William,
I'll let others speak to the global EQ issue. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the degree of "intelligence" in networked OB systems.
The MX CC's use "time to Bulk Voltage" to determine absorption time. Here's what I think is happening: If you initiate a bulk charge mid day with already close-to-full batteries, the voltage will rise to bulk set point quickly. The MX is default set to only Absorb for as long as it took it to get voltage up to bulk. (This can exacerbate undercharging on sulfated batteries, too). The solution is to go into the advanced menu and set a minimum absorption time appropriate to the battery size, array size, and typical charging conditions. Surrette recommends at least 1 hour on larger battery banks, to avoid short absorption times on MX's. Slightly higher risk of electrolyte consumption, though, especially on systems sitting unused.
-Dan Rice
Abundant Sun, LLC.
--- [email protected] wrote:
From: William Miller <[email protected]>
To: RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Charging with Outback
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:55:33 -0800
Friends:
We have been noticing that when equalizing generator fed VFX systems with MX60 charge controllers, even though we initiate a global EQ command, the MX60s stop EQing in short order. I was told by Outback this is normal. This does not seem right to me.
Also, we seem unable to force a bulk cycle with the MX60s on a sunny day, no generator. They go into bulk and then drop out in a matter of minutes.
Have any of you experienced this anomalous behavior? Have you found any solutions?
Thanks in advance.
William Miller
Please note new e-mail address and domain:
William Miller
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600 Fax: 805-438-4607
email: [email protected]
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985
_
I'll let others speak to the global EQ issue. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the degree of "intelligence" in networked OB systems.
The MX CC's use "time to Bulk Voltage" to determine absorption time. Here's what I think is happening: If you initiate a bulk charge mid day with already close-to-full batteries, the voltage will rise to bulk set point quickly. The MX is default set to only Absorb for as long as it took it to get voltage up to bulk. (This can exacerbate undercharging on sulfated batteries, too). The solution is to go into the advanced menu and set a minimum absorption time appropriate to the battery size, array size, and typical charging conditions. Surrette recommends at least 1 hour on larger battery banks, to avoid short absorption times on MX's. Slightly higher risk of electrolyte consumption, though, especially on systems sitting unused.
-Dan Rice
Abundant Sun, LLC.
--- [email protected] wrote:
From: William Miller <[email protected]>
To: RE-wrenches <[email protected]>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Charging with Outback
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:55:33 -0800
Friends:
We have been noticing that when equalizing generator fed VFX systems with MX60 charge controllers, even though we initiate a global EQ command, the MX60s stop EQing in short order. I was told by Outback this is normal. This does not seem right to me.
Also, we seem unable to force a bulk cycle with the MX60s on a sunny day, no generator. They go into bulk and then drop out in a matter of minutes.
Have any of you experienced this anomalous behavior? Have you found any solutions?
Thanks in advance.
William Miller
Please note new e-mail address and domain:
William Miller
Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600 Fax: 805-438-4607
email: [email protected]
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985
_
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