Alex is right, the mppt has a max input current and a max input voltage. @Beenak47 you were exceeding the max input current which is why you didn’t get any more power. Fortunately exceeding the input current won’t break the mppt. If you exceed the max input voltage, you will break the mppt.
No offense to anyone, but this is a typical topic with incomplete info from the beginning where all of us jump to help and human error adds up and in the end… Well, let’s hope that the OP will have a happy ending.
Parallel strings on the same tracker should have the same string voltage. Using the same panels on all strings is best practice.
When you connect strings with differing string voltages the results will be unpredictable.
Sure, but can you clarify
I don’t see how that would be an issue (so long as the input voltage and current on the mppt isn’t exceeded.) It’d be a similar effect as one string in partial shade which happens all the time.
It’s totally fine, if one string makes 1000w and the other 600w the mppt works it all out - that’s the whole point of an mppt.
You are right, it will work. There will be power produced, the mppt will take care of that.
It’s just that your results may vary wildly and not live up to the expectations, resulting in more forum posts from people who don’t get the expected results.
Thanks for your help. Getting on towards 80yo & have been offgrid for over 40years.
Previous system was Xantrex & paired panels to 48v to reduce amperage for mppt.
Did the same with Easysolar 2 GX & all appeared to work ok until I recently upgraded to new panels & that when all this happened. Never tried running panels the way you have described. Will have to investigate further. Thanks again.
As a Victron forum we encourage best practice. While this isn’t always possible, it is important to be clear about risks and consequences of deviating from best practice, and not to gloss over detail.
There are many beginners who will just follow advice because they do not know any better, and because it is easier.
Bad or incomplete advice ultimately creates problems that manifest here as unhappy users.
2 Likes
Thankyou Alex, just read your answer & understand why they are not working.
1 Like