2023 Tab 400 - solar panel not working

Beaniebone
Beaniebone
in Battery/Electrical & Solar

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

IMG_9768.png

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?

Comments

  • Binghi
    Binghi

    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.

    2021 400 BD / 2023 Ford F150 / Austin, TX

  • pthomas745
    pthomas745

    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.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • RTWCTS
    RTWCTS
    edited 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.

    'Racing the Wind and Chasing the Sun'

    In a 2023 T@B 400 (former T@B 320 owners)

    Relentlessly Pursuing a Silverado EV

    Homeport - Virginia Beach, VA

  • Horigan
    Horigan

    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.

    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • rfuss928
    rfuss928

    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
    B0atguy
    edited 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 .

    2023 Ford F150 Sport 3.5 Ecoboost 
    2024 NuCamp T@B 400 BD,  Charcoal / White - 900AH LifePO4 , 620W Solar
    2016 Ford Transit 350 XLT - Adventure / Travel Van / 320s interior !
    2019 NuCamp T@B 320s Grey / Black - SOLD 

     

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