Very weird SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 readings?

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pgbsolar asked Nov 4, '23

Very weird SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 readings?

Hi All,

I have a very weird problem with my new setup:

-SmartSolar MPPT 100/50

-2 x 200w Renogy Flexible panels

-9m cable [designated as 6mm2, but I believe it to be 4.58mm2 wire 10AWG].

-2 x Lithium 100AH batteries

…where, if I have either panel attached by themselves - I get very similar readings per panel (as to be expected) - but If I attach them together in a series; the collection wattage is near on identical to that of just a single panel?

First Panel	Both Panels -


Second Panel -	Both Panels -

Note: I tested it many times in consistent light where it only varied by a watt or two after swapping from SINGLE panel, to DUAL panel (as can be seen above).

This obviously makes no sense to me, so I'm hoping the community has an idea why I'm generating the same power from 2 panels as I do 1? Is there some settings in the MPPT I need to address, as I'm really confused?

Thanks in advance, cheers Peter

MPPT SmartSolar Solar Panel smart solar set-up help

1panel1-screenshot-20231104-154021.jpg (410.4 KiB)

2both-screenshot-20231104-154046.jpg (407.7 KiB)

3panel2-screenshot-20231104-153857.jpg (410.9 KiB)

4both-screenshot-20231104-153811.jpg (410.2 KiB)

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Modifications Space

Node Red Space

Answer 1 · 2023-11-04T08:17:09Z

JohnC answered · Nov 04, 2023 at 08:17 AM

Hi @pgbsolar

Yes, something seems wrong. The mppt may not be tracking the Vmp, as those panel V's seem too high for typical panels. You could check against the panel specs for Vmp.

It should track when the panels are first connected (with battery connected first), then every 10 min thereafter. This can be clearly seen with spiking of panel V and I in Trends, and panel V should end up closer to the Vmp of the panel specs in good light.

It won't track if the battery target V (like Absorb) has been reached. It might pay to check with a multimeter that Vbat isn't being misreported for some reason.

Might be worth updating firmware (mppt and Connect) too, if not been done for awhile.

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Answer 2 · 2023-11-05T04:39:39Z

kevgermany answered · Nov 05, 2023 at 04:39 AM

There's a max charge current in the settings. What's this set to?

Have you set battery type to lithium?

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Answer 3 · 2023-11-05T05:53:59Z

Michelle Konzack answered · Nov 05, 2023 at 05:53 AM

What dies the MPPT show, if you connect the panels parallel?

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