Is my mpp solar controller dead

[EsQue]

Mpp solar 2424 LV HV Hybrid
Worked great for 15 days in smoke filled sky with 4x100w panels in series/parallel produced 30-36v
(Traveling north near Canadian border panels horizontal)
Stopped charging
No panel icon on on display
Batteries in series depleted to 23.7v
AC icon does not “connect” to batteries or load on monitor

Ian at USA mpp solar says increase pv voltage
Now wired all parallel to get 74.5v at panels
Still no panel icon or pv input

if it worked at 36 then stopped I would assume that 74 isn’t going to help
I believe the charge controller is shot

No settings were changed
No breakers or fuses tripped
Panels clean
All wiring solid
All feed back is appreciated

 

[DThames]

You didn't say if you have a BMS but can you see the battery voltage (measure it) at the battery connection of the Charger/Inverter? (make sure there is not an open circuit)

 

[EsQue]

Get the same reading on monitor as I do on my 100ah battleborns
23.7v

 

[DThames]

And you can measure your PV input on the charger terminals but the screen does not reflect that voltage? (double check polarity...someone had one backwards not long ago....showed zero PV volts)

 

[EsQue]

23.7v
Measured at battery posts
Measured at terminals at
As seen on monitor



PV input is 0v on monitor
But no panel icon appears
PV input at panels is now 74.5v
PV input on terminals at controller is 74.5v
Reading were 30-36v working fine all systems go
Charging and discharging
Then nothing

Ian at USA mpp solar had me double the voltage
Now all 4 panels are series only
Still nothing
AC also does nothing but at least AC icon appears on monitor

 

[DThames]

If you went from something to nothing and no broken wires on your input, it would seem (as you say) the charger is gone.

(edit....I wonder if it has an internal input fuse)

 

[EsQue]

Thanks for all the help
Can’t find a fuse or any direction for the fuse “replacement”
Also unsure why unless it burned through that would cause it to short no vibration from sitting still
Confusing
But still under warranty
I’ll see what mpp solar can do for me and post their remedy when all is fixed

could be something simple I am overlooking

thanks again

 

[EsQue]

Ian at MPP Solar, sent me a new board that contained a new charge controller.
Nothing obvious except a pair of wires in a connector didn't seem as if they were snapped into place correctly.
But this is used in a mobile environment, concerned now that things come loose while vehicle is in motion.
Even with it mounted on a foam pad to reduce vibrations.
Changed the board and now all is well. except Ian suggested that I increase my DC cutoff voltage.
I did as suggested but still no AM power without restart if batteries are depleted overnight.
Ian suggested more batteries. Same result with 3 Battle Borns.
Previously he suggested more panels to fix my original problem.
Even though it worked for 15 days with my original set up.
Doubling the panels did nothing.
I doubt that adding more batteries will do the trick.
My inverter (AC) does not come on automatically in the AM if I deplete my batteries overnight.
I have to shut it off and then turn the system back on to get AC power.
Seems like a great product but . . .
Ian was very helpful and I can't fault him.
Since I travel full time I can't just stop and wait for a vendor to send me my order.
SO. . . I'm getting the pieces for a duplicate system, (not MPP Solar) just in case this set up gives me more problems.
Redundancy.
A shame, because I depend on it for my business. A business that has me dealing with dozens of full time RVers.
When the discussion comes around to solar I have to be honest with them.
Ian, YES. But have a back up if dependability is vital.

I'm sure there are many DIY solar systems out there that work flawlessly with this system.
A loose wire fine, I dealt with it (for several weeks) I'm also sure that there are some lemons out there.
Hope this one isn't one of them.

If any more comes to light I will update this thread.
EsQue