I'm unsure how you believe that your ignorance of proper panel string configuration translates to Signature Solar being a bad vendor?
If you bought a transmission rebuild kit for your Tacoma from Toyota and it didn't work after you installed it, would you expect Toyota to take the blame? Toyota doesn't include installation instructions with the rebuild kit - they assume if you order it you know how to install it or you will be taking it to a professional for installation.
Sizing panel strings is among the most simple of tasks completed when building a system. I bet there are over 200 threads on this forum alone regarding proper string sizing / layout. If researching this is beyond your ability then you should have hired someone to assemble the system for you. You bought Victron gear - very good quality stuff. Victron also has a TON of useful information regarding that gear on their web site - free to anyone who wants to download it. Have a look at this link:
MPPT 250/100 Manual Go to section 4.3 - PV Array. There are diagrams of panel string configurations, as well as a litany of instructions, warnings, etc.
I clicked the link above to the kit you purchased. There is a tab labeled "Kit Contents". In the list of included parts for the kit there is this:
2 x Staubli MC4 Branch Plug and Socket
Branch Plug MC4 PV-AZS4 and PV-AZB4 connectors use for connecting simple parallel or serial parallel connection of PV-modules. MC4s are often viewed as the standard connector in the solar energy industry.
The fact these are included in the kit should have been an indicator that panel layout was not intended to be a series-connection only configuration. You said you didn't receive them, which points to the next issue...
When you buy a bunch of stuff from any vendor, the very 1st thing you do upon delivery is verify the packaging is intact and undamaged, so you can refuse the shipment if the carrier
obviously damaged anything. The 2nd thing you should do is verify the parts listed on the packing invoice match what was delivered. The 3rd thing is to verify what was delivered matches what you ordered. Had you done that you would have realized they didn't ship the branch plugs. That discovery would likely have resulted in a conversation with Signature Solar, which may have turned into a discussion on why you needed them, etc. etc. etc.
As far as Signature Solar not "warranty replacing" the 250/100 - why would they? Victron states in the installation guide that over-voltage will damage the MPPT and is not covered by warranty. I get that the 250/100 is a very expensive unit so the lesson you learned is a tough one but - you blew it up. The only blame in that happening rests with you.
I have no dog in this fight. I've never purchased from Signature Solar so I cannot speak to their quality as a vendor. The fact you are here on this forum demonstrates you realize there's a lot going on with any of this stuff. I am certainly not criticizing you for your lack of knowledge - we all started at zero. However, I am criticizing you trying to place blame on anyone but yourself.
Flame suit on !!!!
