Odd behavior from Kid

[IDprepper]

Nutshell...

Bought Kid 2 years ago. Had click of death from day 1. Finally burned up and had to send it back for repairs.

Now Its got lights (orange and red) flickering after sunset and before sunrise (when resting).

Facts....

Flickering lights started after I set panels (2 x 100w) from serial back to parallel because of shading issues.
Loaded firmware 820 and flickering lights went away but clicking starts again in AM.
820 caused clicking to return in AM.
Went back to 811 and flickering lights came back but clicking stops.
Removed fuse to panels and flickering went away.

So flickering lights happen during parallel panel setup.
Flicking lights come during 811 firmware.
Flickering stops by removing panel fuse.

Im kinda getting burned out on this controller and "issues".

I really just want something I dont have to fuss with like a high maint woman.

[ClassicCrazy]

What is the voltage of your batteries and the voltage of your panels ?
You went from a higher voltage in series to lower voltage input with parallel. So wondering if that had something to do with it.
Also which charging mode are you using  ?

Maybe it is something in your settings that needs to be changed due to your input voltage being half of what it was before.

Always happy to help a high maintenance man when needed.

Larry

[IDprepper]

Its 811 thats causing the flickering, not my setup. The firm before 811 did not flicker but I do not have that firm on my computer to roll back to.
Also if you look at notes for 820firm you will see ---->>> "- Bug fixes in the LEDs"

I noticed that 820 makes a loud double click when going from resting to bulk or while on resting on cloudy day/morning.
811 makes a single much quieter click much less often.

Is this a relay making the click noise?

Why not go to the Genasun MPPT relay FREE system? No noise and no parts to wear out. Mine has already broke and been repaired once.

I guess I could keep 811 firm and go back to serial setup. I went to parallel because of tree shading on one panel or the other during the day. It knocks the whole thing down.

[Vic]

..prepper,

Larry asked some very good questions;

What is your battery voltage?  And,  that chemistry are they,  ie,  Flooded, AGM,  etc?

What are the Vmp, Voc,  Imp of your PV modules?

...Where is the negative lead from the PVs connected into your system?

THANKS!     Vic

[dgd]

I noticed that 820 makes a loud double click when going from resting to bulk or while on resting on cloudy day/morning.
811 makes a single much quieter click much less often.

Is this a relay making the click noise?

I have seen this with several KIDs I have. It  is a real relay that is clicking BUT this clicking is normal behaviour.
Since you changed FW to 820 you also changed the PV config to parallel/ This means you are seeing a lower voltage range input to the KID and if your battery voltage exceeds this during morning and evening then the KID will turn on/off the input using the relay.
This yourepeats as it retests the input voltage to see if its high enough to charge the battery.
When  had 811 with serial PVs the input V would quickly climb above a minimum charging voltage - hence just one or very few relay transistion (clicks).

A real relay is probably a cleaner input power on/off switching method compared to an SSR. Life expectancy should be as good as SSR probably exceeding the expected life of the KID.

I guess I could keep 811 firm and go back to serial setup. I went to parallel because of tree shading on one panel or the other during the day. It knocks the whole thing down.

A common dilema, nothing to do with firmware version, paraller or serial pvs with shading, relocate the PVs...
Also try 811 with serial PVs
dgd