Just wondering if I’ve missed something here. I’ve got 100/20 MPPT controller with 850w on the roof of my van (yes, I need to upgrade to either another 100/20 or single 100/30) however i’ve noticed the Orion XS 50 and Solar will top of my 200ah lithium quickly and go into float - Brilliant!
However, I have noticed that the solar reduces down to zero when in float and the constant DC loads I have say max 3-4 amps will be drawn via the battery until the controller notices the voltage difference and then start charging via solar.
While having enough solar for say 200W just sits there idling.
Am I wrong in thinking with a 500A shunt it should use the solar over the battery?
Orion XS 50
100/20 Blue Solar
500A Shunt
(The shunt / 100/20 are VE Cabled to Venus) all are also connected via bluetooth network.
thanks for the reply. The SS is used for SOC. Ok I’ll remove the BT network for all bar the Orion as I have only two inputs for the VE cables - (Shunt & 100/20)
Based on your answer, I will have to invest in another shunt for the system to actively push for the 100/20 to cover the loads once the battery is in Float?
Remember with lithium batteries float is often set at say 13.5V whereas the resting fully charged voltage is 13.6V or slightly higher. Therefore, once the mppt is in float you will discharge a bit of energy from the battery before you get to float voltage. It is not like lead acid where it was OK to float at a voltage higher than the full voltage. With lithium, if you float above the full voltage they continue to charge and can be damaged. Just accept that once full, they come off completely full during float.
Thanks all, just thought they might be something in the code for the MPPT that would see the batteries are full - so stop charging cycle but also see through the shunt that there was a DC draw for the loads - and rather than waiting for the drop point would power the devices if solar was available.
Doesn’t matter tbh, was just wondering if I had everything setup or had missed something.
