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Isolated SmartSolar MPPT RS

6. Troubleshooting

In this section:

6.1. Troubleshooting and support

For unexpected behaviour or suspected product faults, refer to this chapter.

Start by checking the common issues described here. If the problem persists, contact the point of purchase (Victron dealer or distributor) for technical support.

If you're unsure who to contact or if the point of purchase is unknown, refer to the Victron Energy Support webpage.

6.4. Solar charger externally controlled

The solar charger can be controlled by an external device. The external device can stop or reduce the charge current to the battery. This is not a fault but expected behaviour.

Managed batteries or an inverter/charger with an external control system like, for example, an ESS system, can control the solar charger via a GX device. The battery dictates if charging is allowed, and when charging is allowed, what charge voltage and currents are used. If external control is active this will be displayed in the VictronConnect app and also on the GX device.

The VictronConnect app indicating that the charger is externally controlled.

MPPTRS_External_control.png

6.5. Batteries are not being charged

This chapter describes situations where the charger is active, but the batteries are not being charged.

The VictronConnect app indicates that the charger is active and the charge voltage is correct, but the charge current is zero, or close to zero.

MPPTRS_Low_Solar_Power.png

There are a number of reasons why this can happen, namely:

  • The battery is full, and no more current is needed.

  • The solar charging is not connected to the battery (cable, fuse or circuit breaker issues).

  • Wrong configuration (voltage or current set too low).

  • The charger is externally controlled (ESS or DVCC). See the Solar charger externally controlled chapter.

  • The battery temperature is too high and temperature-compensated charging is active or set incorrectly, see the Wrong temperature compensation setting chapter.

  • Reverse PV polarity.

  • Reverse battery polarity.

6.5.1. Battery is full

Once the battery is full the solar charger will stop charging or will greatly reduce the charge current.

This is especially the case when at the same time the DC loads in the system are not consuming any power from the battery.

To find out what the state of charge (SoC) of the battery is, check the battery monitor (if present), or alternatively, check what charge stage the controller is in. Also, observe that the solar cycle is (briefly) progressing through these charge stages at the beginning of the daily charge cycle:

  • Bulk stage: 0-80% SoC.

  • Absorption stage 80-100% SoC.

  • Float or storage stage: 100% SoC.

Be aware that it can also be possible that the solar charger thinks the battery is full, while in reality, the battery is not full. This can occur when the charge voltages have been set too low, causing the solar charger to prematurely switch to the absorption or float stage. For more information see the Battery settings too low chapter.

6.5.2. Battery not connected

For the solar charger to be able to charge the battery it needs to be connected to the battery.

It might look like the battery is connected because the solar charger is able to operate without a battery connected and the VictronConnect app will show a battery voltage and a charge stage, but the charge current is zero or close to zero.

Possible causes of a disconnected battery:
  • Loose or missing battery cables.

  • Loose cable connections or badly crimped cable terminals.

  • A blown (or missing) fuse in the battery supply cable.

  • Open (or faulty) circuit breaker in the battery supply cable.

  • Missing or incorrectly wired battery cables.

Battery voltage check
  1. Use the VictronConnect app, a connected display or a GX device to read the solar charger battery voltage or use a multimeter to measure the battery voltage at the terminals of the controller.

    Caution

    Measuring battery voltage at the battery terminals of a solar charger should only be performed by a qualified electrical technician.

  2. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage at the battery terminals.

    Measuring battery voltage at the Battery
  3. Compare the two voltages.

  4. If the battery voltage and the controller voltage are different, then investigate why this is. Follow the path from the controller to the battery to investigate what could be the cause.

Battery connection check
  1. Check and verify that all cabling is connected correctly, and that no wiring mistakes have been made.

  2. Check if all cable connections are tight while taking maximum torque levels into consideration.

  3. Check if all cable lugs or cable terminals have been crimped correctly.

  4. Check fuses and/or circuit breakers.

    Note

    If a blown fuse is found, first ensure that the battery polarity has been correctly wired before replacing the fuse. See next paragraph for more information on reverse battery polarity.

6.5.3. Battery settings too low

  • In the VictronConnect app, navigate to the solar charger "Settings" menu and select the "Battery" menu.

  • Check if the "Max. charge current" value is set correctly and corresponds with the battery manufacturer's recommendation.

