Recently upgraded my system adding a Cerbo GX and now my MPPT 100/50 crashes when connected to the Cerbo.
My system:
Multiplus II 3000/12v
Blue Solar MPPT 100/50 (original controller has been in service for 3 years)
Blue Solar MPPT 100/50 - just added
Cerbo GX
Smart Shunt
Samsung Tablet using Victron Ap from QR code
Cerbo is connected to Multiplus via Ethernet cable with termination plugs
Smart Shunt and MPPTs connected to Cerbo via Victron VE cables
Battery is LiFePo4 self built with Eve cells and JBD BMS
When the MPPT 100/50 crashes I am able to connect with a VE Bluetooth sensor and get error code 21 which is the current sensor. Have checked the wiring to ensure no stray strands between the -ve connections. Once the controller is reset, it will function fine indefinitely until the VE cable is plugged in. Once the cable is plugged in, the control functions fine for an indefinite amount of time. Sometimes minutes, sometimes hours and will show its charge current as a sum with the other controller on the Ap.
Have used the Bluetooth Ve dongle or wi-fi to upgrade the software on all units to the latest versions.
No issues with the other identical but newer production 100/50.
Can’t help but feeling it’s a software compatibility issue?
It will run indefinitely. Was struggling to get it to work before leaving on our trip so reset the controller and left the VE cable unplugged. Ran for over 2 weeks fine. Just plugged it back in yesterday and it was working/reading fine until this am
Can you confirm these are genuine VE direct cables? Most issues I see like this are:
1.) Poorer quality copy (non-genuine) VE Direct cables being used.
2.) Damage to the VE Direct cable terminal Pins.
Do you have a genuine spare VE Direct cable you can try?
I take it you have swapped cables between the MPPT controllers to see if the same issue occurs?
Prior to this take a good look at the pins on the MPPT to ensure none are bent or out of place.
Yes, genuine cables. All new. Tried swapping. No bent pins.
It does read properly for a few hours and then errors out. Powering down the MPPT with the VE cable unplugged solves issues until we plug the cable back in.
guystewart
(Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager))
11
What is the specification of your Solar Array connected to the erroring MPPT controller ?
Number of panels, technical spec of panels, (Scc, Vi etc) the array configuration (series / parallel), as much detail as you are able to provide.
Does your VE Direct cable pass close (<2m) to any sources of RF (radio frequency) radiation, this can be such things as electric motors, antennas, current carrying electrical cables?
Have you used all of the VE Direct ports on your Cerbo?
Are you using VE Direct to VE Direct or VE Direct to USB cables?
It’s just that it has been known in various forums, that people either resolve their issue, but forget to let everyone else know what the fix was (this helps others in the future with the same problem). Alternatively people realise their own error and feel embarrassed about feeding back what the issue was. Once again, there is no judgement, we all make little mistakes or miss things. But feeding back really does help everyone and it does take a bigger person to put it out there to help others struggling with the same issue.
Failing that, the more information we can get, the more likely the hive-mind is to solve the problem!
Looking forward to pics and info when you’ve made camp and have wifi…
