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#91
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Fan spin in Classic (and l...
Last post by binkino - July 01, 2026, 04:41:35 PMThanks 
regarding the bottom fans on one "Classic" model, only one of the two actually runs, while the other doesn't work at all. Yes, there is dust on the fan blades. I can spin the fans with my finger, so it seems the electronic inside the fan itself has failed.
And if you look at it this way: they had to work hard for the last ten years. That's not something you take for granted these days, either
I just watched an old video showing that the fans can be replaced from the back. It's been so long that I'd completely forgotten about that. That really simplifies things.
(please never delete these videos!)
The "Turbo" fans are just louder than the originals because the old ones were broken, and these replacements have a higher airflow rate
While I was just in the basement, I noticed the one working fan is still spinning; the sound triggered a memory (sometimes it's funny little things like that that bring memories back) of how the bottom fans used to keep running for a long time in the evening. I've ordered new fans now and hope they arrive quickly.
In the meantime, this "forced ventilation" setup will have to do the job ;-) (Photo attached. It's controlled by an AVM smart plug and helps with cooling for now.)
regarding the bottom fans on one "Classic" model, only one of the two actually runs, while the other doesn't work at all. Yes, there is dust on the fan blades. I can spin the fans with my finger, so it seems the electronic inside the fan itself has failed.
And if you look at it this way: they had to work hard for the last ten years. That's not something you take for granted these days, either
I just watched an old video showing that the fans can be replaced from the back. It's been so long that I'd completely forgotten about that. That really simplifies things.
(please never delete these videos!)
The "Turbo" fans are just louder than the originals because the old ones were broken, and these replacements have a higher airflow rate
While I was just in the basement, I noticed the one working fan is still spinning; the sound triggered a memory (sometimes it's funny little things like that that bring memories back) of how the bottom fans used to keep running for a long time in the evening. I've ordered new fans now and hope they arrive quickly.
In the meantime, this "forced ventilation" setup will have to do the job ;-) (Photo attached. It's controlled by an AVM smart plug and helps with cooling for now.)
#92
I have been running two Classic 200's with EG4 lithium batteries and (4) strings of (3) 300 watt PV. I upgraded to 430 watt PV configured into (2) strings of (9) but this exceeds the two Classic 200's. I am waiting for a new Barcelona that should accommodate the (2) strings of (9) 430 watt PV.
My question is .... I read that I should precharge the Barcelona before switching battery and then PV breakers on.
How can I precharge the Barcelona battery?
Thank you in advance
My question is .... I read that I should precharge the Barcelona before switching battery and then PV breakers on.
How can I precharge the Barcelona battery?
Thank you in advance
#93
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Generator control with AUX...
Last post by ClassicCrazy - July 01, 2026, 11:27:00 AMhere is a info on starting generator with Aux1
https://www.midnitesolar.com/faqList.php?faq_ID=145&parent_ID=2&faqCat_ID=51&faqCatName=Classic%20Charge%20Controller&showAnswer=true&subCatName=Aux+Inputs
Larry
https://www.midnitesolar.com/faqList.php?faq_ID=145&parent_ID=2&faqCat_ID=51&faqCatName=Classic%20Charge%20Controller&showAnswer=true&subCatName=Aux+Inputs
Larry
#94
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Fan spin in Classic (and l...
Last post by ClassicCrazy - July 01, 2026, 11:02:56 AMI can see the fan in the photo looks like it has a fair amount of dust on the blades. If it is loud maybe try cleaning that off using a small pipe brush.
I always thought the turbo fan was at the top ?
But I have never messed around with the fans on my Classics and don't think I ever heard them run unless they were moving a lot of amps.
There are some topics about fans and how to test them here
https://www.midnitesolar.com/faqList.php?faqCat_ID=57&faqCatName=Classic%20Charge%20Controller&parent_ID=2&subCatName=Troubleshooting
Larry
I always thought the turbo fan was at the top ?
But I have never messed around with the fans on my Classics and don't think I ever heard them run unless they were moving a lot of amps.
There are some topics about fans and how to test them here
https://www.midnitesolar.com/faqList.php?faqCat_ID=57&faqCatName=Classic%20Charge%20Controller&parent_ID=2&subCatName=Troubleshooting
Larry
#95
The "Classic" charge controller / Fan spin in Classic (and lite)...
Last post by binkino - July 01, 2026, 09:21:39 AMHello.
My Classics have been running for 10 years now, and I haven't regretted it. That's worth mentioning, since people are usually quick to complain (and I'm no exception to that, unfortunately).
A lot has happened in the 10 years and since my last visit here. The link to my PV setup is still valid (http://a68k.de/pv/ — and I've continued the documentation in a dedicated playlist on my YouTube channel, @a68k_de).
The reason I'm writing today...
I noticed today that the "East" Classic is running at almost full power (~50 of max. 79 Amps) , while the "South" Classic is contributing only a minimal amount—just a few amps.
The Junior is connected to the "South" Classic.
