question

cc100983 avatar image
cc100983 asked

SmartSolar 100/50 limiting wattage to batteries at about 60W

Hello! First time posting here!

I have a SmartSolar 100/50 Charge Controller and three arrays of 3 x 100W panels in series-parallel for a total of 900W of solar.

I just installed the SmartSolar and the third array and it was working okay - was getting about 475W maximum on the roof of my camper. I was hoping for more, but it is almost September in Connecticut. Was permanently installing the third array and now the controller is stuck at about 60W of solar going into the batteries. That seems to be the output of one panel.

I have tested each array and getting 60V from each, so the arrays are working.

If I plug one array into the controller, I'm getting about 180-200W, then drops to 60W. I've done that for each array separately.

All three arrays connected I'm still at about 60W.

I've changed connectors, splitters, everything, and still only getting 60W.

Is there some sort of issue with the charge controller that's limiting the input into the batteries?

Thank you!

Chris

MPPT Controllers
3 comments
2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.

Alexandra avatar image Alexandra ♦ commented ·
@CC100983

What are the swttings and does your battery actually need a charge?

0 Likes 0 ·
cc100983 avatar image cc100983 Alexandra ♦ commented ·

Thanks for responding so quickly! Yes, the batteries are under 60%. Please see screen shots of the Status and Settings screenshot-20220831-161721.jpgscreenshot-20220831-161501.jpg

0 Likes 0 ·
cc100983 avatar image cc100983 Alexandra ♦ commented ·

@Alexandra After taking screen shots of this - it makes sense that the float and absorption voltage settings needed to be updated. I bumped them up to 14.5V for float and 14.9V for absorption. I have three Renogy Lithium batteries:

https://www.renogy.com/12v-100ah-lithium-iron-phosphate-battery-w-bluetooth/

Do you have any suggestions on how to update the settings? I would have thought the Victron setting for LiFePo4 would have adjusted correctly.

Thanks!

Chris

0 Likes 0 ·
1 Answer
stevenebraun avatar image
stevenebraun answered ·

This isn't an answer but a comment. I have a 100/20 MPPT and it's doing the same thing. 300W of PV, 59.6 VmP, 40% battery at 49.5V, and the MPPT is stuck on Float at 0.1A. Starts at 190W with 3 to 4 amps and tapers to nothing in 5 minutes. Driving me nuts and I am not new at this...

2 |3000

Up to 8 attachments (including images) can be used with a maximum of 190.8 MiB each and 286.6 MiB total.