  • Check that the battery charge voltages are set according to the battery manufacturer's specifications.

MPPTRS_Check_voltages.png

6.5.4. Reverse battery polarity

Reverse polarity is when the positive and the negative battery cable have been accidentally swapped. The battery negative has been connected to the positive solar charger terminal and the battery positive has been connected to the negative solar charger terminal.

Note

Be aware that a red cable or positive labelled cable might not necessarily mean that the cable is indeed a positive cable. A wiring or labelling mistake could have been made during installation of the solar charger.

The solar charger is not protected against reverse battery polarity and any damage caused by this is not covered under warranty.

Caution

Always verify the battery polarity before reconnecting the battery wires to the solar charger.

6.5.5. Reverse PV polarity

As long as the unit is installed within the published specifications, the PV input is protected internally against PV reverse polarity.

In the case of reverse PV voltage, the solar charger will not indicate an error.

The only way to detect reverse PV voltage is by the following signs:

  • The controller is not charging the batteries, the charge current is zero.

  • The controller is getting hot.

  • The PV voltage is zero, or close to zero.

If this is the case check for reverse polarity using a multimeter by ensuring that the positive PV cable is connected to the positive PV terminal, and the negative cable is connected to the negative terminal.

Caution

Measuring PV voltage at the PV terminals of a solar charger should only be performed by an electrical technician.

6.10. Error code overview

The error codes are displayed on the VictronConnect app, display or connected GX device.

For the most up-to-date version of this list see this link: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/mppt-error-codes.

Notice

Note that not all of these errors might apply to your product. Some error types only apply to solar chargers, DC-DC chargers or AC chargers or are specific only to certain models within a charger group.

Error 2 - Battery voltage too high
  • This error will auto-reset after the battery voltage has dropped. This error can be due to other charging equipment connected to the battery or a fault in the charge controller.

Error 3, Error 4 - Remote temperature sensor failure
  • Check if the T-sense connector is properly connected to a remote temperature sensor. Most likely cause: the remote T-sense connector is connected to the BAT+ or BAT- terminal. This error will auto-reset after proper connection.

Error 5 - Remote temperature sensor failure (connection lost)
  • Check if the T-sense connector is properly connected to a remote temperature sensor. This error will not auto-reset.

Error 6, Error 7 - Remote battery voltage sense failure
  • Check if the V-sense connector is properly connected to the battery terminals. Most likely cause: the remote V-sense connector is connected in reverse polarity to the BAT+ or BAT- terminals.

Error 8 - Remote battery voltage sense failure (connection lost)
  • Check if the V-sense connector is properly connected to the battery terminals.

Error 11 - Battery high ripple voltage
  • High DC ripple is usually caused by loose DC cable connections and/or too thin DC wiring. After the inverter has switched off due to high DC ripple voltage, it waits 30 seconds and then restarts.

    After three restarts followed by a shutdown due to high DC ripple within 30 seconds of restarting, the inverter will shutdown and stops retrying. To restart the inverter, switch it Off and then On.

    Continuous high DC ripple reduces the inverter life expectancy

Error 14 - Battery low temperature
  • The charger is stopped to avoid charging LiFePO4 batteries at low temperature as this damages the cells.

Error 17 - Controller overheated despite reduced output current
  • This error will auto-reset after charger has cooled down. Check the ambient temperature and check for obstructions near the heat sink.

Error 18 - Controller over-current
  • This error will auto-reset. If the error does not auto-reset disconnect the charge controller from all power-sources, wait 3 minutes, and power up again.

    Possible causes for an over-current on the battery terminals:

    • switching on/off a very large load on the battery side.

    • sudden change in irradiance causing a temporary over-power in the mppt.

    • overloading the inverter ac output.

    Possible solutions:

    • if possible provide adequate cooling for the unit, a cooler unit can handle more current.

    • reduce the load on the inverter.

    • charge the battery before using the inverter, at higher battery voltages the same amount of power requires less current.

Error 20 - Maximum Bulk-time exceeded
  • For solar chargers:

    The maximum bulk time protection is a feature that was in the chargers when they were just released (2015 or earlier) and later the feature was removed.

    If you do see this error, then update to the latest firmware.

    If you then still have the error, perform a reset to factory defaults of the configuration, and reconfigure the solar charger.

