2023 Tab 400 - solar panel not working

Beaniebone · September 2

Our camper has been winterized since 2024. The battery switch was turned off and the camper sat in driveway with a camper cover over it until now. We are getting it ready for a fall trip. We turned on the battery switch and hooked up to shore power to charge battery. The battery is charging with shore power but it does not appear that the solar panel is working. Attached is a pic of the Victron reading

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Under the SmartSolar section, it says State: Off. Power: OW. Yield: 0Wh Current: 0.00A.

Under the SmartShunt category, the state of charge got up to 100%, so I assume that the shore power is working. We have lights, etc.

Any ideas how I can get the solar panel to turn on?

Binghi · September 2

Make sure your SmartSolar app software is updated. I recently had a similar problem and was scratching my head about what to do when I noticed that the app indicated it needed updating. I updated it, and everything started working fine.

pthomas745 · September 3

How much sun is the panel getting at the moment? How long has the cover been off? Have a look at the "History" page of the Smart Solar and see if there was any incoming power with the cover on, and any incoming power with the cover off today.

RTWCTS · September 3

@Beaniebone your screenshot shows a 100/30 MPPT. My 400 (same model year) came with a 75/15MPPT. Check the tightness of the wire connections in and out of your Solar Controller. Gremlins like to loosen wiring connections over time.

Horigan · September 3

The screen shot shows the charger being OFF. Go into settings and turn it on, as well as tightening the connections and updating the software.

rfuss928 · September 3

If the battery has been fully charged with shore power, the solar controller will sense full charge and turn off. It is a bit unusual that the state is not "float" and outputting a couple watts but there are several settings and conditions that effect that.

Disconnect from shore power and run some 12 volt accessories (fans, refrigerator, lights). This should quickly trigger the solar controller to turn on if adequate solar is available.

B0atguy · September 4

Likely have a bad solar panel . Its a very common issue and well documented that the 2023/2024 400 models had defective panels . When the panels start to go bad , the victron solar controller will show an "off" state even when in full sun . Many 400 owners have had there 310w solar panels replaced due to defective panels . The new panels have been updated to to a newer design . Our 2024 400 had the original 310w solar panels replaced under warranty . The new panels are working perfect. If your solar panel is original , its likely defective . I have heard the warranty on the panels is 10 years . Check into getting the panel replaced under warranty .

pilot1each · September 11

I have a TAB 400 BDBC purchased in 12/2025. It has Two 100 AH Battleborn batteries. All Victron products firmware is up to date.

I just finished dry camping in the Redwoods at Jedidiah Smith SP. There was little sun. The batteries SOC when we departed the campground was 23%. It is a cloudless day.

We arrived at or next destination SOC was 20%. The solar controller never attempted to charge the batteries.

We have been on a 5 week trip mostly plugged in to shore power. During our transits in good solar conditions I have noticed the solar output has been diminishing. September 8-10 cloudless skies with few obstructions.

How can I troubleshoot to ascertain if the panels are bad or the Victron MPPT has failed. Is it possible to reset the MPPT?

Here is a screenshot of the MPPT history

2023 Tab 400 - solar panel not working

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