ATTENTION: Please Read this cover letter BEFORE installing the Classic-SL For help with the Classic, Classic Lite or Classic-SL please see our how to videos and extended documentation. Please visit this website: www.midnitesolar.com/classic Before calling tech support, we recommend visiting this website for some of the most common issues. DANGER OF DEATH TO YOUR CLASSIC Warning with Tigo modules Solar Mode must not be used or the Classic will not survive.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Never Parallel 2 Classics onto one PV array. If 2 Classic’s have to be paralleled for wind or hydro (NOT SOLAR) there must be blocking diodes on each Classic. For Larger systems with Large inverters and or multiple inverters (like the Radian or XW+ for example) it is important to use appropriate sized cables and bus bars or damage to the inverters or charge controllers can occur.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 This Manual covers models Classic 150-SL, 200-SL & 250SL 3|Page xx -xxx-xx REV: A
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 The MidNite Solar Classic charge controller conforms to UL 1741, Safety for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, Second Edition, May 7, 1999 with revisions through January 28, 2010 and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 107.1: 2001/09/01 Ed: 3 (R2006) MidNite Solar Inc.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Battery Temperature Compensation....................................................................................................................... 19 Battery Temperature Sensor Installation ............................................................................................................... 19 Chassis Grounding ...................................................................................................................................................
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 This Manual covers Classic 150-SL, Classic 200-SL and the Classic 250-SL. It covers the installation, wiring and use of the Classic charge controller. WARNING Warnings signs identify conditions or practices that could result in personal injury or loss of life. CAUTION Cautions identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to the unit or other equipment.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 DC and Battery-Related Installation Requirements: All DC cables must meet local and national codes. Shut off all DC breakers before connecting any wiring. Torque all the Charge Controller’s wire lugs and ground terminals to the specs found on page 21. Copper wiring must be rated at 75° C or higher. Keep cables close together (e.g., using a tie-wrap) as much as possible to reduce inductance.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Classic SL Power Graphs & Sizing the Solar Array Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 8|Page xx -xxx-xx REV: A
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 The graphs above represent the max power output for a given input for each Classic. Using and understanding these power graphs will help maximize Classic’s output power and aid in selecting wire and breaker/disconnects. Notice that lower battery voltages and lower PV input voltages result in higher continuous output power. The PV voltages listed are for reference and are not intended to be the only PV voltages supported.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Unpacking the Classic SL When you receive your Classic you will want to unpack it and make sure everything is there and in good shape. Refer to Figure 1 Included in the Classic package should be: *Classic charge controller *Knock out covers 3 screened *Parts bag with stickers, Terminal block cover and silicone grease *User’s manual printed Email customerservice@midnitesolar.com for more information or if anything is missing or damaged.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 To remove the front cover of the Classic in preparation for installation, remove the 4 Phillips head screws with a #2 Phillips screwdriver. Lift the front half of the Classic casting off. You will need to unplug the display cable. It works the same as any phone cable. When installing the cover for the final time, squeeze a small amount of Silicone grease (Included in the parts bag) onto the metal pins of the male jacks on the Display cable before plugging them in.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Mounting the Classic directly to the E Panel: *Remove the front cover of the Classic. *Install the mounting bracket on the E Panel and start the upper mounting screw into the bracket, leaving it about half way out so you can hang the Classic on this screw. *Install the 1 inch close nipple into the E Panel as shown in the E-Panel directions. The 1” close nipple, 3 locknuts and 2 plastic bushings are included with each E-Panel. One locknut acts as a spacer.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Figure 6 Install locknut here to act as a spacer. Wiring the Classic SL WARNING: Shock hazard. Disconnect the batteries and input power before opening the Classic front cover. ALWAYS use proper Over current devices and disconnects on the PV+ and Battery + at the Classic (MidNite DC breakers work well for both).