I have no "follow me" ... I can't remember why, but there wa ssomething not working as expected ... sorry ... braincellrott
The "Local Status Panel" (I assume there isn't a newer version or alternative?) shows the "Current Limit Reached" icon for the "South" Classic.
However, the maximum current hasn't actually been reached yet, which is new to me.
Here's what changed in my system this year:
East: New modules—"9 x Trina Vertex S+ 455W Glass-Glass Black (TSM-NEG9R.28)"—arranged in 3 strings of 3 modules each. This is working excellently.
South: Previously, just like it was on the East, there were 3 strings of 4 modules (240 Wp). Now I added a 5th module to each string here (using the old ones left over from the "East"). In the process, I discovered a defective module on the "South" and replaced it with a working one from the "East".
I took a look at the charge controllers and suspected the "Turbo Fan"—a part I've had to replace before. They are still noisy due to their high RPM, but then I remembered that they've been running all day for quite some time now...
I've attached a picture to show which fans I mean
The bottom fans on the "South" unit aren't spinning at all, and only one of the "East" unit's fans is turning.
I'm assuming the answer is "yes," but before I shut down the system tonight to take the Classics apart and get to the fans—the fans should definitely always be spinning, right?
I've left the front covers unscrewed for the time being to allow for better heat exchange with the ambient air, and I'm continuing to monitor the alert.
Right now (3:20 PM), the "East" unit is still delivering 2,300 watts at 42 amps, while the "South" unit continues to report a current limit. The "South" unit briefly spikes to over 1,300 and 1,500 watts, then drops to below 1,300 watts.
I just want to be on the safe side ;-)
Sorry for the long message; it was important for me to provide as much information as possible.
Thanks in advance ;-)
My Classics have been running for 10 years now, and I haven't regretted it. That's worth mentioning, since people are usually quick to complain (and I'm no exception to that, unfortunately).
A lot has happened in the 10 years and since my last visit here. The link to my PV setup is still valid (http://a68k.de/pv/ — and I've continued the documentation in a dedicated playlist on my YouTube channel, @a68k_de).
The reason I'm writing today...
I noticed today that the "East" Classic is running at almost full power (~50 of max. 79 Amps) , while the "South" Classic is contributing only a minimal amount—just a few amps.
The Junior is connected to the "South" Classic.
I have no "follow me" ... I can't remember why, but there wa ssomething not working as expected ... sorry ... braincellrott
The "Local Status Panel" (I assume there isn't a newer version or alternative?) shows the "Current Limit Reached" icon for the "South" Classic.
However, the maximum current hasn't actually been reached yet, which is new to me.
Here's what changed in my system this year:
East: New modules—"9 x Trina Vertex S+ 455W Glass-Glass Black (TSM-NEG9R.28)"—arranged in 3 strings of 3 modules each. This is working excellently.
South: Previously, just like it was on the East, there were 3 strings of 4 modules (240 Wp). Now I added a 5th module to each string here (using the old ones left over from the "East"). In the process, I discovered a defective module on the "South" and replaced it with a working one from the "East".
I took a look at the charge controllers and suspected the "Turbo Fan"—a part I've had to replace before. They are still noisy due to their high RPM, but then I remembered that they've been running all day for quite some time now...
I've attached a picture to show which fans I mean
The bottom fans on the "South" unit aren't spinning at all, and only one of the "East" unit's fans is turning.
I'm assuming the answer is "yes," but before I shut down the system tonight to take the Classics apart and get to the fans—the fans should definitely always be spinning, right?
I've left the front covers unscrewed for the time being to allow for better heat exchange with the ambient air, and I'm continuing to monitor the alert.
Right now (3:20 PM), the "East" unit is still delivering 2,300 watts at 42 amps, while the "South" unit continues to report a current limit. The "South" unit briefly spikes to over 1,300 and 1,500 watts, then drops to below 1,300 watts.
I just want to be on the safe side ;-)
Sorry for the long message; it was important for me to provide as much information as possible.
Thanks in advance ;-)
#96
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Generator control with AUX...
Last post by qcda1 - July 01, 2026, 08:24:30 AMGood morning Larry! Yes it is configured using the MNGP. I don't use the local app. I had to remove my test lamp setup yesterday and put it back yesterday night. I also set the SOC set points to 90 and 93%. This morning, the SOC went down to 90% and the light didn't light up. I looked at the setup and realized the Delay was at 10,0. I changed to 1,0. I also changed the Aux option to manual on to test the light and it went on. Going back to the SOC setpoint, they were at 93 and 95%, the values they were at yesterday before my last change. So I put it back to 90 to 93%, put back the Aux option to SOC% Low and the light lit... I'll leave it as is for today. It is cloudy and I believe the SOC will reach 93% later today. I'm leaving the cottage for home today and will be back on the weekend.
It looks like the changes of the setpoints are not activated right away...
One thing I'll try is to find what are the register addresses that store the configuration and the AUX states. I saw that the setpoint values are not in the Register map document and when I dump the whole registers, I see that the setpoints are in place of other values in the map...
Anybody have an updated register map document that would match the latest firmware of the units?
Best regards,
Daniel.
It looks like the changes of the setpoints are not activated right away...
