FlexMax FM100 AFCI Installation

ManualsBrandsOutback Power ManualsCharge ControllersOutback FlexMax FM100, 100 amp, Charge Controller with AFCI

900-0253-01-00 Rev A

Troubleshooting

IMPORTANT:

Check the OutBack customer and user forum at www.outbackpower.com/forum/ for more

FLEXmax 100 information.

General Troubleshooting

An OutBack MATE3s system display may be required for certain troubleshooting steps in Table 7.

Table 7 Troubleshooting

Symptom Remedy

Unit does not power up

upon initial connection

(no LED indicators or

system display

operation).



Check the battery connection and polarity. Reverse polarity or an improper

connection will cause power-up issues.



Check the battery circuit breaker or device. Ensure all items are sized appropriately.



Check the battery voltage at the FLEXmax 100 terminals. A battery voltage below

15 Vdc may not power up the charge controller. A poor connection may not allow

sufficient voltage to reach the charge controller.



Rapid shutdown condition. The system display

Fault Input Active

message

will show

(see page 38). This is not a controller error but a deliberate action.

See pages 18, and 24, and 58 for more information. Resetting this condition

requires resetting the external rapid shutdown device.

Upper limits: 24-volt system = 275 Vdc, 36-volt system = 283 Vdc,

48-volt system = 290 Vdc. See page 68 for more information.

IMPORTANT:

The FLEXmax 100 will not function unless jumper J5, the OutBack RSI, or a similar

normally-closed device is installed on the rapid shutdown terminals. Initial power-up

will result in a rapid shutdown signal. See page 24.

Unit powers up but

does not operate.

PV voltage is present

but drops to a few

volts when connected.

Check PV wiring. This will occur if the PV array wiring polarity is reversed.

The heatsink may grow warm after a short time due to internal current flow.

Unit not operating;

unit had worked

normally before.



This behavior is normal in cases of low light. Unit may be in “Sleep”, “Snooze”,

or “Wakeup” modes. Confirm conditions and behavior using Table 4 on page 34.



Battery temperature fault. Check temperature (see system display literature).

If the RTS reads in excess of 50°C, it indicates a battery too hot to safely operate.

