The "LCD screen" of the Kid gone wild

[psp300639]

Last March 11, 2015 I was advice there was delay in sending a new kid until next week, it's now March 22, 2015, the cause of the delay? honestly I don't know, I'm still waiting for the RMA labels.

[Resthome]

psp

I’m curious; I went back through this thread and did not find any information on your panel type or specification other than total PV wattage (400 watts) or how you have them configured. As Ryan has pointed out for a MPPT controller your panels need to have enough voltage over your battery system which appears to be 12 volt to function properly. You also appear to be using a high EQ set point of 15.5 volts.

So could you post your panel manufactures and model, panel specifications, and panel configuration? It would also be good to know your current panel ambient temperature and yearly temperature range and general location. And if you are using the BTS the temperature of the battery bank, battery manufacture and battery bank configuration.

I think with this information the talented folks on this forum can provide some of their expertise. 

Might be good to start a completely new thread as we have appeared to have wonder off topic of your original post.

[Halfcrazy]

Last March 11, 2015 I was advice there was delay in sending a new kid until next week, it's now March 22, 2015, the cause of the delay? honestly I don't know, I'm still waiting for the RMA labels.

The RMA was going to be to repair the blocks on the screen, Calibrating the Kid removed the blocks so I assumed we no longer need to worry about an RMA.

Am I missing something?

[psp300639]

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

I tried to read and understand the Kid instructional Manual, it appears I cannot find that says the Kid needs to see more than 10 watts of power before it stay out of "RESTING", is this issues were fully well documented in the manual so users like me will be properly guided.?

Am I missing something?   

[ClassicCrazy]

I also have been following this discussion from the beginning and am curious about what kind of panels , batteries , wiring, etc you have.

Solar charge controllers are not 100% efficient.  A more sophisticated controller like the MPPT  Kid is doing a lot of " thinking" to pick the best voltage point to get the most power out of the panels. There needs to be a certain voltage difference to be able to do this.  One major advantage of MPPT controllers is that you can run a higher voltage in to the panels to charge a lower battery voltage - PWM controllers can not do this.  Running the higher voltage also lets you use smaller wire size and saves money on copper and also lets you run the input wire longer distances with less voltage drop.

So depending on your solar system setup there may not be advantages of MPPT over PWM controller. 

Larry

[psp300639]

Thanks Larry for your concern, don't worry I can understand the old and new technology, personally I like the kid and that's the honest truth,  since I posted this in the forum thread, I said before it's no longer cost effective on my part making those IDD CALLS, I have to wake up as early as 1:00 to 2:00 in the early morning at times they have to put me on hold my long distance calls. I emailed my concern about the kid and left my contact numbers so Midnite folks can contact me, unfortunately not a single call I got from them. If you were in my shoes how would you feel? That's why I use this medium as means of communication with them. Latest message I got they are refining the firmware of the kid and the timeline I don't know wait till further announcement.

[TomW]

PSP;

I suspect that 10 watts is the idle power of The Kid?

Not sure. I have one but my array is 300 plus watts rating and 10 watts is very small part of that. I am not clear on your setup and that is a critical bit of information for others to truly help you.

Just my theory on this.

I feel for you on the time shift and long distance charges.

Have you considered SKYPE or maybe even IRC as real time options to regular  phone calls?

I can't offer much on the time shift.

Best of luck with it.

Tom

[ClassicCrazy]

PSP ,
yes there were two issues
One the Kid display - guess you, Midnite, and dealer got it all straightened out so it displays. That was possible warranty issue .

The technical operating of it or updates to the manual are best in the forums here. I believe one of the Midnite people asked recently for suggestions to update the Kid Manual so you might like to comment there.
here is the link for that
http://midnitesolar.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2275.0

[Vic]

Hi psp..,

IMO,  you have gotten some very good help and advice here on the Forum.

