my Victron Smart IP65 Charger (15A/12V) used to work fine. Today I updated the firmware as suggested by the app. Prior to updating, I charged my first car, which worked fine.
Unfortunately, after the update, the charger won’t work properly. First it stays pretty long (about 1 minute) in test mode, which it never has done before. Then it switches back and forth between bulk and absorption mode (every few seconds). The voltage stays below 12.8V and current under 1.0A. It pretty much doesn’t do anything.
Even the power supply mode won’t do anything. This has worked before aswell.
I received an email in relation to this problem. I relied to the email but I then received an email saying my response was blocked because I sent it from my other email address and, for some reason, this was blocked at the Victron end.
My email in response to the questions asked was:
"The serial number of my charger is HQ20419AV24
The test phase seems to stay on for along time and sometimes doesn’t progress further.
On other occasions (most of the time) after the test phase it goes to bulk then to abs then back to bulk then back to abs continually every few seconds. This happens on all different batteries at all different charge states.
It started happening straight after updating to firmware v3.61."
If you want to continue by private email please let me know how to do so.
We’ve analysed these failures, and they are caused by a hardware defect, and even though rather coincidental, they are not caused by the recent v3.61 firmware update; and also downgrading to an earlier firmware version will not solve the issue.
The described behaviour points to a component internal to the unit that has failed.
Note that all chargers for which the v3.61 firmware update is available are still within their 5 year warranty term.
To get support, including a replacement in case necessary, there are two ways to get it resolved: either (1) contact your supplier directly, or (2) submit a Support Request. Submitting such request will also put you in touch with your supplier/dealer. On that form please check the box for a suspected hardware issue. Also include a link to this forum thread in the fault-description section.
It does appear strange that this fault has appeared for quite a few following firmware update
Mines under guarantee however I’m away for Xmas and dealer wants to check for fault prior to dispatching new unit so I’ll be with out abilty to charge batteries on Xmas getaway
Would dealer send new unit in strength of this post so I can get fitted then return faulty item so Xmas trip is not ruined
Thanks for repsnse though you
My defective device has been replaced under warranty.
I updated the new device to 3.61 and it still works, so either it’s not a firmware issue (which I absolutely cannot believe) or it’s a firmware issue due to an incompatibility with older hardware revisions?
Coincidentally after the recent firmware updates all three are now no longer charging and flipping between bulk and absorption.
Do I have to make a claim for all three?
I’ve previously had one of three go bad I think due to heat. I now run a fan over them when in 15A mode. The one of three I had replaced under warranty.
Are we sure the firmware isn’t related to this? Three chargers all from different dates fail all at once ?
See update below. Exact same issues with same model charger purchased Feb 2024. Worked perfectly until a few days ago following the firmware update to 3.61. Will follow links provided.
Update 3 Jan 2025: I logged a support request. This was referred by Victron to the local dealer who made contact with me. I have returned the unit and waiting their decision.
Update 7 Jan 2025: My unit was tested, found to be faulty and has been replaced under warranty.
Thankyou to Victron and the local retailer.
I also experienced this problem after the firmware update on all four my chargers. No way it can be a hardware defect. Unless the defect was build in at manufacture and the previous firmware worked perfect regardless of this “defect”. If I knew I could just have kept using it as is with no issues … now it will take me a lot of time and money to get them replaced, if at all I can get past the suppliers who probably is not even informed of this defect? This is not acceptable.
I also have v3.61 and it was toggling between bulk and storage since the December update.
It has now changed to Storage since the update a few days ago.
Everything is working fine now.
I don’t remember when I last updated my charger. Maybe the update didn’t complete correctly in my case. If v3.61 is the latest version from a few days ago, is it possible to upload a previous version of the firmware and then update it again to the latest one?
guystewart
(Guy Stewart (Victron Community Manager))
21
To clarify for the many replies since Matthijs’ post;
Since firmware release v3.61, the behaviour of the chargers with this hardware fault will be more apparent.
The difference in behaviour appears when the battery is not fully charged and the charger will keep toggling every few seconds between bulk and absorption. This is also visible on the charger itself as the LED indication the switches between Bulk and Absorption.
This change in behaviour is not the cause of the fault, nor is it a result of the firmware update.
A charger that is showing this characteristic still had this fault in its hardware before the firmware update, and downgrading the firmware will not remove the hardware fault.
It just was not apparent on the LEDs. Degraded charging performance is the same in both cases.
So the advice remains the same as in Matthijs’ post from December, if this behaviour is seen the charger is faulty and needs to be replaced under warranty.
