I'm new to solar setups and didn't expect issues with my first project. Currently, I am using a 120W solar panel and a 100Ah AGM battery with a Victron 12V 30A PWM charge controller and a Victron Phoenix 500VA inverter. While everything works fine with a small load, connecting my 130W laptop charger sends the charge controller into "LO" mode, which seems to indicate it's overloaded. Is there a way to resolve this without returning the inverter? Maybe swapping for a 12V 40A charge controller, or is there a simple solution to limit the current? If I connect the inverter directly to the battery, it powers up fine, so I think the inverter is okay. Any advice? Thanks!
3 Answers
Victron does make PWM controllers, though it's not common knowledge! For your situation, if your 130W load is causing issues, it could be due to inrush current spiking above what your controller can handle. I’d recommend connecting the inverter directly to the battery and not through the PWM to avoid those issues altogether.
It sounds like you're connecting the inverter to the load terminals of the charge controller, which generally aren't meant for high loads like that. You should hook the inverter directly to the battery instead. That way, you avoid the charge controller's limits and don't risk an overload. Just make sure to check your wiring to avoid any short circuits!
Good point! Those load terminals are really for smaller devices. Just connect directly to the battery for anything larger—it's definitely the way to go.
The "LO" indicator usually means the voltage at the battery terminal is too low, especially under heavy load. If your cables are thin, try using thicker ones to prevent voltage drops. It might help to know your battery voltage when that warning pops up!
I was wondering about that too! If the PWM unit cuts off too quickly, you might miss the voltage drop. But starting at 12.9V seems fine, maybe double-check if everything is set up correctly.
That's a good idea. The inverter probably needs that clear, direct connection for efficiency, especially if those capacitors spike above the 30A max.