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 The Classic SL should be wired by a qualified professional and needs to meet all applicable electrical codes. Always make sure all source and battery circuits are de energized and wait 5 minutes before working on the wiring in the Classic. The Classic has 2 common neutral (negative) terminals. Therefore, only one neutral conductor is required to run from the E-Panel and terminate on either (or both) common neutral terminal.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Diagram 1 Explanations 10 = Solar Modules (PV) 11 = DC Combiner (Like our MNPV6 or MNPV12 for example) 12 = MNSPD300-DC (Surge protection) 13 = MNSPD300-AC (Surge protection) 14 = MNSPD300-DC (Surge protection) 15 = DC breaker for the Inverter (Also serves as a disconnect for the Inverter) 16 = DC breaker for the PV into the Classic (Also serves as a disconnect for the Classic) 17 = DC breaker for the Battery into the Classic (Also serves as a disconnect for the Classic)
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Diagram 1 16 | P a g e xx -xxx-xx REV: A
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 DC Terminal Connector Figure 7 The Classic's DC terminal connector is located on the circuit board as shown in figure 17. The connector will take up to a #4 AWG. #4 AWG THHN when installed in the Classic and MidNite E-Panel is rated for over 100 amps and is therefore suitable for the highest power available from the Classic 150-SL. After installing the wires for the last time snap in the blue cover that is included in the parts bag.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 The USB cable, BTS cable and auxiliary input/output cables should run in a different conduit to preserve their signal. When installing the Classic in a MidNite E-Panel, it is acceptable to run all wiring through the same knockout hole. It is legal to run signal and power wires together as long as all wiring is listed for the highest voltage to be encountered. (Follow all local code) Current Rating The Classic limits the output current based on the model you have.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Battery Temperature Compensation A remote battery temperature sensor (BTS) can be purchased separately. This sensor raises or lowers charge voltage based on temperature. Connect BTS to the BATT TEMP jack. (Refer to Battery Temperature Sensor Installation 20) The Battery temperature menu appears as T-Comp in the BATTERY MENU. In this menu you can change the voltage compensation as needed.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Figure 8 Insert BTS to the jack labeled BATTERY TEMP on the control board.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Chassis Grounding In all installations the Classic chassis should be connected to ground. For systems with a battery breaker sized 60 amps and smaller, 10 AWG (6 mm2) copper is generally sufficient. For systems with a battery breaker sized 100 amps and smaller, 8 AWG (10 mm2) copper is required. For grounding conductor requirements on your specific installation please consult your local electrical code.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 DC GFP (Ground Fault Protection) The Classic has internal ground fault protection (GFP) built in. Since 2008, the NEC requires a DC-GFP on all PV systems in the USA. The built in DC-GFP eliminates the need to purchase and install an external DC-GFP. If the internal grounding jumper is installed in a Classic, the battery negative and DC source negative must not be connected to the system grounding conductor anywhere in the system.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Disabling GFP The GFP feature should only be disabled to operate the Classic in an ungrounded power system or in systems where GFP is not required.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Float A Float cycle follows after the Absorb cycle is completed; Float is displayed on the screen. Battery voltage is held at the float voltage set point. Equalize The Equalization function can be manually initiated or can be set up to Auto Equalize. The intent of an Equalization charge is to bring all battery cells to an equal voltage by a controller deliberate overcharge.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 battery manufacturer. To adjust these voltages follow the steps below. Press Main Menu to enter the Main Menu Scroll right or left until Charge is highlighted and push the Enter button Highlight Volts and press the Enter button Use left and right arrow keys to highlight the set point voltage to adjust Use up and down arrow keys to lower or raise the voltage Press the Enter button to save the new voltages.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Scroll to the right and highlight the current Mode than use the up and down arrows to set the mode you want. Take note of the Right soft key most modes have some set points that can be adjusted. Press the Main Menu button until you get back to the Mode Menu Set the ON/OFF to ON and press Enter The following Modes will appear in this order in the MODE Menu.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Uploading New Firmware to the Classic The Classic has the ability to have its firmware updated with a standard USB cable and a Windows based PC. The USB cable is Standard to Mini B. Please see www.midnitesolar.com and click on the Software tab for the firmware and instructions. Due to the various different Windows configurations we will not go into detail in the Classic Manual.