Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Aaron Mandelkorn]

Thanks Bob. We are using agm batteries and everything should have been
turned off including the battery box breakers before the customer left.  We
could deal with a few months of self discharge. The array was snow covered
at max tilt due to it being on a hillside and not tall enough. Controller
cycling and inverter brought the system down. This customer also refused to
have his generator hooked up to a auto start module for fear it would be
completely snow covered. Go figure. Pulling the batteries to see if they
are salvageable. Never working with diy homeowners again.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com


On May 31, 2016 2:12 PM, "b...@midnitesolar.com" 
wrote:



Aaron, lead acid batteries will "self discharge".  Letting them sit for
more than

a couple of weeks may not be that good for them as they can sulfate without
a good absorb

charge cycle every once in a while at least for a couple of hours.

The inverter and charge controller will always draw some power from the
batteries just being

connected.  This is due mainly to the internal auxiliary supplies and
microprocessors.  If the main battery

breakers were turned off when the customer left for the winter, the
batteries will still discharge

themselves and start to sulfate but the voltage dropping would not happen
quite as fast.


You might want to add a small backup generator and tilt the PV array more
vertical to help

shed the snow during the winter months if nobody is around to take care of
the system.
boB



On 5/31/2016 10:43 AM, Aaron Mandelkorn wrote:

Thank you everyone for your input. I am quite sure this controller was just
doing what it was supposed to do. The inverter disconnected from low
voltage and the solar modules were covered with snow for months. The
classic was trying to reconnect all this time and I believe acted as a load
on the batteries. Essentially the classic brought the system down but poor
design and actions by the customer are what led to this disaster. I will be
pulling the batteries and changing/ load testing at the shop. Hopefully we
didn't destroy this battery bank.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com



Hi Aaron,



A customer of mine had a very similar situation happen couple years ago,
except with the added fun of frozen batteries, split open and a resulting
mess. (system was installed by others without a proper battery box / spill
containment).



This fault was traced back to a failed MX60 controller that was not only
preventing solar input, but had a small parasitic load on the system that
was enough to discharge the batteries. Replaced controller, new batteries
(with spill containment!) and the system has been fine since.



Kevin



*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Aaron Mandelkorn
*Sent:* May-30-16 9:35 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches 
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?



The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers were
left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to power two
small AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so discharged to the
point of almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The inverter low battery
cutout was programmed to 48.1v and there are no DC loads.  Isn't the point
of lbco to protect against this exact situation? What could have brought
this bank down so low? I am wondering if my client may have reset the lbco
and other settings by throwing the inverter breaker by accident.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com



On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:

MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at
least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV
input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the
sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck
battery.


Dan Fink

Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute

IREC Certified Instructor™ for:

~ PV Installation Professional

~ Small Wind Installer

Executive Director, Buckville Energy

NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342






On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
wrote:

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access.
It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The
batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash
occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement
needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[b...@midnitesolar.com]

Aaron, lead acid batteries will "self discharge".  Letting them sit for 
more than


a couple of weeks may not be that good for them as they can sulfate 
without a good absorb


charge cycle every once in a while at least for a couple of hours.

The inverter and charge controller will always draw some power from the 
batteries just being


connected.  This is due mainly to the internal auxiliary supplies and 
microprocessors.  If the main battery


breakers were turned off when the customer left for the winter, the 
batteries will still discharge


themselves and start to sulfate but the voltage dropping would not 
happen quite as fast.



You might want to add a small backup generator and tilt the PV array 
more vertical to help


shed the snow during the winter months if nobody is around to take care 
of the system.


boB



On 5/31/2016 10:43 AM, Aaron Mandelkorn wrote:


Thank you everyone for your input. I am quite sure this controller was 
just doing what it was supposed to do. The inverter disconnected from 
low voltage and the solar modules were covered with snow for months. 
The classic was trying to reconnect all this time and I believe acted 
as a load on the batteries. Essentially the classic brought the system 
down but poor design and actions by the customer are what led to this 
disaster. I will be pulling the batteries and changing/ load testing 
at the shop. Hopefully we didn't destroy this battery bank.


Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com <http://www.reosolar.com>
www.offgriddepot.biz <http://www.offgriddepot.biz>
970-596-3744 
719-221-5249 
reoso...@gmail.com <mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>

Hi Aaron,

A customer of mine had a very similar situation happen couple years 
ago, except with the added fun of frozen batteries, split open and a 
resulting mess. (system was installed by others without a proper 
battery box / spill containment).


This fault was traced back to a failed MX60 controller that was not 
only preventing solar input, but had a small parasitic load on the 
system that was enough to discharge the batteries. Replaced 
controller, new batteries (with spill containment!) and the system has 
been fine since.


Kevin

*From:*RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org 
<mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org>] *On Behalf Of 
*Aaron Mandelkorn

*Sent:* May-30-16 9:35 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>>

*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers 
were left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to 
power two small AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so 
discharged to the point of almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The 
inverter low battery cutout was programmed to 48.1v and there are no 
DC loads.  Isn't the point of lbco to protect against this exact 
situation? What could have brought this bank down so low? I am 
wondering if my client may have reset the lbco and other settings by 
throwing the inverter breaker by accident.


Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com <http://www.reosolar.com>
www.offgriddepot.biz <http://www.offgriddepot.biz>
970-596-3744 
719-221-5249 
reoso...@gmail.com <mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>

On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink" <mailto:danbo...@gmail.com>> wrote:


MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start
charging, at least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a
sunny day, the PV input breaker had tripped, batteries were under
9v, no charging despite the sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up
with jumper cables from my truck battery.


Dan Fink

Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute

IREC Certified Instructor™ for:

~ PV Installation Professional

~ Small Wind Installer

Executive Director, Buckville Energy

NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342 


On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn
mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no
winter access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge
controller has failed. The batteries are completely
discharged. The classics screen will flash occasionally as
well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage
requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced
this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this issue.

Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com <http://www.reosolar.com>
www.offgriddepot.biz <htt

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Aaron Mandelkorn]

Thank you everyone for your input. I am quite sure this controller was just
doing what it was supposed to do. The inverter disconnected from low
voltage and the solar modules were covered with snow for months. The
classic was trying to reconnect all this time and I believe acted as a load
on the batteries. Essentially the classic brought the system down but poor
design and actions by the customer are what led to this disaster. I will be
pulling the batteries and changing/ load testing at the shop. Hopefully we
didn't destroy this battery bank.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com



Hi Aaron,



A customer of mine had a very similar situation happen couple years ago,
except with the added fun of frozen batteries, split open and a resulting
mess. (system was installed by others without a proper battery box / spill
containment).



This fault was traced back to a failed MX60 controller that was not only
preventing solar input, but had a small parasitic load on the system that
was enough to discharge the batteries. Replaced controller, new batteries
(with spill containment!) and the system has been fine since.



Kevin



*From:* RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Aaron Mandelkorn
*Sent:* May-30-16 9:35 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches 
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?



The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers were
left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to power two
small AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so discharged to the
point of almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The inverter low battery
cutout was programmed to 48.1v and there are no DC loads.  Isn't the point
of lbco to protect against this exact situation? What could have brought
this bank down so low? I am wondering if my client may have reset the lbco
and other settings by throwing the inverter breaker by accident.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com



On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:

MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at
least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV
input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the
sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck
battery.


Dan Fink

Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute

IREC Certified Instructor™ for:

~ PV Installation Professional

~ Small Wind Installer

Executive Director, Buckville Energy

NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342






On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
wrote:

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access.
It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The
batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash
occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement
needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out
what happened to cause this issue.

Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com




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Lis

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Kevin Pegg]

Hi Aaron,

A customer of mine had a very similar situation happen couple years ago, except 
with the added fun of frozen batteries, split open and a resulting mess. 
(system was installed by others without a proper battery box / spill 
containment).

This fault was traced back to a failed MX60 controller that was not only 
preventing solar input, but had a small parasitic load on the system that was 
enough to discharge the batteries. Replaced controller, new batteries (with 
spill containment!) and the system has been fine since.

Kevin

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Aaron Mandelkorn
Sent: May-30-16 9:35 PM
To: RE-wrenches 
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?


The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers were 
left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to power two small 
AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so discharged to the point of 
almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The inverter low battery cutout was 
programmed to 48.1v and there are no DC loads.  Isn't the point of lbco to 
protect against this exact situation? What could have brought this bank down so 
low? I am wondering if my client may have reset the lbco and other settings by 
throwing the inverter breaker by accident.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com<http://www.reosolar.com>
www.offgriddepot.biz<http://www.offgriddepot.biz>
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com<mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>


On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink" 
mailto:danbo...@gmail.com>> wrote:
MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at 
least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV input 
breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the sunny 
weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck battery.

Dan Fink
Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342



On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access. It 
appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The batteries 
are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash occasionally as well 
as a yellow light on this left front of the controller but wont turn on. Does 
the classic have a minimum voltage requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone 
else experienced this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this issue.

Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com<http://www.reosolar.com>
www.offgriddepot.biz<http://www.offgriddepot.biz>
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com<mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>



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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Jay]

Dan from Exeltech gave a really good explanation of how an inverter can 
actually start using power ( not loads) at a voltage well below the LBCO.  

It could also be a bad battery.  

Jay
Peltz power. 



> On May 30, 2016, at 9:35 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn  wrote:
> 
> The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers were 
> left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to power two 
> small AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so discharged to the point 
> of almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The inverter low battery cutout 
> was programmed to 48.1v and there are no DC loads.  Isn't the point of lbco 
> to protect against this exact situation? What could have brought this bank 
> down so low? I am wondering if my client may have reset the lbco and other 
> settings by throwing the inverter breaker by accident.
> 
> Aaron Mandelkorn
> Owner/Solar Specialist
> Renewable Energy Outfitters
> www.reosolar.com
> www.offgriddepot.biz
> 970-596-3744
> 719-221-5249
> reoso...@gmail.com
> 
>
> 
>> On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:
>> MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at 
>> least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV 
>> input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the 
>> sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck 
>> battery. 
>> 
>> Dan Fink
>> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
>> IREC Certified Instructor™ for: 
>> ~ PV Installation Professional
>> ~ Small Wind Installer
>> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
>> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
>> 970.672.4342
>> 
>>  
>> 
>>> On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn  
>>> wrote:
>>> Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access. 
>>> It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The 
>>> batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash 
>>> occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller 
>>> but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement 
>>> needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out 
>>> what happened to cause this issue.
>>> 
>>> Thanks
>>> 
>>> Aaron Mandelkorn
>>> Owner/Solar Specialist
>>> Renewable Energy Outfitters
>>> www.reosolar.com
>>> www.offgriddepot.biz
>>> 970-596-3744
>>> 719-221-5249
>>> reoso...@gmail.com
>>> 
>>>
>>> 
>>> 
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[b...@midnitesolar.com]

Yes, the 9V is because of the auxiliary power supply that powers 
everything inside. Not just the Classic of course.  Lots of voltages and 
various


power levels required to run these things.

And charcoal inside a Classic refurb !   Hmmm...  You can be sure...   
There  WILL be spankings !


boB


On 5/30/2016 7:43 PM, Dan Fink wrote:
MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start 
charging, at least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a 
sunny day, the PV input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, 
no charging despite the sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with 
jumper cables from my truck battery.


