Mixed Pv Panel Types; Pv Connections Burned Or Melted; Mc4 Connectors Wrongly Connected; Optimisers Cannot Be Used - Victron energy SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 Manual

MPPT solar charger manual
Example of differences in output power at different battery voltages

9.5.5. Mixed PV panel types

It is not recommended to connect a mix of different PV panel types to the same solar charger.
Only use solar panels that are the same brand, type and model.

9.5.6. PV connections burned or melted

Burned or melted PV cables or connections are generally not covered under warranty. In most case this is due to any of the
following reasons:
Solar cable
• Cables with rigid core wire or rigid strands used.
• Cables where the core wire has been soldered.
• Cable too thin - remember that the current will be higher when the PV voltage is lower. For more information on cable thickness
see the Wiring Unlimited book.
Screw terminals
• Loose screw connection.
• Cable insulation inserted too deep into the connector.
• Cables with rigid core wire or rigid strands used.
• Cables where the core wire has been soldered.

9.5.7. MC4 connectors wrongly connected

For a detailed explanation on how to connect MC4 connectors, MC4 splitters and MC4 combiners, see the Wiring unlimited book,
chapter 4.10: "Solar panels".

9.5.8. Optimisers cannot be used

Do not use solar panels with optimisers together with the solar charger.
Nearly all optimisers contain an MPPT or other tracking mechanisms and this interferes with the MPPT algorithm in the solar
charger.

9.5.9. Earth fault detection missing

This solar charger is not equipped with an earth fault relay or an earth fault warning circuit. Use an external ground fault relay or
ground fault detector.

9.5.10. Ground current

The system should not have a current flowing to ground under normal operation.
If a ground current is detected, first investigate all the equipment connected to that system and check for ground faults.
Next, check how many connections to ground the system has. There should only be a single point in the system connected to
ground . This should be at the battery.
Page 49 Troubleshooting and Support