Lite, local app questions

[zoneblue]

I gather from a march thread that there is no way to set the date/time on the lite. Thats a pity. Can you give me some clue as to how to match dates to the offline export data?

2. I have the ground fault jumper on, and the manual said to set the jumper AND turn it on in the local app. However that whole pane starting arc fault is greyed out. Is ground fault on or not?

I was having a lot of problems with the local app dissconnecting (on static ip) until i updated to the latest local app, air. Seems lots more stable now, and less bizzarre numbers appearing here and there.

Cheers

[TomW]

2. I have the ground fault jumper on, and the manual said to set the jumper AND turn it on in the local app. However that whole pane starting arc fault is greyed out. Is ground fault on or not?


Cheers

You need to enter the serial number (in the first config screen) to access those screens. Be sure to click the little blue arrow to the right at the bottom to save it. That should get those screens active.

That got me in the beginning.

Not sure if it is active until you actually set it in ther Local App.

Good luck with it.

Tom

[RossW]

You need to enter the serial number (in the first config screen) to access those screens. Be sure to click the little blue arrow to the right at the bottom to save it. That should get those screens active.

Not sure if it is active until you actually set it in ther Local App.

If the lite behaves like the others, my utility will set the classic time to your system time (which it presumes to be "right") if you use the -t switch.

[zoneblue]

You need to enter the serial number (in the first config screen) to access those screens.

Thanks Tom.  I have the serial in, and it shows most of the settings ok except the pane begnning arc fault. Arc fault isnt installed on the lite, but ground interupt is.

[dgd]

You need to enter the serial number (in the first config screen) to access those screens.

Thanks Tom.  I have the serial in, and it shows most of the settings ok except the pane begnning arc fault. Arc fault isnt installed on the lite, but ground interupt is.

I always thought a LITE could be upgraded to a standard Classic by installing the MNGP
I wonder if there is some reason why arc fault in not installed on the LITE?
Can it be installed later? 

..update
I just used the local app to connect to my Classic Lite (ser 6191), config -> tech and scroll down to FEATURES pane, enable arc fault box and greyed out boxes for Mode, Time(s) and Sensitivity could be adjusted. Does this mean my LITE has arc fault detection?
...

dgd

[zoneblue]

Ok Now im confused.  My firmware is from aug 12, so not sure if thats part of it. Will try to update it shortly. But i do need to know if ground fault is working, its a safety issue.

[Photowhit]

Ground Fault Protection should work on all Classic Charge Controllers, the Lite versions do NOT offer Arc fault Protection. Arc Fault is a different creature, and can be finicky being triggered by motors.

[atop8918]

Hi,
Arc fault is NOT available on Lite Classics. The appearance in the Local App is a Local App bug.

Thanks!
-Andrew

[zoneblue]

Andrew,

Can you confirm that the ground fault is active even if its not turned on under local app, tech section?

[dgd]

Arc fault is NOT available on Lite Classics. The appearance in the Local App is a Local App bug.

Quelle surprise!   Not a mention anywhere in the lite docs that Arc fault is not provided in the LITEs.
The description (by Phil Lane) extolls the LITE virtues and its great value (bang for the bucks- saving $150) compared to the normal Classic.
Considering all the trumpeting concerning the ARC fault detection capability of the Classic (the only controller with this!!) then to find out in this forum it is NOT included is, I imagine, disappointing for LITE customers and probably means the LITEs are significantly poorer value than a normal Classic.
Whoever at MN decided to omit this feature, saving a few cents in hardware, certainly dropped the ball from a marketing and PR viewpoint.

dgd

[Westbranch]

Not sure of my logic is right but if thee Lite is used in conjunction with a regular Classic, does the Arc fault in a Lite not become irrelevant? 
I am assuming that you only need one of the CCs to have it...

Is this logic correct?

[dgd]

NEC2011 requires serial arc fault detection with roof mounted PVs with 80+V from pv string and AS/NZS5033 requires similar (I would need to check this). So arc fault detection provided by Classic is significant in cost savings where external arc fault detection needs to be installed. This one feature puts MN Classic heads above the competition.
The arc fault detection in Classic would be with the PV array connected to that Classic so I doubt a proper Classic would detect an arc fault in a PV array connected to a LITE even though both are connected to the same battery bank.  Hopefully I am wrong, maybe follow me does something smart here or I misunderstand the arc fault detection logic.
It still means those with LITEs only face extra $ to implement serial arc fault detection.
Of course the LITE could be intended for those whose PV arrays are not mounted on their residence hence fire risk is less significant
OR PV dc voltage will always be below 80V.
I suppose the insurance company/fire risk inspectors will have the last say.. 

dgd

[Photowhit]

It was clear to me when purchasing the Classic Lite that it did not include arc fault protection. I think Northern Arizona Wind and Sun has the lowest prices on the Classic Lite, and they made it clear that that was one of the differences.

My understanding is NEC will require Arc Fault in all array installations in the next revision, though I could be wrong. (or perhaps that's for the AC side of things) but I live in Missouri where I believe we're still using NEC 2005, and of course, usually once up and running, you aren't required to update to new code.

Fires at the array are very rare, and there isn't much to burn in a solar panel, silicon, glass, aluminum will burn at high enough temps and the tedar is not easily burnable. Though I guess arc fault might help with wiring problems.

[boB]

Arc fault was required in the 2011 NEC but people ignore it.

Our understanding is that inspectors don't care about off grid very much.

Eventually this will matter most likely.   Try to go out and buy another charge
controller that has arc fault now.  Maybe when more controllers have it, it will
matter more to inspectors.  Midnite is just way ahead of the game as far as
arc fault goes.

boB