and not come down ?
If so, this MAY be a broken resistor that we had a problem with a while back once in a while.
boB
It does seem to be going up and down. I took a screenshot from mymidnite2.
I want to have a spare so I think I am going to buy a replacement from my vendor. Can I send this one back for review/repair if we run out of troubleshooting steps?
Quote from: schroew on May 23, 2022, 08:58:02 PM
I want to have a spare so I think I am going to buy a replacement from my vendor. Can I send this one back for review/repair if we run out of troubleshooting steps?
You should open a ticket on the Midnite page and they will advise you of your options.
https://www.midnitesolar.com/support.php
Larry
RMA issued and I bought a new one so I can have a spare in the future. Thx for for your help!
I dont know how you figured out where I was going to buy the new controller but I found the shipping label for my rma in the box. Amazing!!
I replaced the charge controller today and after I ran setup it was cranking out 500Watts. Problem solved.
Glad the new one is working !
Did you send the old one back ? Or .... ?
I will- i need to get back to where i can ship it first.
If it can be fixed and warrantied i will buy it back.
The reason I asked is, IF it is what I THINK it might be, it could be fixed without removing circuit boards.
Just a resistor on the top PCB. If you had a multimeter, you can check the resistor to see if it is open.
Not sure if you can solder or not.
boB
I can check it, is there a circuit diagram so I know what to look for?
Found a VERY dusty Classic around.
The resistor that is circled should be 10 or 20 Ohms.
Guessing that it might be open. It might measure some high value though but would still be bad.
IF this is the problem and if you fix it, you will have to talk with someone at MidNite Solar about it.
I can mention what has happened here though *IF* that is even the problem
Good chance that it is though based on what I have seen.
boB
Ok- i have a support ticket so I can pass findings here and up the chain via my ticket.
It measured 2.9M ohms… i will relay this to support.
Yep ! That's the problem then
I do NOT know what the policy is or what we do when you are sent a return ticket and another unit and are able to fix the original unit with a bad resistor like this...
I'm not THAT wise in these matters 😁
boB
I have worked this out with support, all is well. Thank you so much for your help!
Quote from: schroew on June 08, 2022, 05:16:14 PM
I have worked this out with support, all is well. Thank you so much for your help!
Fantastic !!
I am glad when a plan comes together !
😀😀😁