One thing I'll try is to find what are the register addresses that store the configuration and the AUX states. I saw that the setpoint values are not in the Register map document and when I dump the whole registers, I see that the setpoints are in place of other values in the map...
Anybody have an updated register map document that would match the latest firmware of the units?
Best regards,
Daniel.
#97
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Generator control with AUX...
Last post by ClassicCrazy - July 01, 2026, 12:24:59 AMAre you setting this up via MNGP or using the Local Status app ?
I know there were a few bugs in the Local Status app for some things in the past - not sure if that is one of them.
So if using the MNGP that is probably best for setup to test.
Larry
I know there were a few bugs in the Local Status app for some things in the past - not sure if that is one of them.
So if using the MNGP that is probably best for setup to test.
Larry
#98
The "Classic" charge controller / Re: Generator control with AUX...
Last post by qcda1 - June 30, 2026, 12:23:10 PMOk. So the first test was yesterday morning at the same time I did the setup. But in the evening between 22h40 and 00h20 (the time the SOC was at 93%), the light lit. No this morning, it was cloudy so I lowered the uppper limit to 93% instead of 95%. The light went off at 93%. So it seem to work and the changes seem to be in effect after the auto reboot at midnite...
We'll see in the next few days how it goes. I set the limits from 92% to 96%.
We'll see in the next few days how it goes. I set the limits from 92% to 96%.
#99
The "Classic" charge controller / Generator control with AUX1
Last post by qcda1 - June 29, 2026, 08:50:55 PMHello! I would like to have some inputs from folks that uses the Midnite Classic AUX1 interface to drive a generator based on SOC's levels. I've been using the Magnum Energy MS4448PAE with AGS and BMK to drive my Kohler 14RCA generator without issues when I was using Lead/Acid battery bank. Since I switched to LifePO4, the accuracy/precision of the Magnum modules aren't workable trying to start the generator when the SOC goes below 20% and stop when 30% is reached. It would repeat until the sun takes over. The system is in my cottage and is autonomous.
Up until now, I have developed my own generator manager using a Raspberry Pi (https://github.com/qcda1/MagAGS) and it works like a charm. Now, I'm selling my off-grid cottage and would like to simplify the setup for an non IT/Engineering buyer.
In looking for options, I just learned the Classic can drive a generator on SOC with the WbJR since firmware 2193. I found this in the Menu Map document I inadvertently opened on the page shoing the AUX1. I had an old user manual that didn't covered this feature.
I looked at this forum for any leads. I only found some discussions related to the time this option was in development. I couldn't find any tips in setting this up although it looks quite simple.
I experimented with the option without success. The Classic is at 2193 02/06/2018, the MNGP at 2186 11/29/2017.
The setup is for AUX1: SOC % High, Low%=93, High%=95, Delay=1.0, Hold=1.0. On Aux1, I have a relay that drive a lamp. The lamp will get on and of when the Aux option goest to Manual ON and Manual OFF. It will blink with the Toggle Test.
At night, the SOC will drop under 93% and will go up to 100% in a sunny morning. Unfortunately the state of the lamp does not change and stay off.
Am I missing something? Following are captures of the chapter about Aux1 and the menu option I have set.
Thanks for helping me.
Regards,
Daniel.
Up until now, I have developed my own generator manager using a Raspberry Pi (https://github.com/qcda1/MagAGS) and it works like a charm. Now, I'm selling my off-grid cottage and would like to simplify the setup for an non IT/Engineering buyer.
In looking for options, I just learned the Classic can drive a generator on SOC with the WbJR since firmware 2193. I found this in the Menu Map document I inadvertently opened on the page shoing the AUX1. I had an old user manual that didn't covered this feature.
I looked at this forum for any leads. I only found some discussions related to the time this option was in development. I couldn't find any tips in setting this up although it looks quite simple.
I experimented with the option without success. The Classic is at 2193 02/06/2018, the MNGP at 2186 11/29/2017.
The setup is for AUX1: SOC % High, Low%=93, High%=95, Delay=1.0, Hold=1.0. On Aux1, I have a relay that drive a lamp. The lamp will get on and of when the Aux option goest to Manual ON and Manual OFF. It will blink with the Toggle Test.
At night, the SOC will drop under 93% and will go up to 100% in a sunny morning. Unfortunately the state of the lamp does not change and stay off.
Am I missing something? Following are captures of the chapter about Aux1 and the menu option I have set.
Thanks for helping me.
Regards,
Daniel.
#100
Barcelona / Re: Barcelona ground fault tri...
Last post by aaapilot - June 18, 2026, 11:25:03 PMHad the same issue with a Hawks Bay. It worked fine for a few months, then started randomly throwing ground faults, didn't shut down the system, but the ground fault appeared on the display and the red light remained on until I pressed any button. Was told early boards had an issue where this would happen. Replaced the ground fault board, no joy, same random faults. Solution: Turned OFF ground fault monitoring! Turn it back on every now and then for an hour or two so if a REAL issue is live, it will let me know, then shut it off. Good luck with your Barcelona.
Dave
Dave