I have recently brought a solar kit. With a victon 175w panel and a victron mppt 75/15. Once installing it has worked for around 5 days. The last couple of days it produced nothing. Even though good sunny days
When looking into today I found the solar panel at 19v when testing disconnected from mppt. When introducing mppt it drops to around 13v. This causes the batteries not to charge.
Has the mppt failed?
Thanks
The Victron 175w panel should read ~23.7v when not connected (Voc) and ~19v at Vmp. Is it possible the panel is shaded?
I don't think it's shaded as I have moved vehicle during the day to get different voltages. And when it's getting dusk the voltage is less.
Why when introducing the MPPT the solar voltage drops so much ?
Thanks
Why when introducing the MPPT the solar voltage drops so much ?
Having nothing connected makes the panel run at Voc, the highest voltage it can. Connecting something like a controller will typically drop panel voltage. That is normal. The panel's voltage isn't normal.
I have moved vehicle during the day to get different voltages
Do you have a picture of this setup? Panel Voc really shouldn't change much in normal daylight. Panel current will change with different conditions.
@Joshuaafc1 I can see the MC4 connectors on your roof.
I would suspect 1 of them is not properly assembled. Causing high resistance.
Or the light is too dark, not enough output.
Perhaps a bad panel?
Or a bad controller.
My money is on a bad MC4.
Dont fall off your roof!!
Panel currently giving out 21.5v until introducing mppt. Then drops to 12.4v
Voltage is not a test. You have to load (current) test the panel / cabling.
test your solar panels. Follow the warnings, and dont fall of your roof!!
If the panel passes the test, do the same for the PV cables at your mppt.
Dont set fire to anything!!!!
I have tested the panel. Getting around 2A. The datasheet says 8.89A short corcuit current. I think its due to a dull day. When coving panel went down to 0.2A ish.
I think the panel is working correctly ?
I think the panel is working correctly ?
Panel is ok given the dull conditions.
Repeat the test at the mppt's pv terminals.
ZZzz...
@Joshuaafc1 1 last thing to check is that the PV terminals on the mppt are tight, or that the terminal has not been tightened onto any cable plastic insulation.
I have also tested direct at the panel leads and voltage is the same. 19.8v
I will not discount the switch as a potential contributing factor or even a bad connection. After operation and some heat being generated, connections may be not as tight anymore, especially if the torque settings of 0.75Nm were not strictly adhered too. Is the MPPT still correctly set up for 12V?
Mppt is set up to 12v on victron connect app.
