Victron 100/50 no longer charging

[Eco Showboat]

Hello. I have 6 x 12V 175W Renogy flexible panels (in series/parallel to output 24v) charging a 24V battery bank using a Victron 100/50 which has worked fine for several years. Now am getting no charge (though "State" is at "Bulk") and the solar is showing 42V (it was typically at around 31V). If I unplug the solar panels the app still still shows 22V input (with nothing plugged in). If I leave the panels plugged in and unplug the batteries, the Victron goes dead. Any troubleshooting advice before I replace the unit? Thanks

 

[JanisD]

Standart troubleshooting steps are in chargers manual here starting with page 42.

Is the charger ON? Please, take look in Settings page?
Any system changes before the loss of charging?
And be advised that it could harm the charger if it's connected to solar but not to batteries.

 

[Eco Showboat]

@ JanisD. Thanks for that. I've tried a bunch of things - resetting to default, disconnecting from solar and batteries, etc. Wasn't aware that it could harm the charger if it's connected to solar but not to batteries. In any case am pretty sure the problem came before any disconnection…

 

[HarryN]

Perhaps check and see if the bms on the batteries has tripped.

I was given a 100 / 50 where the owner had accidentally wired it backwards to the battery and it blew it out permanently.

Edit - the 100 / 50, not the batteries.

 

[Eco Showboat]

@HarryN. Batteries are fine - they charged up from my shoreline.

 

[Eco Showboat]

Accidentally wiring backwards sounds like something I might do…

 

[HarryN]

Accidentally wiring backwards sounds like something I might do…

It happens to pretty much everyone at some point in time.

The most common mistake is that some solar charge controllers require very specific turn on sequence / wiring sequence or can be damage remarkably fast. Making life more exciting - the sequence is not the same for all brands.

 

[Eco Showboat]

That could be it then - just needs to be replaced?

 

[HarryN]

That could be it then - just needs to be replaced?

It could also be the panels have failed. Some local van owners have had flex panels fail suddenly.

Flex panels are kind of a consumable good for a couple of years vs decades.

Do you have access to some rigid panels that you can connect to just to test if that is what has happened ?

But it seems like your solar voltage is high enough and has gone into Voc given the numbers.

There are also software settings within victron components that could be incorrect, affecting the charging.

If you were here, then I would just have you come to my work shop and swap in a different controller, but obviously that is not going to work.

Sometimes swapping out the controller is the only way to tell what is going on.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

And be advised that it could harm the charger if it's connected to solar but not to batteries.

False. Victron MPPT can reliably operate without a battery connected and are also very adept at waking up batteries in BMS discharge protection mode by outputting voltage and current even when they don't sense a battery.

Accidentally wiring backwards sounds like something I might do…

It's been working for years, and it's showing battery voltage. Doesn't seem likely to me.

It could also be the panels have failed. Some local van owners have had flex panels fail suddenly.

Flex panels are kind of a consumable good for a couple of years vs decades.

Do you have access to some rigid panels that you can connect to just to test if that is what has happened ?

But it seems like your solar voltage is high enough and has gone into Voc given the numbers.

There are also software settings within victron components that could be incorrect, affecting the charging.

If you were here, then I would just have you come to my work shop and swap in a different controller, but obviously that is not going to work.

Sometimes swapping out the controller is the only way to tell what is going on.

This.

This is the troubleshooting dealers do when determining fault/warranty:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Pre-RMA_bench_test_instructions/114199-Pre-RMA_bench_test_instructions-pdf-en.pdf

 

[dopeassjackson]

False. Victron MPPT can reliably operate without a battery connected and are also very adept at waking up batteries in BMS discharge protection mode by outputting voltage and current even when they don't sense a battery.

So they know what voltage your battery is with out being hooked to it?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

So they know what voltage your battery is with out being hooked to it?

Okay. You really got me there. You do need to select the desired system voltage, i.e., 12V or 24V.



Once programmed, it will output the absorption or float voltage as applicable (depends on the rules you've established)

 

[Eco Showboat]

Well, Sunday IS a busy day on DIY solar power forum! just getting back to this now. Thanks for all these replies.
Yes, the 100/50 used to function with only the panels plugged in before.
Now it is dead unless the batteries are connected.
With batteries connected the solar input reads 0 amps, 0 watts, 42 volts (inexpicably high given the way the panels are connected).
Even stranger, the input still reads at 22v when I disconnect the panels.
I know the batteries are still functioning and charging (from my shoreline).
I have no other controller, and not many tools to test the panels, but have tried plugging in different individual panels and pairs of panels - they all register voltage, but no amps coming through…
The 100/50 is set up for charging 24v batteries at position 2 - no change there.

Is the 100/50 is just dead? It has served me well for 3 years in a very wet environment, so no objection to replacing it…

 

[Q-Dog]

Should have a 5 year warranty.

 

[Eco Showboat]

5 year warranty? Oh. Will check that out.