Sargent Ec155 Dead After Connecting Solar And Turning Ignition On

[RikParr73]

Hi, I have a 2017 VW T6 Euro 6 with CTEK 250SA and Sargent EC155. All was fine until I connected the Solar panel cables. After connecting the panel the Sargent still worked fine, but when I turned on the ignition (With the Sargent on) the Sargent control pad started to beep, had 3 red led's showing, made a bit of a crackle noise and then died. All fuses checked and ok. I'm getting 12v from Leisure and Van battery outputs checking on Sargent plug connections 5 and 8, and continuity on earth 2 & 3. Tried different CAT5 cable, have disconnected all cables on Sargent and reconnected, still dead. Any ideas anyone before I call Sargent on Monday? TIA, Rik.

 

[Dellmassive]

got some pics of the ctek,sargent,solar cables and install pls?

where did you connect the two solar cables too? - did you test the polarity for pos/neg?

was the ctek250sa working ok before?

does the Sargent smell burnt-out?

 

[Dellmassive]

EC155 pdf

 

[RikParr73]

Didn't check polarity tbh. Connected Red cable to solar connection (Top left) as per pic, connected neg to neg terminal (Top right black cable). The CTEK lit up correctly when the solar panel was connected, 'A' LED, solar LED and battery LED in amber, and when driving van the 'A' LED and battery LED are lit as they should be.

 

[RikParr73]

Sargent doesn't smell burnt out.

 

[Nigel W]

Just a long shot, if you turn on the ignition with the vehicle connected to the mains my Sargent box does beep and flash to stop you driving off with a mains cable connected.
Your isn’t plugged into the mains by any chance.

 

[RikParr73]

No, not plugged into 240v....

 

[RikParr73]

Update: When ignition is on the sargent control panel does light up, various LED's come on in red and purple/violet, intermittent beeping too. Still nothing when ignition is off.

IMG_1173

• RikParr73
• 19 Jan 2020
• sargent sargent ec155

 

[travelvolts]

Check the voltage coming out of the Ctek when solar is active. I have heard that this can sometimes be too high for the Sargent. One of my converter customers uses the Victron MPPT controller for solar specifically to get round this issue as it enables him to adjust the output using the Bluetooth app.

 

[RikParr73]

Thanks for the advice Travelvolts. I have an electrician booked to come and look at it all next week. Spoke with Sargent who have advised that as I have a 12v going to pin 7 when the ignition is off is indicating that the voltage sensing relay could be goosed. I may have also damaged the EC50 control panel.

 

[Pete C]

What solar panel are you using ?

Pete

 

[RikParr73]

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

 

[travelvolts]

You could be in further trouble with that solar panel as the VOC is too high for the Ctek. I suggest that you disconnect it straight away. You will need to fit another solar controller and keep it seperate from the Ctek. If you continue to use it with the Ctek you WILL blow it.

 

[RikParr73]

Thanks. - I called photonic up and provided details of my setup including the CTEK when ordering so confused now. Is the 23.9v open circuit too high then? the output was 20.1v when I tested it.

 

[travelvolts]

You absolutely must check the VOC figure for your panel. Checking with a meter is not accurate as it will vary with available light.

 

[RikParr73]

@travelvolts - What MPPT would you recommend for a 23.9 VOC panel please?

 

[travelvolts]

Victron 75/15 https://www.travelvolts.net/shop-14

 

[travelvolts]

23 volts

 

[RikParr73]

Replacement panel for the Sargent has resolved the issue - cause still unknown.