Replacement terminals for SmartSolar 100/20

Modifications
, ,
1

Due to a loosened screw one of the terminals on the above unit has been badly damaged.

I’d like to swap out the 3 way terminal cluster.

Yes, part of the housing is going to need to be removed. Yes, it will be fiddly getting the soldering iron on the bottom of the PCB to remove the terminal.

Calipers tell me it seems to be a 9.5mm pitch spacing terminal block.

Closest I can find so far is this terminal

Anyone recommend something better?

2

Hi, they look ok, did you get round to replace them? If so, how did it go?
Cheers.

3

Waiting for them to ship. Found something closer / better. Will post my results.

1 Like
4

OK, found these terminals.

They are a match for size / pitch / look.

I’m an electronics repair guy and rate the repair difficulty at a 8/10 for most people.

  • You’ll need to cut away the blue housing over the terminals you are going to replace
  • Gently trim away the plastic of the terminals to expose the metal parts
  • Do not be tempted to cut the legs under the body - there are tiny PCB traces for the VE.Direct socket under here. Scratch them and kiss goodbye external communications
  • You’ll need a good hot iron, and fresh flux to remove the pins
  • I had luck pulling them up and out as well as cutting them short and pulling down (much harder)
  • Even with a good desolder gun I struggled to clear the vias (holes) - I cleaned with a 1mm drill bit
  • Cleaned both sides of the PCB with isopropanol, pre tinned the new terminal legs
  • Soldered with no issues
  • Made a nice 3D printed cover to replace the cut away section

Again, not a job for the faint of heart. Only recommended if you’ve got previous repair skill and really want to rescue it from land fill…

5

Well done and nice description :+1:

You should make your above post as solved that way when other people have this problem, they will have a chance or rescuing their unit assuming it’s not under warranty.

Again, not a job for the faint of heart. Only recommended if you’ve got previous repair skill and really want to rescue it from land fill…

Agreed and in most cases best to return to your nearest Victron Repair Center.
(NOTE to others reading this: as any work like this would probably invalidate the warranty) :face_with_raised_eyebrow: