Solar controller Question

RCB

With the battery switch off, I understand the solar panels will charge the batteries. Will not the controller also be active ? Turned Bluetooth on and tried to activate the App and it told me no device found. Any comments appreciated.

pthomas745

What trailer?  What year?

PS:  you have to be pretty close to the trailer for the bluetooth to connect.

Denny16

Yes, the solar controller will also be active.
cheers

Sharon_is_SAM

I always have trouble connecting via Bluetooth.  In our case, it is the Victron BMV with dongle.  It probably has to do with firmware updates.

RCB

Hello Again,
I’m still fussing about my solar controller. I’ve checked, and the led is on, but I cannot connect via the Bluetooth app. Can someone please provide Some idiot proof instructions ? Thanks.

Sharon_is_SAM

Which controller?

Cbusguy

@RCB we are willing to help but you need to answer the above questions because there were a couple of different solar controllers used

Tundra57

The mppt blue solar controller- factory on my 2019 Tab 400. Just downloaded the abdroid app to my phone and stood inside the camper. Made sure bluetooth was turned on on the phone. Opened up the app and it connected fine. I can actally still be connected 10-15 feet away outside the camper. What phone and app are you using?  Are the blue leds on the controller on?

RCB

Thanks. I have the MPPT 75/115 Victron, and am trying to connect via my iPad. There is no wifi, but zBluetooth is on.

Sharon_is_SAM

@RCB, sometimes Bluetooth can take multiple attempts to connect.  Download the app to a smart phone and try connecting via phone.  

ChanW

The Victron MPPT 75/15 Smart Solar has Bluetooth.

The MPPT 75/15 Blue Solar doesn't have Bluetooth.

Got the right one?

RCB

Like I said, need some idiot proof guidance. May have gotten the model number wrong, it is the MPPT 75/15 Smart Controller. It worked last year on the same iPad.  I’ll try again. Thanks.

Tundra57

@ChanW nope you were right. Its smart solar

Tundra57

Im not familiar with ipad apps. But it has yo be the same as a smart phone. Make sure smart solar is powered (blue light on). Make sure your ipad blutooth is on. Then set ipad bluetooth to search for devices. The smart solar is always discoverable. When the ipad finds the smart solar controller, it will ask for a password. The password is on the manual its not 0000 as common. If you message me ill check in my little manual to see what it is. You csn download the manual on line. Both of my smart solar controllers work the same way.

rdenn

I was unable to connect to my MPPT 75/15 Smart Controller via bluetooth.  While troubleshooting, I found that one of the wires had come loose.  Because the wire connections are on the bottom of the controller, the situation was not readily apparent.  However, once the wire was reconnected, bluetooth communication worked perfectly.

DougH

@RCB ; I have to have location services turned on for the low power Bluetooth to find devices like my Victron.  Part of the new BT standard.  Should be the same for the iPad (turn on GPS and/or cell tower and/or WiFi location).  Just another thing to try.

RCB

Still trying to connect. The manual has a note about wi-fi - is it necessary to be connected to the internet for the controller to work ? 

Denny16

No, it uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone or iPad.  You need to download the Victron IOS application.
cheers

BrianZ

Are you using the "Victron Connect" app?
Manual says features depend on model & refers to Chapter 11 (which offers bluetooth troubleshooting tips)..
https://www.victronenergy.com/live/victronconnect:start

rbrtm

The factory solar on my april 2018 '400 just quit. No voltage from either panel measured at the diodes in full sun. This month is years two of ownership. Any recourse. I see nucamp is using different brand of panel now.

Denny16

Call nuCamp service and see what they recommend, is your best bet.
I assume you have the earlier 2-panel setup, nuCamp replaced this with one larger 194-watt single panel.  You might be able to get a partial credit towards swapping them out for the newer panel.
cheers

RCB

To close the loop on this subject. I can now connect. 1. I need wifi to connect via the app. 2. Must connect from the app and not the device menu. 3. App instructed to download two firmware updates. And Bob’s your Uncle.

rbrtm

update: Out of Nucamp warranty. Nucamp gave me the Zamp phone. Zamp kindly sent me 2 new 100 w panels. They say Sunpower on them. Slightly different dimensions and they have their "zamp" SAE plug which I will swap for MC4 connectors. Looks like they should glue down well. 

Verna

@rbrtm, Zamp has a 25 year warranty. I will not tell you how old I will be in 20 years when my warranty runs out on my Zamp 200 watt suitcase  . My T@B 400 has two Zamp 100 watt solar panels and a Zamp solar Controller. I like Zamp.