The "LCD screen" of the Kid gone wild

[psp300639]

The EQ simulation did manage to pass with flying colors which greatly contributed by the clear skies and had not experience the overcast shadows, In so far as the calibration side for PV it was perfect, it did match quite well with the Digital multimeter, however on the Battery side it always has variance compared with the Kid LCD screen voltage readings vs digital multimeter, I guess it is negligible. The kid was temporally disconnected till next weekends.

[psp300639]

Please check the PV voltage with a voltmeter and compare that to the display of the KID. Do they agree 100%??

Mario is saying this is a calibration issue not a code issue but he is working on some stuff in code to make this problem go away without calibrating the Kid I think

Attached is the procedure for calibrating. MAKE SURE MODE IS OFF!

Ryan

Currently using Google "Chrome" software cannot download the pdf file using that medium, I change to "Safari" software I was able to download the pdf file. It's not compatible with chrome, anyway that got the file.

Thanks Ryan

I use Chrome on a Win8.1 machine and just for the heck of it I downloaded the file. Got it fine. It opens.

Currently using iPhone IOS 8.2 latest version, no access to Laptops and PCs, I tried using chrome it had issues, so tried safari it works got the file, well I guess softwares has compatibility issues as well.

[psp300639]

It may be off topic but anyway, Here's the latest updates from chrome dated as of March 16, 2015, I downloaded the file from apps store and install its latest version. I tried to get the pdf file Ryan posted using the chrome latest updates, the file was able to download without issues and open in iBooks perfect. Here's photo attached For reference. 

[psp300639]

It's Saturday once again, this kid still giving me headaches, I followed the procedure for calibration it  works quite well only during clears skies whenever overcast shadows appears the kid will transition from "EQUALIZE" to "EQ MPPT" then goes to "RESTING", besides the timer for EQ cycles is still on process. I verified the voltage recorded in the LCD as low as 13.5v, it stays there for while then cycle all over again. The kid trying is to maximize its charging potential as demonstrated by its transitions mentioned earlier, supposedly the kid should work better during cloudy or hazy days, but going to "RESTING" during EQ cycle? Is the kid acting normal? Updates, during the whole day observation I never seen the Black box appears and the rebooting anomaly, except for the "RESTING" mode during the ongoing EQ cycle. I am not yet ready on giving up on the kid knowing it's making lot of power during the normal charging cycle process. 

[Halfcrazy]

if it is cloudy enough yes it will go to resting. The Kid will need to see more than 10 watts of power before it will stay out of Resting

[psp300639]

Hi Ryan,

May I ask if the calibration process will now be made integral part of the firmware upgrades? I mean there will be no more users intervention in calibrating the kid? Plug and play features? Eliminating the need to do it manually.

[Vic]

Hi psp ..,

This question is a bit off-topic,   but,  How often are you doing an EQ?

Are you using EQs to try to get balanced SGs?   I have forgotten what you batteries happen to be -- Flooded,  Sealed or other,  and your Signature is not visible while writing a Post.

Thanks!   Vic

[Resthome]

It's Saturday once again, this kid still giving me headaches, I followed the procedure for calibration it  works quite well only during clears skies whenever overcast shadows appears the kid will transition from "EQUALIZE" to "EQ MPPT" then goes to "RESTING", besides the timer for EQ cycles is still on process. I verified the voltage recorded in the LCD as low as 13.5v, it stays there for while then cycle all over again. The kid trying is to maximize its charging potential as demonstrated by its transitions mentioned earlier, supposedly the kid should work better during cloudy or hazy days, but going to "RESTING" during EQ cycle? Is the kid acting normal? Updates, during the whole day observation I never seen the Black box appears and the rebooting anomaly, except for the "RESTING" mode during the ongoing EQ cycle. I am not yet ready on giving up on the kid knowing it's making lot of power during the normal charging cycle process.

Well with only 400W of PV I would think this would be normal operation for your system on cloudy overcast days. Don't forget the wattage on the name plate of your panels is rated for a very specific temp usually 72-75 F degree and a very specific light level. In the real world of solar you are lucky to get 70-80% of this stated value.  And with cloudy conditions you are not going to get anywhere near that wattage. What makes you think it should work better on cloudy days?  What is the set point for EQ voltage that you are trying to achieve?

[psp300639]

This maybe off topic but it's worth mentioning, anyway here's the link
http://www.solar-electric.com/mppt-solar-charge-controllers.html
Another link
http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?1923-To-mppt-or-not-to-mppt-That-is-the-question
I have been doing trouble shooting for electrical system for automotives and motorcycles especially the ignition coils same principles were applied having primary and secondary windings to step up the voltage, In solar application I see no difference. Just tying to understand the behavior of the kid in EQ cycles process.

[Resthome]

Yeah the panels do better when they are cool but you still need the sun (light). So yes they do better in the cooler winter months when you have sun not clouds. And in the summer when you normally have more sun the panels get hotter and do not produce as much, but you usually have more daylight in the summer than in the winter. Of course this depends on your location.

You might check your panel documentation to see if they provide typical I-V curves for various temps and lighting. They are very helpful in understanding what you may get out of your panels. System wiring and a variety of other issues also effect output. The Midniite products do an excellent job provided they are configured and setup properly. IMHO there is no such thing as Plug-and-Play in the Solar PV world.

[Vic]

OK psp..,

Thanks .. was just a bit concerned that very frequent EQs,  with the relatively high (usual(+) EQ voltages is really not that good for your batteries,  unless they really need EQing.

Guess that you have Flooded batteries ...   forget.

FWIW,  Thanks,   Vic

[psp300639]

It maybe off topic, but since I also have the Bogart TM2030RV and SC2030 it's worth sharing my experience. Two days ago I wrote Bogart Engineering my intention in using the TM2030RV to control two SC2030 solar chargers to control up to 62 amps from solar panel in 12/24 battery system. It has never been tried but maybe I'll be the first to do the honor, anyway a day later Ralf the owner  emailed the procedure in stacking two SC2030 solar charger, here's the link for information purpose only. Currently the procedure is now posted in their website under the caption SC2030 solar charger here's the complete link
http://www.bogartengineering.com/sites/default/files/docs/ConnectTwoSC-2030-Rev1.pdf
I think it is similar to the stacking two kid in follow me mode to double the harvesting energy from the sun. I send back my unit for upgrades last Friday to Bogart Engineering to incorporate their new program for manual equalization, for now have to wait for another three weeks for the unit to arrive, it will take approximate 12,704 km via USPS.

[psp300639]

As I have said before, currently have two similar system the only thing that will separate them is the type of solar charge controller, one having the PWM type (Bogart TM2030RV paired with SC2030) and the other MPPT type (Midnite solar the kid), both have similar system in terms of rated PV, Battery, PV wires same length and size,same rated  shunt, over current protection devices etc, all other variables were taken into considerations. Once tried to swap their places, knowing having similar setup, the rest is history.   

[mike90045]

My 3Kw & 2Kw arrays don't even make 10% of nameplate on average cloudy days.  On a dark rainy day, it's close to nothing.  PV only really "works" in full sun or light overcast.

[Halfcrazy]

It is also worth noting you really can not do a Apples to Apples testing of PWM vs MPPT on the same array and battery. To be fair the MPPT should have more voltage and if you was to give the PWM more voltage it wont be able to use it.

To be fair the way to do a head to head testing would be:

12 volt battery

2 12v modules in parallel on the PWM
2 12v modules in series on the MPPT