Error 21 - Current sensor issue
  • The current measurement is out of range.

    Disconnect all wires, and then reconnect all wires, to make the charger restart. Also, make sure the minus on the MPPT charge controller (PV minus/Battery minus) is not bypassing the charge controller.

    This error will not auto-reset.

    If the error remains, please contact your dealer, there might be a hardware defect.

Error 22, Error 22 - Internal temperature sensor failure
  • The internal temperature measurements are out of range.

    Disconnect all wires, and then reconnect all wires, to restart the unit.

    This error will not auto-reset.

    If the error remains, please contact your dealer, there might be a hardware defect.

Error 27 - Charger short circuit
  • This condition indicates an over-current condition on the battery side. It can occur when a battery is attached to the unit using a contactor. Or in case the charger starts up without a battery connected but connected to an inverter that has a large input capacitance.

    This error will auto-reset. If the error does not auto-reset disconnect the charge controller from all power-sources, wait 3 minutes, and power up again. If the error persists the charge controller is probably faulty.

Error 29 - Over-Charge protection
  • This error will auto-reset once the battery voltage drops below the float voltage. To protect the battery from over-charging the battery is disconnected.

    Possible causes:

    • over-sized PV array configuration, if there are too many panels in series the battery voltage cannot be reduced any further. Consider wiring more PV panels in parallel to reduce the voltage.

    • configuration issue, check if the battery settings match with the installation (especially absorption and float voltage settings).

    • another charger in the system raises the battery voltage above the expected level.

Error 33 - PV over-voltage
  • This error will auto-reset after PV-voltage has dropped to safe limit.

    This error is an indication that the PV-array configuration with regard to open-circuit voltage is critical for this charger. Check configuration, and if required, re-organise panels.

Error 34 - PV over-current
  • The current from the solar-panel array has exceeded the maximum allowed current.

    This error could be generated due to an internal system fault.

    Disconnect the charger from all power-sources, wait 3 minutes, and power-up again. If the error persists the controller is probably faulty, contact your dealer.

Error 35 - PV over-power
  • Applies to the MPPT RS, Inverter RS and Multi RS products.

    Please upgrade your firmware to at least v1.08 as the issues causing this error have been addressed.

    If you are using firmware v1.08 or newer this error indicates that the internal dc voltage is too high. This error will auto-reset. If the error does not auto-reset disconnect the charge controller from all power-sources, wait 3 minutes, and power up again. If the error persists the charge controller is probably faulty.

Error 41 - Inverter shutdown (PV isolation)
  • PV panel isolation resistance too low. Check the PV array cabling and panel isolation, the inverter restarts automatically once the issue is resolved.

Error 42 - Inverter shutdown (PV isolation)
  • The ground leakage current in the PV array exceeds the allowed 30mA limit. Check the PV array cabling and panel isolation. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch.

Error 43 - Inverter shutdown (Ground Fault)
  • The voltage difference between Neutral and Ground is too high.

    Inverter or Multi (not connected to the grid):

    • The internal ground relay is activated but the voltage over the relay is too high. The relay might be damaged.

    Multi (connected to the grid):

    • The ground wire in the installation is not present or not connected properly.

    • Line and Neutral are swapped in the installation.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch.

Error 50, Error 52 - Inverter overload, Inverter peak current
  • Some loads like motors or pumps draw large inrush currents in a start-up situation. In such circumstances, it is possible that the start-up current exceeds the over current trip level of the inverter. In this case the output voltage will quickly decrease to limit the output current of the inverter. If the over current trip level is continuously exceeded, the inverter will shut down: wait 30 seconds and then restart.

    The Inverter can supply more power than the nominal power level for a short time. If the time is exceed the inverter stops.

    After three restarts followed by another overload within 30 seconds of restarting, the inverter will shutdown and remain off. To restart the inverter, switch it Off, then On.

    If the error persists reduce the load on the AC out terminal by switching off or disconnecting appliances.

Error 51 - Inverter temperature too high
  • A high ambient temperature or enduring high load may result in shut down to over temperature. Reduce load and/or move inverter to better ventilated area and check for obstructions near the fan outlets.

    The inverter will restart after 30 seconds. The inverter will not stay off after multiple retries.

