diy solar

diy solar

RockPals 300W PS - Not working

K

KMTS

New Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2020
Messages
4
Hi,

First time post, not sure if this is the right location for this.

I have a RockPals 300W PS that is only staying on for about 3 seconds and then shuts off.

It happens with the lights and each power option.

Has anyone else experienced this...the unit is less than a year old.

Thank you.
 
Is it still under warranty? If so I'd contact them about a return.
 
svetz said:
Is it still under warranty? If so I'd contact them about a return.
Click to expand...
Yes, they replaced the unit for me, but I am more concerned about why it happened. I would hate for the 2nd unit to fail when I needed it.
 
Could be a bad BMS. I have noticed the BMS goes bad very easily when being charged using AC. DC is best option for charging for longevity. When the same thing happened to my unit I noticed that the battery was overcharged. Bleed some of the power off to the normal 12.6 volts and under and it worked like it should. One of my units run with the inverter on 24 hours a day for over a year and no issues. Charging using solar. Another unit I have (that I described) I was charging using AC and the voltage went up to 13.4 volts. USB outputs turn off after turning on after few seconds. AC inverter would turn itself off after few seconds. I had to take off the cover. Then use cable connected to the inverter battery screws and drained the battery to 12.4 volts and everything was fine ever since.
 
Lewi said:
Could be a bad BMS. I have noticed the BMS goes bad very easily when being charged using AC. DC is best option for charging for longevity. When the same thing happened to my unit I noticed that the battery was overcharged. Bleed some of the power off to the normal 12.6 volts and under and it worked like it should. One of my units run with the inverter on 24 hours a day for over a year and no issues. Charging using solar. Another unit I have (that I described) I was charging using AC and the voltage went up to 13.4 volts. USB outputs turn off after turning on after few seconds. AC inverter would turn itself off after few seconds. I had to take off the cover. Then use cable connected to the inverter battery screws and drained the battery to 12.4 volts and everything was fine ever since.
Click to expand...
I have only charged the station with AC maybe twice...I like to charge it will the solar panel. I haven't noticed any over charging, the unit stops charging at 12.6 volts, at least that's what the display reads. Right now the unit is at 11.9 volts and won't stay on. Appreciate the help.
 
Last edited:
Do you have a load on the unit? It does apparently have an auto-shut-down feature that measures its outputs, if lower than 1W (AC), 1.2W (DC), 0.25W (USB) then it shuts down after 10 hours but there is a FAQ stating, "Q: Will it be auto-shut down once charging low watt device? A: Yes, it will. However, for this issue, we update it. It will be shut down after 10 hours once you don't use it...".

Maybe your unit has not been 'updated'?

Does the unit have the ability to update its own firmware?
 
tictag said:
Do you have a load on the unit? It does apparently have an auto-shut-down feature that measures its outputs, if lower than 1W (AC), 1.2W (DC), 0.25W (USB) then it shuts down after 10 hours but there is a FAQ stating, "Q: Will it be auto-shut down once charging low watt device? A: Yes, it will. However, for this issue, we update it. It will be shut down after 10 hours once you don't use it...".

Maybe your unit has not been 'updated'?

Does the unit have the ability to update its own firmware?
Click to expand...
I have tried it with a load on and no load...it turns on for a few seconds and just turns off. I contacted rock pals and they said nothing about updates...I just sent a video of what was happening and they sent a new unit. So they offered me no other solutions. Didn’t even ask for the old unit back.
 
KMTS said:
Hi,

First time post, not sure if this is the right location for this.

I have a RockPals 300W PS that is only staying on for about 3 seconds and then shuts off.

It happens with the lights and each power option.

Has anyone else experienced this...the unit is less than a year old.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I had one a month short of 2 yrs same problem. They sent a new one complete in box with accessories and all even though it was a yr warrantee when I got mine.. after proving date of purchase \invoice number..and that I had bought it thru amazon ..now I'm trying to replace the bms in the old one..they didn't want it back
 
replaced the old bms with an apex gold 60a for 12 bucks. seems to work and fit fine except i havent charged with solar yet..does anyone know without my taking it apart again..how many volts go from the built in mppt to the bms input ?? i noticed bms' s only list the 12.6v as input and some 12 to 16...dont want to over volt it on solar..been working great charging on ac and shutting off @12.6v..question not reply..may be posted wrong..
 
pogus said:
I had one a month short of 2 yrs same problem. They sent a new one complete in box with accessories and all even though it was a yr warrantee when I got mine.. after proving date of purchase \invoice number..and that I had bought it thru amazon ..now I'm trying to replace the bms in the old one..they didn't want it back
Click to expand...
Did you successfully replace the BMS,? I have the same problem.
 
pogus said:
replaced the old bms with an apex gold 60a for 12 bucks. seems to work and fit fine except i havent charged with solar yet..does anyone know without my taking it apart again..how many volts go from the built in mppt to the bms input ?? i noticed bms' s only list the 12.6v as input and some 12 to 16...dont want to over volt it on solar..been working great charging on ac and shutting off @12.6v..question not reply..may be posted wrong..
Click to expand...
I think I need to replace the BMS on mine. Any advice on what steps I need to take?
 