Dan Fink
Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342 


On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn > wrote:


Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter
access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has
failed. The batteries are completely discharged. The classics
screen will flash occasionally as well as a yellow light on this
left front of the controller but wont turn on. Does the classic
have a minimum voltage requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone
else experienced this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause
this issue.

Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com 
www.offgriddepot.biz 
970-596-3744 
719-221-5249 
reoso...@gmail.com 


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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[b...@midnitesolar.com]

Aaron, there may or may not be an explanation for WHY this happened. We 
really love it when there is one though.


But being electronics and especially power electronics, it can go up 
without rhyme or reason even though lots have


gone into catching failures before shipping units.  Four to eight hours 
of burn in is done on every charger...


This involves heating/cooling at regular intervals to get things to 
fail.  But sometimes it just happens.


Even cosmic rays can be the culprit if they happen to go through just 
the right place on a silicon die


in the power stage transistors.   Hard to catch one of those. Lightning 
of course and its HV electric


fields nearby are also possible.  Then again it could be a bad solder 
joint or component. i.e Workmanship.


In that regard, just shipping a unit can jar something loose.  We 
(Midnite) do a physical


slight shock test on every unit as well but, sometimes UPS and their 
gentle shipping


methods can shake something loose that should not have moved around.

Power products are very difficult to do for all the companies. Hopefully 
we can get


even better at catching failures at the factory before they get out.  
There is some of this


production and testing methods on a video on our web site that might 
give you an


idea of how we make these.  Front page, upper left corner as I remember. 
Factory tour

or similar.

boB


On 5/30/2016 7:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn wrote:


Thanks all for the replies. Battery voltage was 13v on this 48 volt 
system. How they drained so low I just don't know. Low batter cut off 
was set and there were no DC loads. Not to sure what to make if this. 
Will be contacting midnite tomorrow.


Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com 
www.offgriddepot.biz 
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com 

On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink" > wrote:


MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start
charging, at least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a
sunny day, the PV input breaker had tripped, batteries were under
9v, no charging despite the sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up
with jumper cables from my truck battery.

Dan Fink
Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342 


On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn
mailto:reoso...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no
winter access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge
controller has failed. The batteries are completely
discharged. The classics screen will flash occasionally as
well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage
requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced
this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this issue.

Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com 
www.offgriddepot.biz 
970-596-3744 
719-221-5249 
reoso...@gmail.com 


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L

Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Aaron Mandelkorn]

The more I think about this the stranger it seems. All system breakers were
left on before leaving for the winter. Inverter was also on to power two
small AC fans. How can a 48 volt battery bank get so discharged to the
point of almost complete depletion (13.7 volts). The inverter low battery
cutout was programmed to 48.1v and there are no DC loads.  Isn't the point
of lbco to protect against this exact situation? What could have brought
this bank down so low? I am wondering if my client may have reset the lbco
and other settings by throwing the inverter breaker by accident.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com


On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:

> MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at
> least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV
> input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the
> sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck
> battery.
>
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342
>
>
>
> On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter
>> access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed.
>> The batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash
>> occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
>> but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement
>> needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out
>> what happened to cause this issue.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Aaron Mandelkorn
>> Owner/Solar Specialist
>> Renewable Energy Outfitters
>> www.reosolar.com
>> www.offgriddepot.biz
>> 970-596-3744
>> 719-221-5249
>> reoso...@gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Aaron Mandelkorn]

Thanks all for the replies. Battery voltage was 13v on this 48 volt system.
How they drained so low I just don't know. Low batter cut off was set and
there were no DC loads.  Not to sure what to make if this. Will be
contacting midnite tomorrow.