Error 53 - Inverter output voltage
  • If the battery voltage is getting low and a large load is applied to the AC output the inverter is unable to maintain the proper output voltage. Re-charge the battery or reduce the AC loads to continue operation.

Error 54 - Inverter output voltage
  • If the battery voltage is getting low and a large load is applied to the AC output the inverter is unable to maintain the proper output voltage. Re-charge the battery or reduce the AC loads to continue operation.

    If the error immediately pops up when switching on the inverter (without load) on a full battery the cause is most likely a broken internal fuse.

Error 55, Error 56, Error 58 - Inverter self test failed
  • The inverter performs diagnostic tests before it activates its output. In the case that one of these tests fails an error message is displayed and the inverter does not turn on.

    First try to restart the inverter, by switching it Off, and then On. If error persists the inverter is probably faulty.

Error 57 - Inverter ac voltage on output
  • There is already AC voltage on the AC out terminal before switching on the inverter. Check that the AC out is not connected to a mains outlet or to another inverter.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch.

Err 59 - ACIN1 relay test fault

  • Automatic checking of the disconnect means failure. This usually indicates a broken relay (sticky contact) in the AC input stage.

Information 65 - Communication warning
  • Communication with one of the paralleled chargers was lost. To clear the warning, switch the charger off and back on.

Information 66 - Incompatible device
  • The controller is being paralleled to another controller that has different settings and/or a different charge algorithm.

    Make sure all settings are the same and update firmware on all chargers to the latest version.

Error 67 - BMS Connection lost
  • This error shows when the charger is configured to be controlled by a BMS, but does not receive any BMS control messages. In that situation, the charger stops charging by reducing its output voltage to the battery base voltage (12V/24V/36V/48V). This is a safety mechanism, the reason to still enable the output is to allow a system to self-recover from a battery low situation.

    Solar Chargers only show this error when there is solar power available and thus the device is ready to initiate charging. It does not show at night. And in case there is a permanent problem, the error will raise in the morning and clear at night, and so forth.

    Solution: check the connection between the charger and the BMS.

    How to reconfigure the charger to standalone mode:

    Our Chargers and Solar Chargers automatically configure themselves to be BMS-controlled when they are connected to one; either direct or via a GX Device. And that setting is semi-permanent: power cycling the charger will not reset it.

    When removing charger from such system, and reusing it in a system without BMS, that setting needs to be cleared. Here is how to do that:

    • Chargers with LCD display: go into the setup menu, and change setting ‘BMS’ from ‘Y’ to ‘N’ (setup item 31).

    • Other chargers: reset the charger to factory defaults with VictronConnect, and then reconfigure it.

Error 68 - Network misconfigured
  • Applies to SmartSolar/BlueSolar chargers VE.Can (FW version v1.04 or higher) and SmartSolar VE.Direct chargers (FW version v1.47).

    To clear the error on the SmartSolar VE.Direct chargers update the FW version to v1.48 or higher.

    To clear the error on the SmartSolar/BlueSolar chargers VE.Can, update the software. If the error persists, it will be because the charger is connected with both a VE.Direct cable and on VE.Can. That is not supported. Remove one of the two cables. The error will disappear and the charger will resume normal operation, within a minute.

    Background:

    Error 68 indicates that the charger detects multiple conflicting network sources, with the same priority, trying to send the same information to the charger. VE.Can and VE.Direct interfaces have both the same priority level, and BLE (using VE.Smart Networking) has a lower priority.

    Having a higher priority level means that, if the same information (e.g. Battery voltage sense) is being received from both VE.Can and BLE (using VE.Smart Network) by the charger, the information on VE.Can will be used and the one coming from BLE will be ignored.

    Now, if the same information is being received from two interfaces that have the same priority level (as VE.Can and VE.Direct), the charger does not know how to prioritize those, causing error 68 to be triggered.

Error 69 - Network misconfigured
  • Applies to Inverter RS and Multi RS models. Firmware versions 1.11 and higher.

    This error indicates an issue in the configuration. There are units present on the same can bus that have different system configurations. Please ensure that all units are set to either “Single Phase” or “Three Phase”. All units will remain off until the configuration is fixed, after which the units will resume operation.

Error 70 - Network misconfigured
  • Applies to Inverter RS models. Firmware versions 1.11 and higher.