Coco said:
I think I need to replace the BMS on mine. Any advice on what steps I need to take?
Click to expand...
I'm interested as well. Mine shuts down after about five seconds. Currently working with Rockpals but it's an ebay purchase from a defunct seller and it's 18 months old. We'll see what they do, just emailed them. Otherwise, I'd love to know how to replace the BMS as that seems to be the problem. This occurred after prolonged charging on AC but I've got it down to 11.6v and it still won't stay on.
 
Coco said:
Did you successfully replace the BMS,? I have the same problem.
Click to expand...
apex gold 60a..works great..also bought a few bad units off ebay and replaced the bms also....3 of the five fixed other two had other problems..took out battery packs and am experimenting with a multi battery pack built into a plastic carry case..homemade rockpals..bms bought from cybershop_cleveland. good seller..helpful
 
Much appreciated. Just purchased and will give it a shot. If you come across any pics of installation that would help as well. Regards..
 
make sure it clears when putting back in case..will fit..plug cable uses 2 wires only now connected to plus and minus screws of battery output..not necessarily same colors on all models this one was black and yellow...black negative.. other wires dead ended..capped
KMTS said:
I have tried it with a load on and no load...it turns on for a few seconds and just turns off. I contacted rock pals and they said nothing about updates...I just sent a video of what was happening and they sent a new unit. So they offered me no other solutions. Didn’t even ask for the old unit back.
Click to expand...
no software upgrade.the main board has been replaced /updated in the newer models with a slight difference..to the monitoring circuit.both boards are interchangeable with difference being the bms type that is attached on battery ..both bms still have issues..both will use same bms repair when needed. the older auto shut off model just cant be used for refridgerator wont cycle back on..nice they sent a new one..i have some of both and they work the same except for the auto off. ...sometimes turning it on then plugging in the load will work..input and out put of bms should read the same unless bms is bad ..will shut off because of unbalanced batteries
 
Last edited:
Brilliant and thanks. I'll let you know how it comes out. Really appreciate the information. Having a dead piece of expensive equipment is not exactly ideal.
 
pogus said:
make sure it clears when putting back in case..will fit..plug cable uses 2 wires only now connected to plus and minus screws of battery output..not necessarily same colors on all models this one was black and yellow...black negative.. other wires dead ended..capped

no software upgrade.the main board has been replaced /updated in the newer models with a slight difference..to the monitoring circuit.both boards are interchangeable with difference being the bms type that is attached on battery ..both bms still have issues..both will use same bms repair when needed. the older auto shut off model just cant be used for refridgerator wont cycle back on..nice they sent a new one..i have some of both and they work the same except for the auto off. ...sometimes turning it on then plugging in the load will work..input and out put of bms should read the same unless bms is bad ..will shut off because of unbalanced batteries
Click to expand...
Got it done and it works perfectly, thanks for the tips. Only problem is that I arced something while charging and now it won't charge on AC. Any input there would be equally great.
 
Is this the thing I’m replacing? With the bms below it??
Looking at the pictures from the previous posts. I understand where most of the wires go. Except for the white strip. And those three black pairs.
btw… same problem. On for 3 seconds then off. Thoughts?
FE38E177-A168-44BD-946E-85DF8EB54BE5.jpeg
 
todped said:
Got it done and it works perfectly, thanks for the tips. Only problem is that I arced something while charging and now it won't charge on AC. Any input there would be equally great.
Click to expand...
I’m trying to figure out where the black pairs of wires go. And the white wires. See my pic. Thoughts?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

B
EVE LF280k V3 A- Doesn't absorb down to .10A EBC Tester room for concern?
Replies
7
Views
271
Steve_S
Steve_S
Bannsco
EG4 18KW will not pull PV power
Replies
17
Views
547
ksmithaz1
ksmithaz1
American-Thunder
18kPV Notice/Warning light and random AC shutdown
Replies
10
Views
491
American-Thunder
American-Thunder
D
SMA STP5.0 Tripower not starting up
Replies
0
Views
226
dave772
D
A
2 X 24V self build JK 7S40P Frankenstein Batterys, Can they run in Parallel?
Replies
3
Views
285
ADi-HiDef
A
Back
Top