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Troubleshooting / FAQs How do I do a software Factory Restore on my Classic or Classic SL? *Note this only works on the Classics with Displays not a Classic Lite with the MNLP (LED Panel) *Warning this will erase ALL settings.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Classic will not power on. No Fans or life on power up.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 How do I verify Follow Me is working properly? The Fans seem way to loud Updating the firmware and the Classic went well but the MNGP will not update Classic goes to absorb at too low of a voltage Classic goes to absorb at too high of a voltage *You should first go to the Main menu and then into the “Temps” menu and verify all controllers are seeing the Battery Temp from the one with the BTS plugged in. *You should also see a blue LED flashing inside the top vent.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Classic goes to Float to early *Make sure End Amps is not set to high causing the Classic to go to Float (End Amps is in the Charge menu and the way it works is if the charge current falls below the End Amps setting AND the Classic is in Absorb the Classic will go to Float. Setting End Amps to 0 will disable it.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 My Classic says “Set date and time” on the display I have a WBjr and the SOC% is not showing on the main status screen I don’t see a WBjr status screen or I don’t see all the settings shown in the manual? My State of Charge seems inaccurate? Classic says “Arc Fault” on the display and is making a loud beeping noise My Classic Lite has ALL of its LEDs blinking slowly 32 | P a g e *Verify you are not setting the date and time with the local app without time sync off i
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 My Classic Lite has the left hand 3 LEDs blinking on the LED panel When I make changes to my Classic Lite with the Local App they do not appear to stay My Time gets out of whack on the Local App when the Classic Lite is powered down and back up I am having trouble getting my Classic Lite on the network *This indicates wrong code, If you recently updated code you may have updated with the wrong model code.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 I cannot find an uninstaller for the Midnite firmware updater? What is the PASSWORD for the Classic? I hear a singing sound coming from my Classic, Sort of a high pitched whine that varies I have a classic that came with a grey “Magnum” Battery temp sensor can I replace it with a Midnite blue one? How can I verify that all my fans work on My Classic? How do I find the “Wizard”? My fans run all the time no matter what the Classic is doing I remotely mounted my MNGP (disp
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 My Label is gone or I mixed up my covers how do I know what model Classic I have? I can’t read my serial # sticker how can I find my serial # How do I know what Nominal voltage my Classic is programmed for? I have Aux1 programmed properly but I cannot get 12v out of it when I should? I was in the middle of a firmware update and the update got interrupted what do I do? Can I use wind and Solar on a single Classic? Can I have more than one Classic on a single battery? Do I
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Electrical Specifications Model Classic150-SL Classic200-SL Classic250-SL Operating Volts in 150VDC 200VDC 250VDC Max Hyper VOC 150+battery 200+battery 250+battery *Battery Charge Volts 12-93 volts 12-93 volts 12-93 volts **Absolute Current Output at 25°C 96a at 12v battery 94a at 24v battery 83a at 48v battery 74a at 12v battery 70a at 24v battery 65a at 48v battery 60a at 12v battery 62a at 24v battery 55a at 48v battery 80 amperes 66 amperes 52 a
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Specifications Mechanical Figure 13 37 | P a g e xx -xxx-xx REV: A
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Classic Breaker sizing Table38 7 |P age xx -xxx-xx REV: A
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Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Table 8 42 | P a g e xx -xxx-xx REV: A
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Glossary of Terms Absorb – Constant voltage charge stage to fill the batteries. The controller is regulating so maximum power will not be seen at this time. The Absorb timer is also counting down to the switch to Float. Aux – Auxiliary relays. The Classic has 2 relays: Aux 1 can be configured as a 12 volt signal or a dry relay, Aux 2 can be used as a PWM signal output. Refer to page Error! Bookmark not defined. for more Aux info. BLK – Bulk MPPT Mode.
Classic SL owner’s manual REVB 2056 Mode – This menu lets you turn the charging ability of the controller On / Off as well as lets you select the DC input source. See page 23 for info on the Mode menu. Mod Bus – a standard protocol used for communications. We have published our protocol to allow users to interface with the Classic. See www.midnitesolar.com for our Mod Bus protocol. Pwr Save – Allows you to adjust the time the Backlight stays on.