    The Inverter RS model used cannot be paired with a Multi RS and/or Transfer Switch. Only Inverter RS models with a production code newer than HQYYWW can be used for this purpose. Only the incompatible Inverter RS units will remain off.

Error 71 - Network misconfigured
  • Applies to Inverter RS and Multi RS models. Firmware versions 1.11 and higher

    There are units present with incompatible firmware on the can bus. Make sure that all units are updated to the same firmware version. All units will remain off until the until the firmwares are updated, after which the units will resume operation.

Error 114 - CPU temperature too high
  • This error will reset after the CPU has cooled down. If the error persists, check the ambient temperature and check for obstructions near the air inlet and outlet holes of the charger cabinet. Check manual for mounting instructions with regard to cooling. If error persists the controller is probably faulty.

Error 116 - Calibration data lost
  • If the unit does not work and error 116 pops up as the active error, the unit is faulty. Contact your dealer for a replacement.

    If the error is only present in the history data and the unit operates normally this error can be ignored safely. Explanation: when the units power up for the very first time in the factory, it does not have calibration data and an error 116 is logged. Obviously this should have been cleared, but in the beginning units left the factory with this message still in the history data.

    SmartSolar models (not the BlueSolar models): upgrading to v1.4x firmware is a one-way trip, you cannot go back to an older firmware version once you upgrade to v1.4x. Reverting to older firmware gives error 116 (calibration data lost), this can be fixed by re-installing the v1.4x firmware.

Error 117 - Incompatible firmware
  • This error indicates that a firmware update did not complete, so the device is only partially updated. Possible causes are: device out of range when updating over the air, a cable got disconnected or power was lost during the update session.

    To fix this the update needs to be retried, download the correct firmware for your device from the Victron Professional Portal

    When your GX device is connected to VRM, you can do a remote firmware update using this firmware file. You can do this via the VRM website or using the VRM tab in VictronConnect. VictronConnect can also be used together with the firmware file to update using a Bluetooth connection.

    The procedure to add the file to VictronConnect and start the update is described here: 9. Firmware updates

Error 119 - Settings data lost
  • The charger cannot read its configuration, and stopped.

    This error will not auto-reset. To get it working again:

    1. First, restore it to factory defaults. (top right in Victron Connect, click on the three dots)

    2. Disconnect the charge controller from all power-sources

    3. Wait 3 minutes, and power up again.

    4. Reconfigure the charger.

    Please do report this to your Victron dealer and ask him to escalate it to Victron; as this error should never happen. Preferably include firmware version and any other specifics (VRM URL, VictronConnect screenshots or similar).

Error 121 - Tester fail
  • If the unit does not work and error 121 pops up as the active error the unit is faulty, contact your dealer for a replacement.

    If the error is only present in the history data and the unit operates normally this error can be ignored safely. Explanation: when the units powers up for the very first time in the factory, it does not have calibration data and an error 121 is logged. Obviously this should have been cleared, but in the beginning units left the factory with this message still in the history data.

Error 200 - Internal DC voltage error
  • The unit performs internal diagnostics when activating its internal DC-DC converter. This error indicates that something is wrong with the DC-DC converter.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch. If the error persists the unit is probably faulty.

Error 201 - Internal DC voltage error
  • Applies to the MPPT RS, Inverter RS and Multi RS.

    This “Internal DC voltage measurement error”, is raised in case an internal (high-) voltage measurement does not match certain criteria.

    First, make sure to update the firmware to v1.08 or later. The limits were too strict in earlier versions. And it could trigger falsely during MPPT start-up in the morning and MPPT shutdown in the evening.

    If the error still occurs after updating to v1.08 or later, then it means that a measurement circuit inside the unit is broken.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch. If the error persists, even after above mentioned firmware update, the unit is most likely faulty and must be sent in for repair/replacement.

Error 202 - Internal GFCI sensor error
  • The sensor used to measure residual current did not pass the internal self test.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch. If the error persists the unit is probably faulty and must be sent in for repair/replacement.

Error 203, Err 205, Err 212, Err 215 - Internal supply voltage error
  • The unit performs internal diagnostics when activating its internal voltage supplies. This error indicates that something is wrong with an internal supply voltage.

    This error will not auto-reset. Check the installation and restart the unit using the power-switch. If the error persists the unit is probably faulty.