[RE-wrenches] Fried Classic150?

Tue May 31 10:43:48 PDT 2016

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
reosolar at 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-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On
Behalf Of *Aaron Mandelkorn
*Sent:* May-30-16 9:35 PM
*To:* RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at 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
www.offgriddepot.biz
970-596-3744
719-221-5249
reosolar at gmail.com

On May 30, 2016 8:43 PM, "Dan Fink" <danbob88 at 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 <reosolar at 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
reosolar at gmail.com

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