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com


On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink"  wrote:

> MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at
> least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV
> input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the
> sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck
> battery.
>
> Dan Fink
> Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
> IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
> ~ PV Installation Professional
> ~ Small Wind Installer
> Executive Director, Buckville Energy
> NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
> 970.672.4342
>
>
>
> On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter
>> access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed.
>> The batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash
>> occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
>> but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement
>> needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out
>> what happened to cause this issue.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Aaron Mandelkorn
>> Owner/Solar Specialist
>> Renewable Energy Outfitters
>> www.reosolar.com
>> www.offgriddepot.biz
>> 970-596-3744
>> 719-221-5249
>> reoso...@gmail.com
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Dan Fink]

MPPT does need a minimum battery voltage to wake up and start charging, at
least 9 volts -- I once arrived at a remote site on a sunny day, the PV
input breaker had tripped, batteries were under 9v, no charging despite the
sunny weather until I woke the MPPT up with jumper cables from my truck
battery.

Dan Fink
Adjunct Professor of Solar Energy Technology, Ecotech Institute
IREC Certified Instructor™ for:
~ PV Installation Professional
~ Small Wind Installer
Executive Director, Buckville Energy
NABCEP Registered Continuing Education Providers™
970.672.4342



On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 5:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn 
wrote:

> Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access.
> It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The
> batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash
> occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller
> but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement
> needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out
> what happened to cause this issue.
>
> Thanks
>
> Aaron Mandelkorn
> Owner/Solar Specialist
> Renewable Energy Outfitters
> www.reosolar.com
> www.offgriddepot.biz
> 970-596-3744
> 719-221-5249
> reoso...@gmail.com
>
>
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Dana]

Any sign of escaped smoke? I had a Classic 150 go south this winter but the 
client lives in the house and caught it immediately. No visible damage on it 
the screen was blank.

The replacement was a used/refurbished unit with blackened inside front cover; 
client was not too happy and caught a verbal bashing for complaining from 
Midnite.

 



Dana Orzel 

Great Solar Works, Inc -  NABCEP # 051112-136

E - d...@solarwork.com  - Web - solarwork.com 

O - 970.626.5253  C - 208.721.7003

"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"  

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

 

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf 
Of Aaron Mandelkorn
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2016 5:59 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

 

Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access. It 
appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The batteries 
are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash occasionally as well 
as a yellow light on this left front of the controller but wont turn on. Does 
the classic have a minimum voltage requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone 
else experienced this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this issue. 

Thanks 

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com

   

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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[b...@midnitesolar.com]

Uh OH !!  Not good !

The Classic will turn on at around 9 volts DC input and will continue to

run down to something around 4.5 volts input.

So, maybe the batteries aren't "zero" volts at least.

You can wait until tomorrow to call in OR go to the www.midnitesolar.com 
web site


and start an on-line technical support request or, better... both.

boB


On 5/30/2016 4:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn wrote:


Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter 
access. It appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has 
failed. The batteries are completely discharged. The classics screen 
will flash occasionally as well as a yellow light on this left front 
of the controller but wont turn on. Does the classic have a minimum 
voltage requirement needed to turn on? Has anyone else experienced 
this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this issue.


Thanks

Aaron Mandelkorn
Owner/Solar Specialist
Renewable Energy Outfitters
www.reosolar.com 
www.offgriddepot.biz 
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reoso...@gmail.com 



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Re: [RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

[Jay]

Curious, what is the actual voltage and the nominal voltage?

Jay
Peltz power 

> On May 30, 2016, at 4:59 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn  wrote:
> 
> Hi all. I returned to a off grid site today after having no winter access. It 
> appears as though the classic 150 charge controller has failed. The batteries 
> are completely discharged. The classics screen will flash occasionally as 
> well as a yellow light on this left front of the controller but wont turn on. 
> Does the classic have a minimum voltage requirement needed to turn on? Has 
> anyone else experienced this?  I can't figure out what happened to cause this 
> issue.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Aaron Mandelkorn
> Owner/Solar Specialist
> Renewable Energy Outfitters
> www.reosolar.com
> www.offgriddepot.biz
> 970-596-3744
> 719-221-5249
> reoso...@gmail.com
> 
>
> 
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