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We sorted our genset start problems by linking the genset battery to the engine start batteries with a voltage sensitive relay which ensures the genset battery gets a charge from the alternators and or battery chargers once the 13.7 volt threshold is reached. We also discovered when...

My 2 X 345 watt sunpower panels have delivered over 700 watts and punch out 50 amps when unshaded in peak sun time, best day so over 4 kw!! Awesome panels!

Jim said It's there to protect the circuit in case there is a short in the charging cables, it was fitted into the red wire just prior to the battery terminal.

Hi everyone, problem solved, nothing to do with the controller, the installer fitted an auto reset breaker in the wires to the house battery from the controller, this was overheating, tripping and then resetting in anything much over 35 amps although it was rated to 50 amps. Taking it out of the...

Hi, The 100/50 VictronConnect mppt controller is located in the lazerette, ambient is 30 c and controller temperature is 48 c, rated for full power to 60c so I think that's not the issue. Battery external case temperature is 25/26 c. In terms of battery bank the house batteries are 760 amps...

Ouch! Understand, less system = less problems. For us living on anchor much of the time as we cruise the Queensland coast and running 3 fridges and a freezer it cuts our genset run time by at least 30%, 50% on a good solar day so worthwhile for our boating.

That would be great no cost fix, two in a row though???

Given problem only occurs with full sun on both panels it must be the output that is the key to the problem though Victron maintain that the controller can accept higher wattage without issue. As clouds pass over or the boat swings shading one the panels the wattage reduces and the cycling...

Yes seen the sparks fly when resetting the controller!! Plus a nasty shock when my ear shorted out the output, true story!!

The controller reduces the panel watts and I presume it becomes heat??

Boom, sitting here avidly watching the power outputs and saw it hit 712 watts, beginning to think the controller might not have enough capacity for the panels, it's not shown up often because in the normal se winds here I get shading from the satdome and radar. We have ne winds at the moment so...

So, no genset run this morning which means the batteries are down 150/200 amps. Controller still still cycling, turn on the kettle which sucks 100+ amps out and still it's cycling. I think either the stated specifications are exaggerated and I need a larger controller or I have another faulty...

The specs on the controller allow for up to 100 volts panel input and 50 amp output so my two panels are well within the specified limits. I will try today to see if the problem goes away when the battery bank is at a lower state of charge. I have set the absorption rate to 14.8 but not yet...

Hi, first up thanks all for the help/contributions, it is appreciated. The attached report shows the peak watts by the two sunpower panels are well below the rated 700 nominal capacity so this casts some doubt on the controller being unable to manage the current supplied. Pity I am 600 nm...

Breakfast on the inverter tomorrow, that will bring them down enough I think! Then I will try covering a panel though the problem only shows up in the peak sun times

Bruce, yes two with the same problem is unlikely, perhaps the panel output it too high for the controller however their manual claims higher capacity panels are not an issue for the controller. I think it is more related to the state of charge of the battery bank so I might try running the bank...

That would be helpful, it would be appreciated if you could pass the number or business name on. Thanks

Right now I have the max output reduced to 34 amps which limits the panels to around 500 watts combined and I am still seeing constant cycling so I don't believe the watts are the issue. It's hard to catch the output at max and the minimum but these two photos are close (with output limited to...

David, yes I can do that however the cycling happens during the bulk charge phase as well and that I can't adjust. Peter, yes I have wondered if that is the case and the batteries are "full" but then why wouldn't the charger be in float mode?

A mystery I am hoping the forum can help solve. The Victron Connect mppt 100/50 solar controller on board Bluechip keeps cutting the charge back to 0 amps during peak output times, after dropping to 0 then the amp rate raises again until battery voltage reaches just over 14 volts then the cycle...

Another vote for the 345 watt sunpower panels, the two fitted to Bluechip delivered over 3 kw yesterday in spite of the shade from the sat dome and radar. Fitting these has reduced our genset runtime at anchor by 33%.

Yes Brian, it's a bloody long drive but this way we have our own car and no hassles trying to fly the dog to Perth. Auscan, sounds like Port Douglas marina where at low tide we were stuck in the mud!! Cruising the east coast is indeed wonderful especially if you can avoid having to be anywhere...

Brian, too much excitement on your trip south for me. It's all good fun afterwards but maybe not at the time. After reading the marina rules Port of Airlie is off our list, very anti dog where as Abell Point love Jaffa so looks like that will be our cyclone season home. Our car is being...

Any one any experience in berthing at Port of Airlie, we are going to book Bluechip into Airlie Beach over summer. We will spend at least 3 months travelling and the balance in Airlie. Not sure which marina will be the best, either Port of Airlie which is closer to town or Abell Point which is a...

Best decision we ever made to throw caution to the winds and move aboard our Clipper 45, what a great adventure we are having.