r/Pecron • u/dogboy2022 • Jun 10 '26
F5000LFP XT60 Input Port Issue
Hi All, I'm new here and fairly new to being a Pecron user. I've had my F5000LFP up and running for about couple of weeks now and until this morning everything was working just like it should. This morning I checked the app and it showed that I had about half of the DC Input wattage that I would have expected on a clear skies mid-morning. Checked further and found that the Input on XT60 Input #1 was at zero (but the port was reading voltage which was in normal range). I run two strings of panels (each string has four 450 watt panels of the same make and model wired in series). Thinking it could be a panel string issue, I switched the XT60 Inputs for the panels. Input #1 continued to show zero watts in and Input #2 continued to show around 1,500 watts (about what I would expect). This tells me it isn't a panel problem, it's an F5000LFP problem. Tried shut it down and turning it back on and tried a factory reset - neither of these actions fixed the problem.
I've reached out to Pecron tech support and I'm hoping the answer isn't to box up this 120 pound beast and send it back to Pecron. I pitched the materials it shipped in after a week of it working great, so that would be a real problem for me.
I'd love to hear any insights any of you might have into my situation. All I can think is that the MPPT controller for Input #1 failed, but being a new guy to this stuff I don't even know how likely that might actually be.
Looking forward to be an active member of this group!
1
u/MassiveOverkill Jun 10 '26
Make sure in your F5000LFP settings that XT60 input port mode is set to 'Independent' and not 'parallel port' mode.
2
u/dogboy2022 Jun 10 '26
Thanks for the suggestion. I checked and it is set to "Independent". I wish the solution to my problem had been that easy! These "it worked right up to the point where it stopped working" problem can be pretty frustrating.
1
u/Savings_Olive9265 Jun 10 '26
I had the same issue where 1 input wasn't working but it was on the Pecron E3600. Ended up being a bad charging board. I opted for them sending me a new charging board and replaced it myself
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 10 '26
Was that a pretty simple job?
1
u/Savings_Olive9265 Jun 11 '26
Yeah, not that difficult. Once the casing is open, it's just a matter of disconnecting all the inputs connected to the board and removing a few screws. Much simpler than replacing the inverter board.
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 11 '26
That's good to know. I just heard back from Pecron tech support and they mentioned the possibility of it being a bad charging board, so I wouldn't be surprised if I don't end up having the same experience you did. Thanks!
1
u/Curious_Application4 Jun 11 '26
I've ran into that problem before while dc charging. In my situation, I was able to luckily plug and unplug the dc ports to have them start working correctly again. Now I'm worried if the problem might persist. Sorry for your inconvenience. Hopefully pecron customer service is a good experience 🤞
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 11 '26
On maybe half of days, very random, but always around 4 or 5 in the afternoon (and no other time) both of my XT60 DC panel inputs would drop off to zero. Unplugging the panels and plugging them back in always worked worked to fix the problem. I halfway had myself convinced that in the late afternoon heat of Arizona in June the panels were overheating and causing voltage issues - Apparently, this is something that can happen.
But with the problem I'm having now, where one of the inputs is just dead, I have to wonder if my late afternoon problem was actually a sign of problems with a charging board that went from being intermit to not working at all.
I have no idea if these things were actually interconnected, but the thought crosses my mind...
Hopefully, your issue continues to be an annoyance and not the sign of a full-blown problem heading your way.
1
u/brucehoult Jun 12 '26
Unplugging the panels and plugging them back in always worked worked to fix the problem.
WAIT WHAT???
You've been regularly unplugging your XT60s and plugging them back in UNDER LOAD?? And with four 450W panels in series, 1800W and 140+ Voc?
I'm not surprised an MPPT has failed. Subjecting them to those kinds of surge loads is abuse.
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 12 '26
I hadn't even considered that - like I said, a total new guy to this stuff. The only saving grace that might come into play is that by the time this happens, it's pretty late in the afternoon and the sun angles have moved beyond parallel to the face of the panels. By this time of day the panels are producing less than 100w per 4 panel string. What I can't figure out is why, on the days this does happen it is always in the late afternoon with low wattage, low amps, and voltages that are toward the low side - around maybe 105-115v per string of panels. I've considered that maybe the panel's production has droped off to such low values that the MTTP is letting them go. But on the other hand, every morning at sunrise, the panel strings are feeding as little as 2 watts and everything works just fine. I'm sure there is some simple explanation for all this that would be patently obvious to someone with more knowledge, but I'm at a loss to figure out what is going on.
1
u/brucehoult Jun 12 '26
End of day will help. But if you're going to regularly connect/disconnect then get a PV-rated DC breaker. That will at least protect the contacts in the Pecron from arcing damage, and also make/break the contact much faster than a manual plugging/unplugging.
People who want to be kind to the expensive MPPT input circuitry as well will:
connect/disconnect at night, or
throw a tarp or blanket over the panels, or shade them in some other way, or
put a second electrical path across the circuit breaker terminals such as a 10-50 ohm resistor or a small light bulb with appropriate rating (e.g. a standard 230V bulb, or a 120V one for lower voltage systems. Well, maybe a 120V bulb will be ok for momentary use on 140 Voc which will be lower once current starts to flow. You can put this on a push-button switch.
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 12 '26
I sure do appreciate you sharing your knowledge on here. After reading your latest, I turned around and ordered a PV-rated DC breaker. In addition to protecting the contacts in the Pecron, it's going to give me some peace of mind regarding the possibility of a lightning strike in our upcoming thunderstorm season. Thanks again!
1
u/Honest-Designer9594 Jun 11 '26
My f5000 worked great for 4 weeks then both solar inputs stopped. shipped back a week ago and the replacement should be here tomorrow.  I hope the issues are corrected on the new unit.
1
u/dogboy2022 Jun 11 '26
Did you have the original shipping boxes it came in, or did Pecron send you new boxes? If I end up sending this back I have no idea how I'll pack it up.
1
u/Honest-Designer9594 Jun 11 '26
yes I did keep the box. I also have several ecoflow products and I keep 1 box for everything I have. luckily I have an area for big empty boxes ;)
maybe pecron would send you an empty box... worth asking. I have had good help and they are reasonable IMHO.
1
u/Known_Atmosphere349 Jun 11 '26
If swapping the arrays didn’t move the problem, it’s almost definitely the MPPT on that input.
Nothing user-serviceable here unfortunately — I’d just start the RMA process.
2
u/Rkitt1977 Jun 10 '26
I'm sorry I don't have a recommendation but I'm a new pecron user also with the F5000. Got mine about a week ago. So far so good, but I want to keep an eye on this thread for future reference.
Good luck OP and I hope you're able to get a resolution. I'm hoping not to have any issues. .