Classic auto EQ

[SolarMusher]

Hi everyone,
I would like to program a short/light 1hr auto EQ each week or two in winter. Did one manualy today. From what I saw, I could start EQ manually before end absorb. Is auto EQ works in the same way? I would like to be sure EQ starts only at the end of absorb when in Float and when my bank is really full and not before.
Any comments are welcome.
Erik

[Halfcrazy]

Basically Auto EQ replaces Bulk with EQ. So on the Day of the scheduled EQ the classic will wake up in EQ MPPT and push till it gets to the EQ voltage and maintain it for a period of time you programmed in.

Ryan

[SolarMusher]

Basically Auto EQ replaces Bulk with EQ. So on the Day of the scheduled EQ the classic will wake up in EQ MPPT and push till it gets to the EQ voltage and maintain it for a period of time you programmed in.

Allo Ryan,
That was my thought. Did you experiment it in auto mode?
Do you think this little EQ would be still helpful without an absorb time to finish the charge.
Here at this time, only have one sunny day a week max. How do you EQ your own batteries? I'm sure that you'd have the same problem.
Erik

[Halfcrazy]

 Erik
I think a once a week mini EQ could work. I typically do manual EQ once every couple months. But I charge pretty hot voltage wise. I push mt Trojan L16's to 59.2 regularly

Ryan

[SolarMusher]

That's what I did too, but without sun regularly I'm trying to follow a one full charge every three or four days max. For now it works fine but later in winter I'll have less time to check my system, that's why I was thinking about mini EQ every week and I'd like to make it auto. Maybe it could be an interesting feature to set manual EQ on bulk as it is and auto EQ on float only.
Just a wish for Christmas time 
Erik

[stephendv]

I haven't tried a short EQ on the current firmware, but on the previous version when it finished auto EQ it would drop into absorb.  This is quite nice behaviour for what you want to achieve, because it'll help get a full charge in short time span.
I would also like an additional EQ setting so that I can do a short one once a week and a more complete one every month or two.  In the meantime, I have the classic configured for once a month long EQ and I do short EQ's using the PC software from my desk    very handy.

[SolarMusher]

I haven't tried a short EQ on the current firmware, but on the previous version when it finished auto EQ it would drop into absorb

Hello Steph,
I suppose you're talking about FW1070 and not the new beta, do you mean that it drops to absorb and then to float (according to EA or min time) as the batteries are already full? If so I will try it next time  . Right now, it is rainy/cloudly/snowy for several days, just hope that we could see the sun back before Christmas... I have to admit, I was not a great fan of auto EQ on CC (mx60), always started long manual EQ on gen before, but I would like to try short EQ on Classic in fall/winter and see if it could do the job. From what I see with my 3.2kw array in Fall, if Absorb ends around 12/13hr pm  , maybe I'd have enough time for a short 1hr EQ once a week.
That said, I wouldn't like a short EQ directly on bulk, in my opinion it's not really a good EQ and as you know fall/Winter are always a challenge to keep SG in the top range.

I would also like an additional EQ setting so that I can do a short one once a week and a more complete one every month or two.

Agree with you, it would be great to have two different ways to program auto EQ with the Classic. Maybe boB...?
If you have good results with short EQ, please let us know.
Have a great day!
Erik

[plongson]

Stephendv: How are you doing the EQ from your desk? I'm running the latest Local App version but I'm about two releases back on both parts of the classic software.

boB/Ryan: When I dump the 1070 release in the classic it mentions to do a factory reset, losing custom settings. I don't use any auxiliary settings but I do have custom charge settings (voltage for absorb/float/EQ) will these be lost? Is some control via the local app part of the 1070 or beta release?

Paul

[stephendv]

I suppose you're talking about FW1070 and not the new beta, do you mean that it drops to absorb and then to float (according to EA or min time) as the batteries are already full? If so I will try it next time

Hi Erik,

E.g. EQ set at 62V for 10 minutes
Absorb set at 57.6V for 4 hours

When auto EQ is triggered the classic goes straight from bulk to 62V, then holds this for 10 minutes.  After 10 minutes it drops to absorb voltage and continues in absorb for a bit less than 4 hours (presumably the time it spent above 57.6 while trying to reach EQ is counted towards the absorb time).  Then after absorb it drops to float, could be EA based on time based as usual.

Agree with you, it would be great to have two different ways to program auto EQ with the Classic. Maybe boB...?

Hehe, serves midnite right for setting up a public forum, they still haven't implemented automatic massages in the classic with the option of happy endings    It does just about everything else though.

Paul,

The current released firmware (as well as the beta) and the current and previous versions of the local app let you start and stop EQ from the app.  Think it's on the first page of the "Config" screen.

[niel]

"Hehe, serves midnite right for setting up a public forum, they still haven't implemented automatic massages in the classic with the option of happy endings  "

hehe i like this little typo. does it do manual massages?

[Halfcrazy]

Only if you push the right buttons 

[stephendv]

hehe i like this little typo. does it do manual massages?

Since firmware 1070, you've been missing out!

[boB]

Afternoon, guys...  (and galz or whatever...)

When you manually start an EQUALIZE in the Classic, IF it stops on its own by the EQ timer expiring, (counting down to zero),
the Classic SHOULD go straight to Float.   A new Bulk/Absorb stage should start at midnight (23:59) or if Re-Bulk is satisfied.

When the Classic is in Bulk/Absorb and you manually start an EQ and manually stop the EQ soon after, the charge stage
should drop back to Bulk/Absorb.

When the Classic is in Float and you manually start an EQ and manually stop the EQ soon after, the charge stage
should drop back to Float.

Auto EQ allows so many days of re-trying if it does not finish its EQ on the first day.  The amount of EQ time that
was accumulated the previous day is carried over to the next day of re-trying the EQualize.

As far as messages go, the MNGP LCD status screen SHOULD also display "EQ DONE" when it has finished.
This message will go away if you press the ENTER button at least and ~may~ go away at the first wake up
on the next day (can't remember but will check this)

The beta software from a couple weeks ago and since the end of September had a bug...
The Equalize timer did NOT count down !!  Ooops !!  The latest firmware dated 12-1-2012 has this fixed.

BTW, if you need to check the auto EQ and other things that require more than one day of operation
but do not want to wait that long, you can force the Classic into a new day without having to set
the clock to 23:58 and wait for midnight to roll around...   To do this, go to the MNGPs LOGS menu
and select DAILY.   Then hold down the LEFT arrow key and tap the ENTER key for a moment.
The screen should say something like  "NEW DAY"  and then boB's your uncle !  New day !
kW-hours accumulates into the Lifetime kW-Hours, Bulk/Absorb starts anew, etc...

boB

should

[SolarMusher]

Only if you push the right buttons 

boB,
You didn't tell us about the massage buttons on the Classic ?
Erik

[SolarMusher]

The beta software from a couple weeks ago and since the end of September had a bug...
The Equalize timer did NOT count down !!  Ooops !!

Ok now I understand why it was still Equalizing after my one hour setting  , had stopped it manualy.
So if one wants to use auto EQ, he needs to update to the last beta FW?
Erik