Solar panels / charger doing what it is supposed to?

[Kevin D Pem]

Really!!! I had pulled up the number and didn't want to believe what came up! But yes, it was correct. The dmv is wrong it should be pwm. This is definitely not a cccv charging power supply. It is the cheapest solar charge controller on the market. The lithium BMS sees the full voltage of the panel, chopped to average a 12v charging voltage. This controller needs a battery or capacitor to smooth the output voltage.
What this tells me is the company that installed it should not be risking their customers lives with dangerous lithium products.

Sorry for the rant but I'm being honest!!!

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Got an update from Newmar support on the phone today. Very friendly. Long story short they are still consulting with their engineers and will get back to me.

I have to admit I've been tempted to just buy the correct MPPT charger for lithium and swap it out myself this weekend in just a few minutes, but given this is only my second major new rig gremlins experience with Newmar, I am currious how it plays out given I can use my generator as plan B for a trip or two.

Also wondering if I just happened to get the lucky rig set up this way or if everybody shipped this build configuration from them actually has this same issue and may not even realize it. Fingers crossed!

Best,
-Mark

 

[Richpatty]

Would be surprised if they made the mistake of putting in a model that does not support lithium…. Or that a model is still available.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Got an update from Newmar support on the phone today. Very friendly. Long story short they are still consulting with their engineers and will get back to me.

I have to admit I've been tempted to just buy the correct MPPT charger for lithium and swap it out myself this weekend in just a few minutes, but given this is only my second major new rig gremlins experience with Newmar, I am currious how it plays out given I can use my generator as plan B for a trip or two.

Also wondering if I just happened to get the lucky rig set up this way or if everybody shipped this build configuration from them actually has this same issue and may not even realize it. Fingers crossed!

Best,
-Mark

I'm sorry! I would have done better if I had spent more time rereading the original post! I did that now.
When I saw pwm on the controller, I assumed that you bought a used rig! Point is I would tell a friend never take his toys back to the shade tree mechanic that did that install, ever!!! Improperly charging a lithium battery is very dangerous!

I tell you that they are not consulting the engineer. The component selection, says no engineer was involved with the design.

I hate pointing that out, especially here, but in 2023 this is not something new.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Thank you for posting this issue. And all the potential solutions.
We have ordered a 2024 DS and decided to skip a Factory Solar panel install. Thankfully that appears to be the correct decision.

We did however order 960 Lithium battery package. Hopefully they have the correct BIM/BIRD installed so there is no charging chassis battery issues.

Hope you get your issues resolved. If you need Professional help you might try Future Solutions in Elkhart. They do very nice Solar installs and can sort your issues quickly.

You might negotiate with Newmar to pay for the fix.

I've had success in the past having Third party repairs covered under warranty with new coaches.

 

[Headhunter]

Not a Newmar but I have three factory solar panels installed on my 2021 Tiffin 33 AA. I was getting weird readings, and messages saying charge full or something like that for the first 8 months of ownership. I did have a separate solar panel manual that came with the coach. I don't think the panels ever truly connected to the controller correctly. Finally some one at the dealership figured it out and they replaced my controller. Problem finally solved.

HH

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

I gave up waiting for Newmar support to respond beyond "our engineers are still looking at it." Last night I ordered a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-TR on Amazon and to my surprise it showed up this morning!

Spent a couple hours swapping out the Xantrex C60 (which is designed for lead acid and Nicad, not lithium) and I NOW HAVE WORKING SOLAR CHARGING!

I changed its settings via the Victron bluetooth app as per the recommendations made by Lithionics (makers of the lithium iron phosphate house batteries Newmar also installed at the factory).

One mod I made was I added a circuit breaker as per U.L. rules between the solar panel wires and the charge controller so I could turn off and isolate the panels anytime I may want or need to.

Given the impropper solar controller was installed at the factory I will update the post if/when I get a response...

My word of caution if your new Newmar has both the lithium and solar options on the build sheet: verify the solar charge controller they used is actually meant for lithium...

Best,
-Mark

 

[Richpatty]

Unbelievable. I hope they reimburse you in some way…

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Unbelievable. I hope they reimburse you in some way…

@Neal Should send a design house fee for engineering costs

 

[Rich W.]

I gave up waiting for Newmar support to respond beyond "our engineers are still looking at it." Last night I ordered a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-TR on Amazon and to my surprise it showed up this morning!

Spent a couple hours swapping out the Xantrex C60 (which is designed for lead acid and Nicad, not lithium) and I NOW HAVE WORKING SOLAR CHARGING!

I changed its settings via the Victron bluetooth app as per the recommendations made by Lithionics (makers of the lithium iron phosphate house batteries Newmar also installed at the factory).

One mod I made was I added a circuit breaker as per U.L. rules between the solar panel wires and the charge controller so I could turn off and isolate the panels anytime I may want or need to.

Given the impropper solar controller was installed at the factory I will update the post if/when I get a response...

My word of caution if your new Newmar has both the lithium and solar options on the build sheet: verify the solar charge controller they used is actually meant for lithium...

Best,
-Mark

Huge improvement - quality, dependable controller, and the ability to monitor via blue tooth. Nice install too. It would be nice to get Newmar to compensate, at least the cost of the OE controller (probably a lot less than the new Victron) but now it‘s done right and thats the most important thing.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

We had a Victron charge controller in our RV. Very nice equipment and easy to use. The Bluetooth features make it very convenient.

 

[Neal]

Last night I ordered a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/70-TR on Amazon and to my surprise it showed up this morning!

Glad you got this working!

I hate asking this knowing you bought something already but how did you choose this one over others? Several of us here use the 150/100 Tr which means a 100 AMP current cap where yours is 70 AMP. I can pull in 100A from my panels. 70 AMP should be fine too but just wonder if sizing larger for capacity is something to consider?

Amazon product ASIN B08LBVYTXD

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Glad you got this working!

I hate asking this knowing you bought something already but how did you choose this one over others? Several of us here use the 150/100 Tr which means a 100 AMP current cap where yours is 70 AMP. I can pull in 100A from my panels. 70 AMP should be fine too but just wonder if sizing larger for capacity is something to consider?

Amazon product ASIN B08LBVYTXD

Thanks! I sized it larger based on knowing I'll want to add a 3rd Lithionics battery and additional solar at a later date (I may even replace the 4 flexible 100W GoPower panels that came from the factory someday as they just are not as good as glass panels). I wanted to make sure I had headroom to grow into. At this time I've altered the 150/100 Tr settings to lower the cap.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Neal]

You said you bought the /70 which is not larger than the one I have and linked.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

You said you bought the /70 which is not larger than the one I have and linked.

Ah, sorry. I missed that. I sized it based on the panels / load I expect to grow into vs. going "all in" as I don't boondock for days on end (a day or two tops). Part of my reasoning was also based on the sizing of the wires Newmar ran from the roof to the bay. Yes, I could rewire everything up top to be in series vs parallel (the factory tied all of them together in parallel) or series/parallel, but...
You'll see my 4 100W GoPower panels were sending only ~18A in full afternoon sun and only ~21A to the batteries.

I may regret not going to /100 someday, but it should cover me for the next few years.

Best,
-Mark