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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>William and Dan, </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>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. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>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. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>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. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>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. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>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… </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Let me know if you need any more detail
on any of this or if you have ideas or problems you want to discuss. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Christopher</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Christopher Freitas</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Director of Research and Development
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>OutBack Power Systems, Inc.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><a href="mailto:cfreitas@outbackpower.com"><font
size=3 color=black><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>cfreitas@outbackpower.com</span></font></a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Tel 360 435 6030</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Cell 360 202 4239</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><font color=black><span style='color:black'>19009 62<sup>nd</sup>
Ave NE</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'> </span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><font color=black><span style='color:black'>Arlington</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'> </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'>WA</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'>
</span></font><font color=black><span style='color:black'>98223</span></font><font
color=black><span style='color:black'> </span></font><font color=black><span
style='color:black'>USA</span></font></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'><a href="http://www.outbackpower.com/"><font
size=3 color=black><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>www.outbackpower.com</span></font></a></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:black'> re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>danrice@scinternet.net<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Tuesday, March 03, 2009 3:48
PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> RE-wrenches<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [RE-wrenches]
Charging with Outback</span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>William,<br>
<br>
I'll let others speak to the global EQ issue. I'm a bit underwhelmed by the
degree of "intelligence" in networked OB systems.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
-Dan Rice<br>
Abundant Sun, LLC.<br>
<br>
--- william@millersolar.com wrote:<br>
<br>
From: William Miller <william@millersolar.com><br>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org><br>
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Charging with Outback<br>
Date: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:55:33 -0800<br>
<br>
</span></font><font color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;
color:black'>Friends:<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Have any of you experienced this anomalous behavior? Have you found any
solutions?<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance.<br>
<br>
William Miller</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><u><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Please note new e-mail
address and domain:<br>
<br>
</span></font></u><font color=black face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;
color:black'>William Miller <br>
Miller Solar<br>
Voice :805-438-5600 Fax:
805-438-4607 <br>
email: william@millersolar.com<br>
<a href="http://millersolar.com/"><font color=black><span style='color:black'>http://millersolar.com<br>
</span></font></a>License No. C-10-773985<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>_ </span></font></p>
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