William and Dan,
Unfortunately, the sophistication of the older MX60 controllers and its integration into the OutBack communication network was limited - there was always an issue with the amount of code space available. This has been addressed with the new FLEXmax 60 and 80 amp controllers however by using a much larger, more powerful chip and much better written software. This also allowed expansion of the data logging and some additional new features as well. The current OutBack control network is very sophisticated - particularly when the FNDC system monitor is included - it allows true amp-hour based recharging as well as "return amps" type control (i.e. charge until the actual current going into the battery tapers off while the voltage is held up at a specific voltage level). The data logging built into the FLEXmax controller lets you easily see how much time was spent absorbing and floating each day as well - which is very handy... The FLEXmax controller also responds to the "global" commands of the MATE to Float, Bulk and EQ. The MX60s had several software revisions (too many perhaps) - and most did not respond to the global BULK and EQ commands which were added later. Some of the early software revisions also did use the amount of time that it took to reach the ABSORB voltage level to decide how long to hold it there - but that was not ideal and it was changed early on. It was a problem with sulfated batteries which is why we got rid of that idea. If you provide our Tech Support guys and gals with the software revision of the MX60 and the MATE we can discuss the specifics of what your combination included. We also can upgrade the older MX60 controllers with the newer software - although its not possible to put the full FLEXmax software into an older MX60 unfortunately. Software upgrades on the MX60 controller vary with the age - but are inexpensive - and software upgrades of the MATE are free - we also pay for the return shipping to make it easier. Please call first to get an RMA number though to make it happen fast. Getting the PV array to contribute to the equalization when a generator is charging has always been tricky - this is usually caused by the battery not requiring much current from either source - so one tends to dominate. The question usually is "why are you running the generator if the PV array can do the equalization in the first place?" Its better to turn off the generator and let the PV alone do the EQ - the contribution of the PV array really doesn't cause a lightly loaded generator to use less fuel while equalizing... Let me know if you need any more detail on any of this or if you have ideas or problems you want to discuss. Christopher Christopher Freitas Director of Research and Development OutBack Power Systems, Inc. [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Tel 360 435 6030 Cell 360 202 4239 19009 62nd Ave NE Arlington WA 98223 USA www.outbackpower.com <http://www.outbackpower.com/> ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 3:48 PM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Charging with Outback 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 <http://millersolar.com/> License No. C-10-773985 _ MESSAGE CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. sections 2510-2521, is confidential, and may also be protected by attorney-client or other privilege. If you believe that it has been sent to you in error, please do not read it. If you are not the intended recipient,you are hereby notified that any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please reply to the sender that you have received the message in error, then delete it. Thank you.
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