Guru
Joined: 13/10/2014
Location: AustraliaPosts: 1877
| Posted: 04:35am 21 Apr 2024 |
I've been testing my code for my newly built Nano Controller after another complete rewrite, I'm also testing a new ATS, "Automatic Transfer Switch". The interface the Controller gives with the great hardware design by Wiseguy in the Nano Controller make this possible.
The ability to accurately control the point of inverter AC changeover, and the simple interface method on the Controller board, allows me to bypass the Commercial ATS devices with their separate setup menus and associated problems. The new Controller allows me to use a simple robust Changeover Switch controlled by the Nano PCB.
The amount of extra parts, power supply and wiring that this eliminates in the Inverter is amazing. The DC voltage set-points in the Nano controller are stable and very accurate. I can finely tune the Controller to handle the LiFePO4 bank correctly as voltage accuracy is a priority with such a small range of voltage change between 95% and 50% SOC. This new Controller does that.
I have coded "15" different status messages for Battery to Controller monitoring and fault status. I employ a First Trip-Hold logical sequence to accurately display the exact reason for the failure to start, or reason to trip, this eliminates out of sequence false messages indications. Certain charge and trip conditions that could cause an unwanted fast shutdown restart cycle with the old style of inverter controllers has now been eliminated.
The following shows the inverter running with the Toriod Fan on (tF) if the Heat-sink fan is on (hF) is displayed next to the tF fan position. I have tried to make use of the small amount of display real-estate available to display as much information as clearly as possible. So I'm happy with the result.
The ability to watch the Capacitor bank charging with battery input at power on is something I really like - Kudos to Poida and his simple LCD streaming code.
I know some of us here don't run our Toriods or Heat-sinks to the top of the nominal safe temperature Zones - so these setting shown will be reduced considerably - if my heatsink ever got to 40° it would mean I have a big problem as that heatsink is huge. I keep the toriod at around 50 deg max as it's around the max sweet spot and allows shorter fan time to hold it there. Yours will differ, I have 3 stacked cores, that's a lot of metal.
I wanted the Menu system to look clean and easily readable. Calibration values do not need to be displayed - you can't change them manually - but it's nice to confirm them - so menu item [ J ] displays them below the menu for quick verification when needed.
I hate having to change all values in the settings when I muck up the calibration during testing, so I have split the Inverter settings from the Calibration settings [ W and Z ], either can be restored without overwriting the other.
Test Mode, as Wiseguy said, is a great way to test and fault find. The Menus will change when the Link is in test mode, and a few extra settings are available whilst others are hidden. The LCD indicates Test Mode as well.
I have tried in vain to crash the inverter or trip it up - it's very impressive how well this little Nano works.
ATS "Automatic Transfer Switch"
Edited 2024-04-21 20:40 by KeepIS