Strange Classic behaviour

[dapdan]

Hi MN,

I have a classic installed at a client and it is act strangely.

Firstly it does not stay in absorb mode and toggle between absorb and bulk and never get to float event though there are enought panels for it to stay in absorb mode (since I had forced it eq and the voltage shot up).

THis leads to my second observation. When in eq'n it toggle between the following states eq mppt, equalising and pv shading as indicated by the MNGP.

Do I need a firmware update or something. I have tried with recent one without success using a system with windows 7. Can I only use system with window xp to upgrade firmware?

Finally, I have a 2x7 array with Vmp 17.6 and Imp 11.08. Usually when charging the PV is above 100. HOwever when the controller says eq mppy the voltage on the PV side drops to 60 something volt. Please help me understand this.

CHeers...
Damani

[Vic]

Hello Dapdan,

This is a known issue on 48 V Banks at least.

The March FW Update should have fixed it.

Look at known CC Bugs,  and Firmware revs.  There was a June FW Update,  as well.  Good Luck.  My CL 150 had this bug,  and it has been sidelined.

Good Luck,  Vic

[boB]

Hi Damani...

Is your battery voltage 48 Volts

This sounds like the old software bug that sometimes would happen, especially with
48V battery banks...

You can download the latest software (firmware) from our website and watch the video and see
the documentation on how to do this.  The video makes it very easy.  Is your Windows 7 the 64 bit version ??
Windows 7 32 bit works now and 64 bit will be done very soon.  XP or Vista works now also.

If you have ANY problem at all with this, please talk with Mario, our engineering/production/technical guru
and also speak Spanish that may help a bit.

Does this sound like a possibility ??

Thanks !!

boB

PS, I just saw Vic's response

[dapdan]

Hey boB,

It is indeed a 48v system. I will read vic post for clarification. wrt the computer. I have a pc and a notebook. I tried on the notebook without success (it is a 64bit system running windows 7. I tried on the pc which is xp and did not fair any better there. I will call Mario and go through it with him. Thanks for you assistance.

Cheers...
Damani

[nigel]

This is a good family response to a new company where else in the world would a new product get so much customer support than this, guys at Midnite you are very fortunate to have an customer base which is willing you on, Im a loner in Spain but I still like the fact that I can chat with real people at a real company fixated on its customers, to this I say thanks to Mary, Walter and Eric opps Robin as well !!! sorry bob you only warped me to hyper space, Ryan I appauled you as the flak carrier who stands up in all weather. Keep up the good work Ill maybe a distributor one day. PS The SPD,s are selling well .

Good Fortune Midnite

Nigel

[Halfcrazy]

Nigel
It is my pleasure I truly enjoy every minute of it and make it my top priority to see that everyone gets the absolute best I can give. The SPD's are a huge hit we are in Wisconsin at the Energy Fair and everyone loves them.

Ryan

[keyturbocars]

I agree that the Midnite crew has top notch customer service!

Great company (and great folks that make it up)!

Edward

[dapdan]

Mid,

When is the temp on the pcb and fets to high. I have a classic that I saw at 66 C is this to warm. It was pushing around 90amp at 24v according to the display.

Cheers...
Damani

[boB]

Mid,

When is the temp on the pcb and fets to high. I have a classic that I saw at 66 C is this to warm. It was pushing around 90amp at 24v according to the display.

Cheers...
Damani

90 Amps and 66 degrees C for FETs ??    That should be OK.

That temperature can go much higher and be OK  The Classic will back off on the current
if it gets too hot.  Hopefully you don't have to use the plastic cover over the air vent, otherwise
the Classic will not put out as much power for longer times.  i.e.  Unless you really need the cover
for salt air environments, leave it off.  ( which you probably already have off)

boB

[dapdan]

boB,

That would be correct. For all three of the classic I have installed none have been sealed. So how high can the temp go or is that a trade secret . By the way the classic 200 that had all of the fan noise has settled down. So maybe it just need breaking in.

Cheers...
Damani

[Halfcrazy]

The Classic will start derating in the high 80's C and will shut off at 98C no secrets just had to get the info from the engineering LAV

[dapdan]

Damn that is hot. You can touch that at those temps. Anything in the warranty for 1st degree burns .

D

[boB]

Well, that is an inside temperatures of course and very high current.  Temperature is what determines the maximum output
rating on almost any product like this.  Not just the Classic of course.   Usually it is the 12 Volt batteries that need the
higher currents because they get such a raw deal because the actual output power is so low at even a high current.

boB