I have installed an Orion XS into my camper and it was working fine. The last few weeks however I’d suspected something wrong since after a long drive the leisure battery wasnt topped up as far as I’d expected. After monitoring the app on the next journey I find it exhibiting this weird behaviour where the voltage fluctuates up to 16v and pulls the amps down to zero. The charge profile also alternates between bulk and Absorption. It keeps cycling like this infinately. The behaviour can be seen in the attached video. My settings are displayed at the end of the clip. Do I have a faulty unit or is there a reasobale explanation as to how I might fix this? I need to sort it asap as I have a euro trip planned in 2 weeks. Charging works fine via solar and 240v.
I have installed an Orion XS into my camper and it was working fine. The last few weeks however I’d suspected something wrong since after a long drive the leisure battery wasnt topped up as far as I’d expected. After monitoring the app on the next journey I find it exhibiting this weird behaviour where the voltage fluctuates up to 16v and pulls the amps down to zero. The charge profile also alternates between bulk and Absorption. It keeps cycling like this infinately. The behaviour can be seen in the attached video. My settings are displayed at the end of the clip. Do I have a faulty unit or is there a reasobale explanation as to how I might fix this? I need to sort it asap as I have a euro trip planned in 2 weeks. Charging works fine via solar and 240v.
UPDATE: So after reading many threads on this community it is apparent there are bugs with the Orion XS when connected to a Cerbo GX and the VRM network. So to eliminate that I have removed the VRM installation and reset the Orion to factory settings ( and disconnected from power for 5mins). The behaviour still exists but the weird 16.2v input thing has gone and it now displays the same behaviour at a 14v input.
You have a Smart Battery Sense. Is this in a VE Smart Network with the Orion. A common problem is having a GX wired device and a VE Smart Network at the same time can cause problems. Shut down the VE Smart Network of running.
However, your data has the most likely cause of your problem, the Orion gives 16.2V output and the battery gives 13.5V. Therefore you have a high resistance between your Orion and the house battery or the Orion and negative or the house battery negative and starter battery negative. Vibration is a key issue on vehicles so a loose connection, frayed wire, breaker or isolator not making good contact. Get your multimeter out.
If you search the forum, the most common cause of weird charger behaviour is poor wiring and this should always be the first thing checked.
Hi,
As the MPPT is also reporting the same high voltage, both are probably disconnected from the actual battery, probably by a BMS or something else that is supposed to protect the battery. Perhaps the maximum current is exceeded (as the voltage of the BMV does not suggest that the battery is full)?
Kind regards,
Thiemo van Engelen
Hi,
Thanks for your response.
Yes they were all in a VE Smart Network but as per my update I removed the GX, deleted the installation, logged out of VRM, powered down the Orion, reset to faactory settings. I still had the issue.
I don’t seem to be able to find a voltage drop in the wiring.
Hi,
Thanks for your response. The battery is an Eco-Worthy 100ah LiFePo4. Their website and technical data don’t seem to suggest it would shut down with a charge current of 50a! This is only 0.5c which Lithium should be able to take. I did however reduce the output on the Orion to 30a and the behaviour persisted. I could take it down to 15a and see if it makes a difference? I have an IP22 Ac-Dc charger that charges at 15a and I don’t get any issues. Also the Solar at 8a output charges with no issue, so the problem is isolated to the Orion for some reason.