Help! Inverter not happy.

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scottywales

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Oct 14, 2023

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7

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Wales

• May 1, 2024

• #1

Hi,

I've got an off grid 2 x 325watt panel system with a victron MPPT 100/50 charge controller and Victron Phoenix 12/800 inverter.

I was using x 110ah leisure batteries, I've changed to a single eco-worthy LifePO4 12.8v 280ah lithium.

The inverter has given up, I've changed the internal fuse.

Is the new battery too much for this setup?

Thanks,

Scott

 

M

MrThisIsME

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Aug 8, 2022

Messages

500

• May 1, 2024

• #2

Battery capacity should have no effect on the CC.
Does the battery have voltage (i.e. did it go into protect mode)?
Did it work, than gave up, or never worked?
Was the fuse bad?
More info needed and probably some work with a meter.

 

hwy17

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Santa Cruz, California

• May 1, 2024

• #3

The Phoenix died? That would be unusual.

It's possible that the batteries are in protection mode. BMS do this funny thing in some protection modes where they will still dribble enough voltage out the terminals to read with a multimeter, so that charge controllers can recognize the battery for charging, even when they are in discharge protection mode and will not allow an inverter to run.

Read the terminal voltage while the Phoenix is trying to start. I think it would drop while that happens if it's in protection mode.

 

M

MrThisIsME

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• May 1, 2024

• #4

hwy17 said:

drop while that happens if it's in protection mode.

Click to expand...

Protection mode should yield 0 volts should it not?

 

hwy17

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• May 1, 2024

• #5

MrThisIsME said:

Protection mode should yield 0 volts should it not?

Click to expand...

No that's the weird part. Some partial protection modes - charge enabled / discharged disabled - can still give voltage readings. The "leakage" is intentional so that the charger can see the battery.

 

S

scottywales

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Oct 14, 2023

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Wales

• May 1, 2024

• #6

How do I get the battery out of protection mode? Thanks

 

hwy17

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• May 1, 2024

• #7

If it's in low voltage protection mode then it should be charged. Maybe the MPPT could do it if connected while it has solar production.

Sometimes solar CC's have trouble and a grid charger is required.

 

S

scottywales

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Oct 14, 2023

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7

Location

Wales

• May 1, 2024

• #8

Thanks I'll give that a try.

 

seneysolar

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Dec 17, 2023

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Michigan

• May 1, 2024

• #9

What is the battery setting on your charge controller? Rotary Switch position 7?

You should look at the charge settings vs battery type and verify its compatible with your battery.

New battery with unbalanced cells wont like an attempt to fast bulk charge. You could be in an overvoltage scenario all the same if the settings are wrong and the CC is still trying to raise voltage. Disconnect CC and try only battery connected to inverter. Just a thought..