Classic 150 won't charge

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Belize1
Belize1 Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭✭
Classic 150 appears to be normal but won't acknowledge the PV input.   Everything in the 150 looks good but it always sits on Resting even though the PV is delivering 130 volts.

??
Residential Backup System  Midnite Solar MN5048 Inverter/Charger 16) 235AH Crown CR235   8) Hanwha Qcell Peak Duo 350watt  

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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,003 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020 #2
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    Could you post  picture off  the display.

    Copied from the link below, which was copied from else where...;

    To find the "LAST Reason For Resting"

    From the main status screen hold the left arrow and tap Enter. The top middle number is the "Last" RFR

    Remember this is over written the next time it goes to resting

    This table was stolen from a post by boB - hope to make it easier to find:

                          Reason  For Resting:

       ...  "

        ReasonForResting = 1    Wake state, (Vpv < PreVoc AntiClickSenstvty  (MB Addr. 4236)
        ReasonForResting = 2    Insane Ibatt on WakeUp state (offset changed from off state)
        ReasonForResting = 3    Negative current on WakeUp state
        ReasonForResting = 4    dispavgVpv < (dispavgVbatt - 10) Now -25 (RestartTimerms = 1500)
        ReasonForResting = 5    Too low power and Vbatt below set point for 90 seconds
        ReasonForResting = 6    FETtemperature >= 100C Hot
        ReasonForResting = 7    Ground Fault
        ReasonForResting = 8    Arc Fault
        ReasonForResting = 9    (IbattDisplaySi < -15) (negative current) (MB 4200)
        ReasonForResting = 10   (dispavgVbatt < LBDlowV)  Battery less than 8 Volts
        ReasonForResting = 11   Vpv >= 90% of Voc but slow. Low Light #1
        ReasonForResting = 12   Vpv < 90% of Voc   Low Light #2
        ReasonForResting = 13   Vpv > (Voc + 10V) in    PV_Uset || Solar1_OandP
        ReasonForResting = 14   Vpv >= 90% of Voc  but slow.  Low Light #3
        ReasonForResting = 15   Vpv < 90% of Voc and taking too long.  Low Light #4
        ReasonForResting = 16   Normally because user turned MODE OFF...  Disabled
        ReasonForResting = 17   Vpv > 150V  (classic 150)
        ReasonForResting = 18   Vpv > 200V  (classic 200)
        ReasonForResting = 19   Vpv > 250V  (classic 250)

        ReasonForResting = 22   Average Battery Voltage is too high above set point  (RestartTimerms = 2 sec)

        ReasonForResting = 25   Battery breaker tripped  (Vbatt shot up high)
                                (If RFR = 25 on Wakeup, check modbus register 4200)

        ReasonForResting = 26   Mode changed while running, Vabsorb raised more than
                                 10.0 Volts or Nominal Vbatt changed by modbus command
                                 AND MpptMode was ON when changed...

        ReasonForResting = 27   bridge center == 1023  (R132 might have been stuffed old units)
        ReasonForResting = 28   NOT Resting but RELAY is not engaged for some reason
        ReasonForResting = 29   ON/OFF stays off because WIND GRAPH is insane
        ReasonForResting = 30   PkAmpsOverLimit (will change somewhat 1-23-2013)
        ReasonForResting = 31   AD1CH.IbattMinus > 900   (peak negative battery current)

        ReasonForResting = 32   Aux 2 Logic input is high.  Aux2Function 15 (external disable/enable)
        ReasonForResting = 33   OCP in a mode other than Solar or PV-Uset (1-10-2013)
        ReasonForResting = 34   AD1CH.IbattMinus > 900 Classic 150,200 newer than 1-23-2013
        ReasonForResting = 35   Vbatt < 8.6 V  (LOW LOW battery)
        ReasonForResting = 36   Battery temperature is Greater than reg address 4161 specified
        ReasonForResting = 38, is the new sleep because "other charging sources appear to be active"
        ReasonForResting = 136  Battery temperature fell below MB reg. 4161 - 10 C (Classic turned back on)


        ReasonForResting greater than 100...  100 + PowerOnReset, WDT, etc...
        ReasonForResting = 104  Watchdog WDT reset (only at boot until first RFR)
        ReasonForResting = 111  Normal Power up boot (only at boot until first RFR)

                     [ 100 +   1 = POR,  2 = Ext. Reset  4 = WDT  8 = Brown Out ]

    http://midniteftp.com/forum/index.php?topic=2034.0

    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Belize1
    Belize1 Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭✭
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    Further testing.    PV tested with a meter has 130 volts when disconnected from the 150.  When the PV cable is connected to the 150 terminal,  the cable now reads zero..
    Residential Backup System  Midnite Solar MN5048 Inverter/Charger 16) 235AH Crown CR235   8) Hanwha Qcell Peak Duo 350watt  
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
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    Sounds odd... Typical issues are a confusion between what is + and - from each panel (the MC4 connections can be "reversed wired" between brands, etc.).

    The other would be is that there is an "almost open" electrical connection somewhere (bad crimp, pulled crimp, bad spotweld/connection in panel J-Box, etc.).

    You might need to pull every connection, check voltage and current at each point, then reconnect.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
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    I don't know about the Midnite controllers, but some devices will put a "crowbar" across an input (or output) connection. If something goes wrong (+/- reversed, over voltage, etc.), the "crowbar" shorts the connection.

    So, double check that +/- 130 Volts is the proper polarity at the Vpanel input for the controller (a possibility, not sure that this would happen here).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Belize1
    Belize1 Registered Users Posts: 19 ✭✭
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    this installation has been working for 2 years and only recently went into  resting state where it seems to cancel (or ground out) the incoming PV voltage.   Possibly following a lightening strike?   No visible damage anywhere, just this constant resting
    Residential Backup System  Midnite Solar MN5048 Inverter/Charger 16) 235AH Crown CR235   8) Hanwha Qcell Peak Duo 350watt  
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,439 admin
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    Water in a connection somewhere?

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,003 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Did you check what code the Classic is giving you?

    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
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    Photowhit gave the way to find the "Reason For Resting".   What is the RFR number?

    If you open the PV in breaker to the Classic,  what is the Vin shown on the display?

    Thanks,   Vic

    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
  • boB
    boB Solar Expert Posts: 1,030 ✭✭✭✭
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    Usually when you see zero volts at the input only when the PV array is connected to the input it means one of two things....

    Either the polarity of the PV is backwards, but your system has been working so that cannot be it.

    OR, the Classic is broken.  Shorted input.  Bad FETs.   Usually when you disconnect the PV from the PV input, you would see some arcing if the sun is out.

    Call MidNite Solar technical service.   360-403-7207


  • kc8adu
    kc8adu Solar Expert Posts: 50 ✭✭✭
    edited March 2020 #11
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    real easy to troubleshoot this.
    insert ammeter in pv input right at controller.i usually use the + lead.
    remember it may be live if you forgot to pull the disconnect first!
    reading low or no current?
    likely bad connection,panel,ect.
    reading near expected isc of the array?
    problem is in the controller input.