Power non return to zero at night on a MPPT 250/60

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amrane asked Dec 17, '18

Power non return to zero at night on a MPPT 250/60

Dear all,

I use a MPPT 250/60 smartsolar with 2 x 1.5kWc (Voc 170V) solar panels and a 340Ah x 48V battery. On the MPPT, I notice that the current PV power non return to zero at night. It stays around 10-16W. Disconnecting PV panels using the PV braker don't change anything (it is not the moon light :).

If i use the remote plug to switch Off/On the charger, the unit return to 0W.

At night the PV voltage is around 50,6V (near the battery voltage currently 51,3V)

The FW is the last 1.37 version and the MPPT is 1or 2 month old.

Any Idea ?

Regards

MPPT Controllers power meter

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Answer 1 · 2018-12-17T20:45:58Z

markus answered · Dec 17, 2018 at 08:45 PM

My first thought was, I would be happy when my PV Panels would produce power at night. :o)

But that is not the way it should be. Do you have double checked your wirings?

This could also be a faulty unit somehow.

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Answer 2 · 2018-12-18T08:21:02Z

amrane answered · Dec 18, 2018 at 08:21 AM

I have done a double (and much more) wiring check. I don't remember seeing this earlier, the unit probably fall faulty.

But note that there is no error logged.

Is anyone from Victron reading this could explain the reason or confirm it should be a faulty unit?

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Answer 3 · 2018-12-18T23:14:12Z

markus answered · Dec 18, 2018 at 11:14 PM

Just a shot into the blue: Have you tried to connect the panels directly to the charger with no PV breaker connected? If not, give it a try.

When there is still power shown coming from MPPT, with PV wires disconnected from unit, I am sure you can make a warranty claim.

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Answer 4 · 2018-12-19T20:23:41Z

amrane answered · Dec 19, 2018 at 08:23 PM

Markus, you right, i will do last test this weekend, breaker, coupling diodes, etc... but according to me there is no alternative way to a warranty claim. Thanks for you support.

Please consider this screenshoot and be careful of the hour and you could see a night power production :)

screenshot-20181219-211532.png (120.8 KiB)

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Answer 5 · 2018-12-20T02:09:43Z

JohnC answered · Dec 20, 2018 at 02:09 AM

I've experienced this myself in the past on my 150/100, but not recently. It seems to have 'gone away'. In most cases, at sometime during the night, it would step down to zero. I thought maybe capacitance somewhere, and dismissed it as being of any importance.

As an avid reader of Victon blogs, articles & tech specs, I have seen such things explained by suggesting they're 'within tolerance' for the 'best effort' attempts to measure such without adding to the cost of the kit. I expected so, and accepted that explanation gracefully.

But I too prefer accuracy, and 'one day' I'll add a BMV, and expect it to be accurate.. :)

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Answer 6 · 2018-12-31T14:24:02Z

amrane answered · Dec 31, 2018 at 02:24 PM

So, I check everything : breaker, wiring, MC4 connectors, etc... Everything seems good.

@JohnC, currently my unit don't see any difference between day and night. The MPPT backlinght is always on (the sun is light up forever).

@Markus, this screen should be normal too in northern country during eternal day season ;)

As my unit doesn't work like that previously, it is probably partialy break down. I will see with my distributor how to do.

Thanks for your support guys and happy Near Year !

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markus ♦♦ commented · Dec 31, 2018 at 02:28 PM

Thank you, you too!

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Answer 7 · 2019-01-14T13:44:27Z

myshopsolaire answered · Jan 14, 2019 at 01:44 PM

Hello, we are the seller of the product, this case will not be fixed afar. We create a RMA to Victron Energy, they will take care about the problem.

Regards,

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amrane commented · Jan 15, 2019 at 03:31 PM

Thank you for your effective support !

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shingsam commented · Sep 27, 2021 at 08:22 PM

Hi, this same issue with my MPPT 150/85. How i can fix it ?

Help me please.

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