Solar set up

Question

Hi everyone! My RV dealer installed solar for me 10 months ago. All components are Victron except the inverter which is Xantrex. Does anyone know if these systems are incompatible?  The controller died because it was installed behind the breaker box with no ventilation,  but the inverter is not charging well either.  When I first plug into shore power, current is 30-40 amps, but once the batteries are charged,  current drops to -5 to -10 amps and stays there draining the batteries until I turn shore power off and on again.  Then the pattern repeats. I've been in Texas for a couple months and temperatures have been in the triple digits. I'll be installing fans in the pass through where the batteries and inverter are,  but haven't done so yet.  Does anyone know if there's something else going on,  like incompatible components?

2oldman · Answer

Tell me the model of Xantrex inverter.  Incompatible components is something I've never heard of, but an incompetent installer is.

ca_traveler · Answer

Multiple charging devices should not be a problem if they all are set for your battery type. Installing behind the breaker box suggests they used existing wiring which could be a concern. The ventilation issue makes me wonder what else they did?

Maybe there is some simple Xantrex issue. It's also possible that you now have a battery issue so have them tested. The charger should supply all house amps up to it's limit and hold the voltage at about 13.6V.

I would check and record both the amps and voltage during a charge cycle along with all model numbers etc and seek help.

Well stated 2oldman.

3_tons · Answer

The components are indeed ‘uber compatible’, the problem lies elsewhere…Besides ventilation, I would also check the Xantrex inverter-charger’s charger programming, especially it’s battery temperature sensor probe (e.g. battery temp) - excessive high temps may be shutting down the inverters charging function…Another possibility is that the inverter may have a built-in high temp shutdown interlock, whereby disconnecting then reconnecting shore power results in a inverter reset…JMO

3 tons

kate_and_ed · Answer

Thanks all! Reading and considering all.

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