Hi Chris,
Bought mini end July, and could only set up PV panel and control unit initially. Checked and could connect to unit using local wifi.
End August was able to carry on and set up pipework and pump. Noticed message on control panel on phone that battery was too low to run pump.
Made sure wiring/connections were ok, and periodically turned on the wifi and rechecked over several days, but always same message. Tried 10 second testing the unused pipe circuit in case the message was spurious - the valve clicked, but nothing else.
Can't see any power information on my control panel, but tested the PV output ( at the connector ) - well over 15v. Next time I tried to look at the control panel, the unit turned on ( beeped ) but my phone wouldn't connect properly.
Eventually disconnected the control unit to bring into the house to upgrade the software via my wifi, to see if I could get more info, but now I can't get it to respond at all to the buttons.
Took the back off and tested the battery at its connection - approx 2v, so I'm guessing it's too flat to do anything. Took it back to the GH, and reconnected to the PV with the back off. A small blue LED immediately lit up, the connection points on the circuit board tested at well over 15v, and the battery connection points tested at well over 15v.
As I've never run the pump, and only periodically run the wifi, I'm wondering if everything I've done so far has used a combination of some residual charge on the battery when it arrived plus the power coming from the PV panel?
Unfortunately as I can't upgrade the software ( or even turn the unit on any more ) I can't provide more diagnostic data, but the control unit number is 84F291BD9710.
Can you help?
Cheers,
Ian
Hi Ian
Thanks for the diagnostic information, very handy. If the unit doesn't turn on even with PV in, then something is up. Potentially the power switch? You can short that with a wire or screwdriver to test.
The blue light shows that the battery is charging, which it would do even with power off. However, a battery showing 2V off-load might not recover.
If you can send the control unit to us, I'd be happy to look at it for you.
Chris
Thanks for the quick response Chris.
I'll pack it up and send it to you for proper testing, if you don't mind...
I'll bear in mind your useful tip for testing the on/off switch in future, but with only 2v on the battery I'm guessing I can't get much further. Even if I take the unit to my allotment ( the PV is fixed pretty thoroughly to the GH ), there's no wifi or 4G; so I can only really test the switch, and as you say that won't make any difference to the battery charging ( or not ), which appears to be the real issue.
You gave info on returning a control unit on another thread, so I'll follow those instructions.
Thanks for your help,
Ian
Hi Ian - my mistake, we did find that it was set to be a mains powered box not a solar, so it didn't go to sleep and the battery ran low. I've fixed that, fully charged the battery and run a test. All looks OK.
Hi Chris,
That makes perfect sense, explains why it seemed to have gradually drained despite being connected to the PV...
Thanks for your help!
PS did you by any chance upgrade the software while you were looking at it, or should I do that when it arrives back here?
Cheers
Ian
Bought mini end July, and could only set up PV panel and control unit initially. Checked and could connect to unit using local wifi.
End August was able to carry on and set up pipework and pump. Noticed message on control panel on phone that battery was too low to run pump.
Made sure wiring/connections were ok, and periodically turned on the wifi and rechecked over several days, but always same message. Tried 10 second testing the unused pipe circuit in case the message was spurious - the valve clicked, but nothing else.
Can't see any power information on my control panel, but tested the PV output ( at the connector ) - well over 15v. Next time I tried to look at the control panel, the unit turned on ( beeped ) but my phone wouldn't connect properly.
Eventually disconnected the control unit to bring into the house to upgrade the software via my wifi, to see if I could get more info, but now I can't get it to respond at all to the buttons.
Took the back off and tested the battery at its connection - approx 2v, so I'm guessing it's too flat to do anything. Took it back to the GH, and reconnected to the PV with the back off. A small blue LED immediately lit up, the connection points on the circuit board tested at well over 15v, and the battery connection points tested at well over 15v.
As I've never run the pump, and only periodically run the wifi, I'm wondering if everything I've done so far has used a combination of some residual charge on the battery when it arrived plus the power coming from the PV panel?
Unfortunately as I can't upgrade the software ( or even turn the unit on any more ) I can't provide more diagnostic data, but the control unit number is 84F291BD9710.
Can you help?
Cheers,
Ian
Thanks for the diagnostic information, very handy. If the unit doesn't turn on even with PV in, then something is up. Potentially the power switch? You can short that with a wire or screwdriver to test.
The blue light shows that the battery is charging, which it would do even with power off. However, a battery showing 2V off-load might not recover.
If you can send the control unit to us, I'd be happy to look at it for you.
Chris
I'll pack it up and send it to you for proper testing, if you don't mind...
I'll bear in mind your useful tip for testing the on/off switch in future, but with only 2v on the battery I'm guessing I can't get much further. Even if I take the unit to my allotment ( the PV is fixed pretty thoroughly to the GH ), there's no wifi or 4G; so I can only really test the switch, and as you say that won't make any difference to the battery charging ( or not ), which appears to be the real issue.
You gave info on returning a control unit on another thread, so I'll follow those instructions.
Thanks for your help,
Ian
Sent this to you tracked a week ago, but have heard nothing yet - have you received it / had a chance to look at it?
Cheers,
Ian
Yes, your control box arrived safely. Will send an email with more information soon.
Charlotte
I can't find any problems with your box, so I'll send it back and wait to see how it goes.
Chris
That makes perfect sense, explains why it seemed to have gradually drained despite being connected to the PV...
Thanks for your help!
PS did you by any chance upgrade the software while you were looking at it, or should I do that when it arrives back here?
Cheers
Ian
You're on the latest firmware :- )
Charlotte
Ian