The "LCD screen" of the Kid gone wild

[psp300639]

Here's the specific gravity reading I took for cell number 5, other cells SG still have 20 points difference. Refer to photo attached.

[psp300639]

Here's the procedure I have done so far, the set-points charging voltage parameters was modified likewise the PV wattage had been reduce from its original settings from 400 watts to 200 watts. As far as the voltage charging parameters are concern I use these set-points for the EQ cycle as follows ( n.b. the Float cycle has been achieve previously) go to the Battery setting of the Kid and tinker the EQ voltage parameters from 14.4V to 14.8v to 15.0v to 15.5v and last setting I use 15.7v at 30 minutes interval in between increments. The "Kid" manage to hold on those settings without incident. I did observe whenever over cast shadows appears the "kid" will cycle from "EQUALIZE" to "EQ MPPT" and I could hear clearly the continuous and rapid clicking of the internal relay,  I timed the over cast shadows averaging from 1 to 5 minutes. It's already 12:35 noon, I still have 3+ hours left to observe the "Kid". sharing my experience with the "Kid".

[psp300639]

I did manage to stop momentarily the continuous and rapid clicking of the internal relay by adjusting its anti clicking sensitivity feature of the kid. This only happens whenever overcast shadows appears during the EQ cycles. Comparing yesterday notes, I could see the actual voltages registering at 13.5v during the EQ cycles and the Kid would momentarily reboot and power up again and shows those Black box anomaly. I think the overcast shadows from the sun contributes the anti sensitivity features of the kid especially during the EQ cycles were higher voltage is needed for longer period of time without interruption from the sun. Those overcast shadows from the sun are not suppose to affect the kid knowing full well it's MPPT features that can  handle the situation. I own another solar charge controller it has the "PWM" features the TRIMETRIC 2030RV used in tandem with the SC2030 and never encounter the problem as the kid. Even if overcast shadows appears at longer time it will not reboot during the EQ cycles. All the user has to do is tinker two settings, the voltage set-point setting and the Timer set-point setting that's it no more worries just like plug and forget. Anyway sharing my experience with both units.

[psp300639]

It's already 5:00pm got to rest for now. This may be off topic, but it's worth sharing my other off grid setup, anyway here's the Bogart Trimetric 2030RV used in tandem with the SC2030 during the Float stage cycles. Refer to photo attached for the SC2030 solar charge controller.

[psp300639]

and finally here's the Bogart TM2030RV showing the Float voltage. Refer to photo attached. Finally see you guys next weekends my journey with Kid continues.

[psp300639]

xxxxx. Has rebooting the Kid made any difference at all?

Yes tried the factory resetting no improvement at all, the kid have mind of its own.   

[psp300639]

Other related concern. Trying to reflect my experience with the marine kid. The kid would transition from "RESTING" to "BULKMPPT" stage and I could hear the relay kicks in and later reboot this will continue the cycles and process all over again. The anti clicking sensitivity remains at factory setting level "8". This incident happens during daytime period when there's overcast shadows appears. How about during the cycle of "SUNRISE" and "SUNSET" is the kid suppose to act normal this way?

[psp300639]

It looks like I'm not the only one having this issues. Follow the link http://midnitesolar.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2387.0

[psp300639]

Hi Raechel I send you email the serial number of the Midnite solar the kid marine version, please verify and update me on the subject and other requirements. Thanks

[psp300639]

Reviewing my last weekends notes it appears the "Menu/Back bottons" will not response if the  kid will display those "black Boxes" anomaly in the LCD Screen, I tried the "Status", "Setup" "Save" including the "Left","Right","Up", or "Down" and the "Enter" buttons the Kid will not response, the only way out of the situation is to disconnect PV and Battery wires then, reconnect everything again, the kid will power up normally shows the "Main status Screen" again. There is one inccident were the kid will "Reboot" during the EQ cycle, i  did accidentally touch the "Enter Button" instead the "Menu/Back" Buttons and the internal relay kicks in making those rapid clicking noises and reboot. Maybe this coming weekends I try to duplicate this inccident will see if the Kid does it again. I'll continue to post for updates. I'm "High on LED and SOLAR". Cheers. See you Guys

[psp300639]

This is the overcast shadows appears from the open skies which I took a snap shot photo last weekends. During the EQ cycles stage were the voltage recorded as low as 13.5 will register in the LCD screen and I could hear the rapid clicking noises from its internal relay. As a result fraction of a second later the "LCD screen" will displayed those "Black boxes" anomaly. As I have explain earlier all the "Buttons" keys will render it inoperative and useless.

[psp300639]

Reviewing my last weekends notes, the kid will transition from "EQUALIZE  to "EQ MPPT" as it appears in the LCD screen. Now I can make two educated guess, first condition, if there were clear skies the kid will display "EQUALIZE". Second condition, if there were overcast shadows from the skies the kid will display "EQ MPPT". I think the second condition is the cause of the problem it is at this stage of the EQ cycle were the kid behave unusual. I'm not a technical guy just trying to analyze and understand the current situation and to be part in solving the kid mystery "LCD screen" of the Kid gone wild. Hopefully tomorrow nature will cooperate. I'll keep posted for updates.

[psp300639]

I would have tried new firmware by now to see if it fixed the problems you are having.

Trying to source those usb cable but luck is not in my favor, I have seen those play station portable  usb cable, its port is identical, but the problem cannot fit all the way, the back cover of the kid getting its way.On brighter sight, Raechel has commited to provide the USB cable and the surface mount adapter for the marine kid. By the way here's the photo of the PSP USB to mini.

[ClassicCrazy]

If it is an old cable you don't really care too much about you could try using a razor blade to trim some of the plastic covering off of the cable housing in the areas where it is hitting the Kid case.

Larry

[Halfcrazy]

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