Troubleshooting Your solar System
To troubleshoot a low producing array, I suggest the following:
1. Disconnect the array from the controller and put a meter on the wires to measure both the V and A.
2. If low in full sun, move to the connection at the T-branch and check the V and A there.
3. If low in full sun, Move to the solar panel pigtails and measure the V and A there.
4. If a panel is low in full sun without shading, the panel may need to be replaced.
5. If the measurements show full performance of the solar array, the problem is likely with the wiring from the controller to the battery bank.
6. Check the fuse between the battery bank and the controller. Check all wire connections for good connections.
7. If the meter indicates the panels are performing properly and the controller wires are secure, the issue could be that one controller is dominating the other controller. The low power controller could be sensing the battery V plus the solar V from the other array and prematurely going into float mode or just backing off power. If this is the case, I believe Victron has a communication cable that joins the controllers so they can communicate and balance appropriately.
Contact us:
Custom Marine Products
Tom Trimmer
248 705 8337
[email protected]
1. Disconnect the array from the controller and put a meter on the wires to measure both the V and A.
2. If low in full sun, move to the connection at the T-branch and check the V and A there.
3. If low in full sun, Move to the solar panel pigtails and measure the V and A there.
4. If a panel is low in full sun without shading, the panel may need to be replaced.
5. If the measurements show full performance of the solar array, the problem is likely with the wiring from the controller to the battery bank.
6. Check the fuse between the battery bank and the controller. Check all wire connections for good connections.
7. If the meter indicates the panels are performing properly and the controller wires are secure, the issue could be that one controller is dominating the other controller. The low power controller could be sensing the battery V plus the solar V from the other array and prematurely going into float mode or just backing off power. If this is the case, I believe Victron has a communication cable that joins the controllers so they can communicate and balance appropriately.
Contact us:
Custom Marine Products
Tom Trimmer
248 705 8337
[email protected]