Hi, while looking into issues with my batteries I have discovered that my MPPT RS 450/200 is drawing 160Amp spikes from the batteries whenever the solar panels are switched off or it is night time. The spikes are regularly spaced at around 104 seconds. The size of the current spike seems abnormal to me.
I have included 2 files from my independent data logger showing the issue.
I was wondering if this is normal or anyone has seen this behaviour before.
I have isolated it down to the 450/200 being in sleep mode. It doesn’t matter if anything else is connected. You just need to switch the solar array off and you will get the 160amp current pulses. All you need to have this happen is the MPPT and a Battery. I have noticed that the period between pulses is not precise and neither is the current pulse. It’s 160amps every 114seconds or 138amps every 104seconds and seems temperature dependant.
I have now made current pulse measurements at the MPPT rather than the battery bank. The new measurements include current supplied to the MPPT RS from capacitors in the Mains inverters.
This adds about 25Amp to the total taking it to over 180Amps (delta Y)
I haven’t traced the source of the audible sound of the pulse but given I will be removing the MPPT RS it’s not worth any more effort. The following positive 60amp spike always occurs but again can not be bothered chasing it up.
This is not a design for Victron to be proud of given the large current pulses are external to the MPPT RS ensuring it does not play well with other components in a system.
