Marlec MPPT controller issue

[Caladh]

Have the Rutland 1200 wind genny which I’m happy with and can see it charging the batteries as and when necessary. This controller has an input for for a solar panel which I have wired up to my 80w flexible solar panel. I plug it in via a socket on the deck and if the sun is out can see eg. 21 volts from the panel. I switch the controllers solar to on, the controllers panel light goes green to show it’s charging - trouble is it doesn’t appear to charge which I can monitor using my Victron battery monitor. I have a separate solar panel charging via a Victron solar regulator which works fine. I have double checked the wiring ad nauseum and are at a loss as to why Ithe batteries don’t charge off this input? I am in contact with Marlec and they want me to return the controller which I may very well have to do. They have not offered any other troubleshooting ideas. Has anyone else had this sort of issue ? Sorry it’s so long winded.

I guess I can wire the flexible panel to the Victron and forget about it but …..

 

[mikegunn]

Have the Rutland 1200 wind genny which I’m happy with and can see it charging the batteries as and when necessary. This controller has an input for for a solar panel which I have wired up to my 80w flexible solar panel. I plug it in via a socket on the deck and if the sun is out can see eg. 21 volts from the panel. I switch the controllers solar to on, the controllers panel light goes green to show it’s charging - trouble is it doesn’t appear to charge which I can monitor using my Victron battery monitor. I have a separate solar panel charging via a Victron solar regulator which works fine. I have double checked the wiring ad nauseum and are at a loss as to why Ithe batteries don’t charge off this input? I am in contact with Marlec and they want me to return the controller which I may very well have to do. They have not offered any other troubleshooting ideas. Has anyone else had this sort of issue ? Sorry it’s so long winded.

I guess I can wire the flexible panel to the Victron and forget about it but …..

Do both + & - from the solar panel feed into the controller?

Mike

 

[Poecheng]

It doesn't answer your problem but I believe both Marlec regulators, HRSi and HRDi are PWM not MPPT. But you may have a different one.

 

[VicS]

It doesn't answer your problem but I believe both Marlec regulators, HRSi and HRDi are PWM not MPPT. But you may have a different one.

The Rutland 1200 has its own special controller.
It controls both solar and wind inputs by MPPT,
The output is multistage controlled by PWM and split to provide charging for two battery banks..

 

[Poecheng]

Ah, thanks Vic

 

[Caladh]

Do both + & - from the solar panel feed into the controller?

Mike

Yes. The wind genny has a separate feed into the controller as does the solar.

 

[mikegunn]

Yes. The wind genny has a separate feed into the controller as does the solar.

In which case I think I would take Marlec’s advice and return controller for their investigation.
Mike

 

[VicS]

Have the Rutland 1200 wind genny which I’m happy with and can see it charging the batteries as and when necessary. This controller has an input for for a solar panel which I have wired up to my 80w flexible solar panel. I plug it in via a socket on the deck and if the sun is out can see eg. 21 volts from the panel. I switch the controllers solar to on, the controllers panel light goes green to show it’s charging - trouble is it doesn’t appear to charge which I can monitor using my Victron battery monitor. I have a separate solar panel charging via a Victron solar regulator which works fine. I have double checked the wiring ad nauseum and are at a loss as to why Ithe batteries don’t charge off this input? I am in contact with Marlec and they want me to return the controller which I may very well have to do. They have not offered any other troubleshooting ideas. Has anyone else had this sort of issue ? Sorry it’s so long winded.

I guess I can wire the flexible panel to the Victron and forget about it but …..

Have you tried disabling the other panel and the Victron controller in some way? eg by covering the panel.

I am wondering if the volts out from the Victron controller is higher than the volts out from the Rutland controller. If that is so the Rutland will not output any current.

.

 

[William_H]

I would suggest you apply a large load to battery system or get batteries well discharged and check again. As said it may be battery is up to voltage indicating fully charged according to one of the controllers or both. All may be quite ok and normal. ol'will

 

[Caladh]

I had already tried disabling the other panel. I then applied load ie. Fridge nav lights etc but the Marlec certainly appeared to not appear to provide the necessary volts under load. Guess I’m going to return said item to Marlec but don’t want to be without the genny for the rest of the season. Thanks for your inputs to my question.

 

[Poecheng]

I have recently dealt with them and found them fairly quick to check my regulator.