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smcwilliams avatar image
smcwilliams asked

smart solar 150/70 does not charge to rated capacity

I have a 150/70 with 8- 100 watt Renogy alike panels that test out at approximately 6 amps each. Rated output is 6.1 amps each. The array is two series strings of 4 panels that are paralleled to the controller with 6 gage wire. The run is 10 feet or so. Until recently suddenly the panels would output 800 watts at approximately 75 volts (varied) but now only output 400 to 450 watts. The panels have been tested and are within specification, the BMS 712 Victron seems to be tracking the charge total correctly leaving me the solar controller to be defective. As a note I have updated the firmware and seems to make no difference in the charging capacity.

Is it possible that the Victron 150/70 could have a component failure that would cause it to work at 1/2 capacity?

Any comments would be appreciated.


Steve

MPPT SmartSolar
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4 Answers
smcwilliams avatar image
smcwilliams answered ·

Attached is the 30 day output data if that would help.


Days ago Yield(Wh) Max. PV power(W) Max. PV voltage(V) Min. battery voltage(V) Max. battery voltage(V) Time in bulk(m) Time in absorption(m) Time in float(m) Last error 2nd last error 3rd last error 4th last error
0 10 2 83.37 14.22 14.87 0 1 169 0 0 0 0
1 0 2 82.72 14.22 14.9 0 1 694 0 0 0 0
2 10 141 83.05 13.83 14.91 0 1 699 0 0 0 0
3 10 7 83.08 14.18 14.72 0 1 696 0 0 0 0
4 0 21 83.74 14.18 14.72 0 1 698 0 0 0 0
5 10 49 83.82 14.07 14.73 0 1 701 0 0 0 0
6 20 57 83.28 14.18 14.73 0 1 707 0 0 0 0
7 30 61 82.7 14.13 14.65 0 1 710 0 0 0 0
8 20 85 84.19 14.18 14.73 0 1 713 0 0 0 0
9 10 13 84.07 14.2 14.69 0 1 692 0 0 0 0
10 1480 511 79.06 12.67 14.53 560 15 110 0 0 0 0
11 2440 499 72.71 12.71 13.89 667 0 0 0 0 0 0
12 2160 512 82.45 12.63 14.21 427 30 234 0 0 0 0
13 2380 429 75.4 12.36 13.85 378 30 280 0 0 0 0
14 640 424 83.99 12.56 14.54 189 3 513 0 0 0 0
15 1180 244 76.69 12.66 13.67 121 15 575 0 0 0 0
16 1570 356 74.87 13.02 13.61 418 120 143 0 0 0 0
17 1990 329 77.19 13.03 13.6 260 71 363 0 0 0 0
18 2490 419 75.12 0.01 13.95 522 14 0 0 0 0 0
19 2520 404 76.27 0.01 15.75 720 1 0 2 0 0 0
20 2310 344 74.85 13 13.88 718 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 2110 386 77.93 13.13 14.07 452 60 212 0 0 0 0
22 2010 416 75.68 13.14 14.15 460 60 205 0 0 0 0
23 1840 409 76.03 13.16 14.21 455 60 211 0 0 0 0
24 1640 423 76.2 13.16 14.21 365 60 300 0 0 0 0
25 1670 465 80.82 13.16 14.21 333 75 332 0 0 0 0
26 1540 419 81.13 13.16 14.21 512 60 135 0 0 0 0
27 1170 324 80.49 13.16 13.83 590 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 900 262 78.25 13.16 13.77 669 0 0 0 0 0 0
29 1350 473 77.58 13.18 14.21 337 60 343 0 0 0 0
30 1540 382 76.82 13.18 14.21 450 60 124 0 0 0 0
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tony-castagno avatar image
tony-castagno answered ·

To me it looks like your batteries are full over 14V min charge and the controller is appropriately cutting back into float mode.... if you drain your batteries down a bit, does it solve your problem?


Tony

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smcwilliams avatar image smcwilliams commented ·

Days 1-9 are on the converter plugged in to the house.

The location where I tested the panels all at 6 amps or better, is the same as the solar controller. 48 Amps x 17 volt operating would equal 816 watts not 400 to 500 watts.

It would indicate that the output should be 800 watts or so not 1/2 of that.

The batteries are lithium 3-100 AH 12 Volt Battleborn.

Everything was working great until one day it wasn't.

My question is: does the 150/70 Solar controller have electronics that could fail to cause 1/2 of the rated output of 800 watts?


Thanks to all for answering so quickly.


Steve

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Matthias Lange - DE avatar image
Matthias Lange - DE answered ·

The rated power is the power under standard test conditions (STC).
And I guess that you don't have this conditions at your location.

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Justin Cook avatar image
Justin Cook answered ·

@SMcwilliams, I'll note 3 things in particular:

1: The controller will only pull as much current from the array as it needs to charge the batteries. It's not going to pull 800w from the array to dump ~53-55A into your batteries when your battery bank is starting out at 13v or better... there's simply nowhere to put that much current - this could be part of what you're seeing.

2: Renogy products are known to be terrible. The controller is only seeing about half your array... so check your array output, wiring, fuses, and the panels themselves... I'd bet a half donut you find that either one side of your array isn't producing anymore or a few panels have gone out. Alternatively, check the wiring you're using to connect the panels to the controller: the Victron manuals are very specific (see attached) of the proper type of wire to use... and many solar companies include the wrong kind of wire (including Renogy, Windy Nation, and others).

3: Check the last 9 days, as your history is showing a vbatt that's way too high for a Battle Born, and should be causing the BB's BMS to shut down the batteries. You should never go over 14.6 when charging a BB; the BMS will shut down the battery charging at >14.7. I notice your BMS shut down on Day 19 and 18 as well... not specifically related to your issue, but it's a major problem in the making.


proper-wire-types-victron-spec.jpg (86.1 KiB)
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smcwilliams avatar image smcwilliams commented ·

Thanks for your obviously informed response. The panels all check out within advertised specifications.

The last nine days shows the batteries on a converter plugged into a 115 AC source. Those days cannot be considered in this case.

The system was functioning well until one day it was only giving approximately 1/2 of the rated output. I have 2 series strings of 4 panels each and when isolated show 1/2 of the reduced output approximately 200 watts.

The wiring is according to specification and the terminals connections appear to be solid. Although I did the install myself, the work appears to be within specification.

Again I ask the question, does the Smartsolar 150/70 have software or hardware that could fail to cause this problem.

This problem occurred suddenly and I am suspect of the Smartsolar device.

Thank you Steve

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Justin Cook avatar image Justin Cook ♦♦ smcwilliams commented ·

@SMcwilliams, it is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that this is a controller error - If you've checked all surrounding components/connections/etc, I recommend that you reach out to the authorized Victron dealer or distributor from whom you purchased the device, as they will have possibly additional troubleshooting advice for you and/or start the RMA request process if they determine, from that conversation, that the device is likely defective.

If you are uncertain where you purchased the device, you can also use this form, and by entering the device serial number, Victron will reach out to the dealer or distributor who sold it and ask them to get in contact with you.

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smcwilliams avatar image smcwilliams Justin Cook ♦♦ commented ·

Thanks Justin for your help on this

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