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Pre-RMA Bench Test Instructions

5. Pre-RMA test form - Smart charger

In this section:

1. General

Product, system and fault information

Date

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Model

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Part number

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Date of installation (if known)

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Date of failure (if known)

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Battery type, brand name and overall capacity (if known)

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2. Initial check

Initial check

Does the unit have mechanical damage to its housing?

  • Yes, no warranty.

  • No.

Does the unit have burn marks or melting marks on its housing, or does it smell burned?

  • Yes.

  • No.

Does the unit have mechanical or burn damage to its electrical wires or connectors?

  • Yes, no warranty.

  • No.

3. First power up

Power the unit up and check

Connect the unit to an AC power supply. The unit should turn on automatically.

Is there an AC short-circuit?

  • Yes, lodge a warranty claim.

  • No.

Are any of the LEDs on?

  • Yes.

  • No.

For IP22, IP67 and some IP65 chargers only:

Remove the fuse, and check it for continuity. If the fuse is broken, replace the fuse. What is the outcome?

  • The fuse is not broken.

  • The fuse was broken, and the fuse has been replaced without issues.

  • The fuse was broken, and the replacement fuse blew; lodge a warranty claim.

For IP43 chargers only:

Check if the remote link is in place. If the remote link is not in place, place the link. What is the outcome?

Note: To find the location of the remote link, refer to the product manual.

  • The link was placed.

  • The link was not placed and has now been placed.

Measure the voltage on the charger battery terminal(s) or cables. If the charger has multiple charge outputs, measure the voltage on each output. Do you measure at least 12V or 24V on the output(s) (depending on the charger model?

For IP65 chargers only: First, unplug the DC connector from the accessory cable (the eyelet or clamp terminal cable) and measure the DC voltage on the DC connector closest to the charger. Then plug the connector into the accessory cable and measure the DC voltage on the eyelet or clamp terminals. Do you measure at least 12V or 24V (depending on the charger model)?

  • Yes, go to 4.

  • No.

4. Bluetooth

Bluetooth check

Is the unit a "Smart" product, i.e., does it have built-in Bluetooth?

  • Yes.

  • No, go to step 5.

Is Bluetooth active, i.e., do you see the unit listed in the device list of the VictronConnect app?

  • Yes, go to step 5.

  • No.

If Bluetooth is not active, it is unlikely to be a faulty Bluetooth module. More likely, Bluetooth has been turned off in the VictronConnect settings.

To re-activate Bluetooth:

  • Press and hold the "mode" button for 10 seconds to turn Bluetooth back on.

Is Bluetooth active now?

  • Yes, go to step 5.

  • No.

If Bluetooth is still not active, rule out the following:

  • Are there problems with your phone or tablet?

  • Are you within Bluetooth range?

  • Just one phone or tablet can connect via Bluetooth at once. If another is connected, the unit will be listed but greyed out in VictronConnect app.

  • Consult the product manual and the VictronConnect manual to try to resolve the Bluetooth issue.

Is Bluetooth active now?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

5. Firmware and settings

Update the firmware and reset the settings to default

Connect via Bluetooth (or interface) to the VictronConnect app and navigate to the unit. Is this possible?

In case the PIN code is unknown, reset the PIN code, using the PUK code. For information on how to do this, see the VictronConnect manual.

  • Yes.

  • No, not possible; lodge a warranty claim.

Check if the firmware is up to date. If the firmware is not up to date, update the firmware to the most recent version using the VictronConnect app:

  • Go to the VictronConnect settings page.

  • On the settings page, click on the "3 dots" symbol in the top right-hand corner.

  • Select "Product info".

  • On the product info page, check and/or update the firmware.

  • Yes, the firmware has been updated.

  • Yes, the firmware was already up to date.

  • No, not possible to update the firmware.

Save the unit's settings. File the settings under its serial number and keep the file on record for future reference. To save the settings:

  • Go to the VictronConnect settings page.

  • On the settings page, click on the "disk" symbol at the top.

  • Yes, the settings file has been saved.

  • No, not possible to save the settings.

Reset all settings to default:

  • Go to the VictronConnect settings page.

  • On the settings page, click on the "3 dots" symbol in the top right-hand corner of the page and select "Reset to defaults".

  • Yes, the settings are set to default.

  • No, not possible to set the settings to default.

Does the VictronConnect app display any active error codes? If so, try to resolve the errors by consulting the product manual.

Did it get resolved?

  • No errors.

  • There were errors, but they were resolved.

  • There were errors, but they were not resolved.

If there is an active error, write down the error number(s) and name(s). Use this form's "Remarks" section if more space is needed.

Error number: ....

Error name: ....

Check the history. Were there any historical errors? If so, write them down. Save a copy of the history file for your reference.

  • Yes, Number(s): ....

  • No.

6. Functionality

Charger functionality check

Set the charger to "normal" mode. To do this: press the "mode" button until the "normal" LED is illuminated. If the charger does not have a "mode" button, do this via the VictronConnect app.

  • The charger has been set to "normal" mode.

  • Not possible; the mode button is broken.

Measure the voltage on the charger battery terminal(s). Do you measure at least 12V or 24V (depending on the charger model?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

Compare the measured voltage to the voltage indicated in the VictronConnect app. Are they both the same (a deviation of up to 1% is allowed)?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

Connect the charger to a partly discharged battery. Measure the battery voltage. Is the voltage of the battery slowly increasing?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

Is the battery being charged? Check if the charger progresses through the bulk, absorption, float, and storage charge stages. Is this the case?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

Force the charger to provide more charge current by connecting it to an empty battery or by switching on a large DC load connected to the same battery. Is the unit able to provide its full current rating?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

Measure the charge current with a DC current clamp. Is the charge current the same as indicated in the VictronConnect app (a deviation of up to 1% is allowed)?

  • Yes.

  • No, lodge a warranty claim.

For the IP65 and IP67 chargers only:

While the charger is providing the full current, measure the battery voltage. Compare this to the voltage as indicated in the VictronConnect app. Do the voltages deviate less than 3% from each other?

  • Yes.

  • No. This is probably not warrantable as bad cables, or cable connectors can cause it.

7. Remarks

Provide additional fault information or add issues not already covered in earlier questions

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8. RMA lodgement

For your information purposes, provide details after lodging the RMA

RMA type:

  • Warranty claim.

  • Non-warranty repair or replacement request.

RMA lodgement date

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Victron Energy RMA number

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Your reference number

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