An electrician installed in my cabin a victron 12/3000 inverter and a 250160 mppt with six 70 Amp Hour lead acid batteries and seven 140 Watt solar panels, but failed to make it work.
The mobile phone app suggests that it has 14kWh stored up but refuses to supply it to the consumer unit.
What is clear is that the chap has no clue what he is doing and neither do I.
Do I need other bits of equipment ?
Is there a wiring diagram of a system that actually does something?
Andrew Werrell
Which app is showing 14kWh of capacity?
With 6x 70Ah at 12V your system only has around 5kWh (2.5kWh usable).
Please add some more details about the system and maybe add some pictures and screenshots.
https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Inverter_Smart/en/index-en.html
https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Manual_SmartSolar_MPPT_150-60_up_to_250-70/en/index-en.html
https://www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/VictronConnect_Manual/en/index-en.html
Matthias
Thank you very much for getting back to me.
I live in Somerset and the cabin is in Berkshire so I need to go over there to take some photos, probably next week.
The system has a 10kVa generator which is the only bit that works.
The app is on my Iphone that was downloaded with the inverter.
The not very clever chap that connected things up so far seems to have put a password into the app. Is there a way of changing that?
Kind regards
Andrew Werrell
Depends on how old the inverter is.
For a long time the default PIN was 000000 (6x zero) but that was changed a while ago and now every device has it’s own PIN.
That PIN can be found on a sicker inside or on the back of the device.
There is also a PUK code to reset the PIN to 000000.
Matthias
Finally got over to the studio and took the attached photographs, I( hope you can make something of them!
I tried the code 000000 but the app was having none of it and would not open on my phone.
When I arrived the MPPT was showing a blue continuous light.
I pressed the button on the inverter and it showed three lights and then switched off and also turned off the blue light on the MPPT.
I tried the ATS switch on both manual and automatic but it did nothing.
I am a left handed 77 year old and the inverter was installed by a thirty year old right hander so I am unlikely to open the case!
Kind regards
Andrew Werrell
PHOTOS-Density.pdf (329 KB)
Matthias
Did you manage to deduce anything from the photos that I sent earlier?
Kind regards
Andrew Werrell
Hard to tell, but isolate the PV charger and try with the inverter only. Can you measure the voltage on the batteries as they may have run down?
Looks like the solar charger battery connection is wired to the inverter battery terminals. If the blue light on the charger goes out when the inverter is turned on, then either the battery fuse is blown or incorrectly wired, or the batteries are not good. Looks a shoddy job for a professional install. I would demand that the installation either be rectified, or the install fee be refunded.
Thanks for your help.
I am having no luck finding anyone ;local to HUNGERFORD in Berkshire to rewire my system, d you have a list of victron approved installers
Regards
Andrew Werrell
Sorry - I don’t - I’m on the other side of the world.
Matthias
I have a
Regards
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
At first glance there would not seem to be a problem.
One point to be aware of with using large inverters (>1200W) on a 12V system is the very high bus currents involved. With inverter efficiency taken into account, you will be looking at ~300A currents, and needing to limit voltage drop. Large cables will be needed, and attention paid to terminal connections.
Having had a look at the wind system on Amazon, I would be wary about putting any solar through the Chinese wind controller, The Victron MPPT unit would provide better service. Ensure that the dump load for the wind system is well protected from flammable surfaces, as this can get very hot.