Believe that the 10-ish watt figure is not the Idle power that the KID consumes,  but rather,  this is what the KID needs,  total,  to rum the MPPT Converter.   The  Converter runs,  when an MPPT CC believes,  primarily from Input voltage,  that it might be able to produce more power than which is required to run the converter.

  If,  after about one minute,  there is a very small of power produced as battery charge current which is below that required to run the Converter,  the CC will Rest,  waiting for the input power to change enough for it to try again to make some net power (some amount above that required to run the converter).

When MPPT CCs go from Resting or sleeping to running the converter,  the wake-up process is usually accompanied by the input Relay clicking.

PLEASE,  will you describe the PV array either in terms of PV manufacturer part number,   string configuration,  the elevation angle of the PVs (for both the PWM and the KID configurations),  and your approximate geographic location?

Also what is the nature of the battery for each system that you are comparing?

If most of this information  was  placed in a Signature,  you would not need to type the info again,  and again,  as additional conversations occur.

My opinions,   FWIW.    Thanks!   Vic

[Vic]

And,  there is some discussion regarding the Idle or Tare power consumption early in the history of the KID,  here:

http://midnitesolar.com/Forum/index.php?topic=1653.0

Post #5  has measured values done by onanparts.

FWIW,  Vic

[Halfcrazy]

Thanks Larry for your concern, don't worry I can understand the old and new technology, personally I like the kid and that's the honest truth,  since I posted this in the forum thread, I said before it's no longer cost effective on my part making those IDD CALLS, I have to wake up as early as 1:00 to 2:00 in the early morning at times they have to put me on hold my long distance calls. I emailed my concern about the kid and left my contact numbers so Midnite folks can contact me, unfortunately not a single call I got from them. If you were in my shoes how would you feel? That's why I use this medium as means of communication with them. Latest message I got they are refining the firmware of the kid and the timeline I don't know wait till further announcement.

Please let me know if there is still unhandled issues. We all have Skype so we are available that way anytime or we can call you if needed. Please let me know what is needed and I will see that some one follows up. This is probably my fault as I thought we where all set now that it was calibrated and working.

Sorry
Ryan

[psp300639]

It's been more than 6 weeks since my last post, it appears Midnite folks has released the official firmware version 1797 for the Marine  kid. Accordingly the revision includes AGS code, advance lighting controller etc.  I'll  will definitely update my kid this time. Thanks to Midnite Team. Here's the link http://www.midnitesolar.com/pages/kid/kid_firmware.php?firmwareProduct_ID=4. Well, I'm still having problem sourcing  those USB cable.

[psp300639]

Got the cable now but have to remove portion of its outer covering plastic, originally it won't fit the Midnite Kid port, anyway here's the cable hopefully it will work. Here's the photo attached for reference.

[TomW]

Got the cable now but have to remove portion of its outer covering plastic, originally it won't fit the Midnite Kid port, anyway here's the cable hopefully it will work. Here's the photo attached for reference.

Have the same deal with my Iphone aftermarket cable.  The plastic edge bumper on the phone got in the way of the cable plastic end. Just a steady hand and a sharp blade to thin the plastic end of the cable worked well.

Be careful to not go too deep you might clip the conductors they are likely hair fine aluminum.

[psp300639]

Got the cable now but have to remove portion of its outer covering plastic, originally it won't fit the Midnite Kid port, anyway here's the cable hopefully it will work. Here's the photo attached for reference.

Have the same deal with my Iphone aftermarket cable.  The plastic edge bumper on the phone got in the way of the cable plastic end. Just a steady hand and a sharp blade to thin the plastic end of the cable worked well.

Be careful to not go too deep you might clip the conductors they are likely hair fine aluminum.

Actually the cable I use from my old accessories of the Nokia N95 phone, anyway got my Kid updated to version 1797. n.b. Watch carefully the "RFC LED" it will blink every 5 seconds that means it is updating the firmware properly, otherwise repeat again the procedure. Here's the photo attached for reference.