Ctek250se no lights on

[lee.b.smith81]

Hi everyone I have Ctek250se fitted which had been working fine with no solar connected, I then got solar connected by a company that has done all work on my van throughout the year after a couple of days my ctek just went dead no lights on at all I took it back and they changed unit for a new one, I was checking to see if my battery was charging as I don't drive far and winter isn't the best for solar but noticed my battery was fully charged yesterday but this morning no lights are on again on ctek when my van is running and my battery has dropped to 12.5, any ideas would be helpful before I have to take it back again has my head done in

 

[Bigsidavies]

Do you have details of the solar panel? The 250se has a maximum voltage (VOC) that isn't particularly high (23V) when compared to many modern panels.
If I was you I'd install a Victron mppt anyway so that the solar is seperate. I found that out the hard way at the start of 10 weeks in Spain this year when I had an issue with my ctek. No dc-dc AND no solar. It's good to have that built in redundancy.
Another benefit of a seperate mppt controller is that the ctek max charge rate is 20a. So if your alternator is giving 20a and your solar is giving 10a you only get 20a.
With a seperate mppt controller you'd be getting the full 30a.

 

[lee.b.smith81]

I was thinking that but few of my friends have Ctek250se and have bigger solar and have had no issues, I only went with the ctek with it having solar charger built in

 

[Bigsidavies]

It might not be that then. I'm sure it's the open circuit voltage that shouldn't be over 23V but I'm sure someone else will confirm that.
I fitted the CTEK for exactly the same reason as you, but the victron is only about £60 - money well spent; what a massive faff it was trying to buy Victron kit in Spain. All that sun and zero charge each day with the duff ctek (turned out to be a failed power relay).
Also, I noticed the Victron gets more out of my 100w panel than the CTEK ever did.

example on quick google search Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 – SCC075015060R

 

[lee.b.smith81]

When it happened the first time none of the fuses were blown, I'm not an electrician but I would think if it was the voltage issue would it not blow the fuse, I will take it back to the company, they have fitted loads as its what they do, it's just a bad head as I wanted to get away next weekend but that's not going to happen now and will be after the new year before they can look at it

 

[Bigsidavies]

The ctek has two internal fuses apparently.
Can you not charge the battery fully at home then have your weekend away being careful to use as little battery as possible? Fridge compressor will hardly come on in this weather, lights use very little power. Take a portable power bank to charge phones etc.
But I agree, it's a royal pita. Hence having a seperate mppt. Imagine this happening mid holiday etc. For an extra few quid I'm a convert to having seperate units. Victron takes minutes to fit and is nice and small.

 

[lee.b.smith81]

Yeah I will charge battery and still get away, mid holiday would of definitely fried my brain lol, I wouldn't know where to start fitting anything, il just take it back to company that fitted it as they should check the voltage before fitting if that is the problem

 

[lee.b.smith81]

I have just

The ctek has two internal fuses apparently.
Can you not charge the battery fully at home then have your weekend away being careful to use as little battery as possible? Fridge compressor will hardly come on in this weather, lights use very little power. Take a portable power bank to charge phones etc.
But I agree, it's a royal pita. Hence having a seperate mppt. Imagine this happening mid holiday etc. For an extra few quid I'm a convert to having seperate units. Victron takes minutes to fit and is nice and small.

I have just checked it and it now has a green flashing light but stays the same when van is started and off but leisure battery is just showing 12.4 now

 

[MarkW-T6]

The Ctek max OCV is 23v as @Bigsidavies has said, your panel is over rated at 24.8v. I don’t know enough to explain how this affects the charger but @Dellmassive may be able to shed some light on the technicalities? I have been using the Ctek for some years now, originally with an agm battery, now with lithium. I have an 120w solar panel on the roof with an additional 100w foldable panel for extra boost when required, both correctly rated for the Ctek. Up to now I’ve had no problems with the unit, the 100w lithium recently fully charged from almost flat in 4 hours driving. When the LB is fully charged the Ctek trickle charges the starter battery, useful in winter when the van isn’t used as much.

 

[MarkW-T6]

These may help diagnose the fault

 

[lee.b.smith81]

The Ctek max OCV is 23v as @Bigsidavies has said, your panel is over rated at 24.8v. I don’t know enough to explain how this affects the charger but @Dellmassive may be able to shed some light on the technicalities? I have been using the Ctek for some years now, originally with an agm battery, now with lithium. I have an 120w solar panel on the roof with an additional 100w foldable panel for extra boost when required, both correctly rated for the Ctek. Up to now I’ve had no problems with the unit, the 100w lithium recently fully charged from almost flat in 4 hours driving. When the LB is fully charged the Ctek trickle charges the starter battery, useful in winter when the van isn’t used as much.

View attachment 268823

Thanks you have all been helpful, I'm just glad there is a light flashing now as the one before was completely dead, if it is the voltage issue the company should of checked this as they supplied and fitted both

 

[lee.b.smith81]

View attachment 268824View attachment 268825These may help diagnose the fault

The light showing is the current saving mode, no charging in progress