There is a problem with the Cerbo with SN- HQ2201xxxxx up and including HQ2220xxxx. Please see document attached to prevent this from happening with future units.
Notes from Victron: On the recent batches of the Cerbo GX, there is an error in the design of the power supply causing it to fail – on some – 48V systems. In such system, a replacement Cerbo with the same internals is likely to fail again, unless installed according to this document. In most cases, the failure happens immediately when power is applied to the unit. I.e. when wiring it, installing the fuse and/or switching the system on. This document provides a solution by adding a capacitor on the power input. This also applies to already installed systems, to prevent those from failing later on. The failure typically occurs when first connecting the system; but can also happen once installed. Systems with a 12 or 24V battery are not affected. Note that the solution proposed in this document does not fix an already broken Cerbo. A broken Cerbo needs to be replaced, which is covered under warranty. When installing the replacement, check its serial number against the range in this document. When it matches, make sure to add the capacitor, to prevent the replacement from failing as well.
At power-up of the Cerbo GX the inrush current causes a voltage peak. The maximum voltage of the peak depends on the length of the supply cable, size of the current and other parameters that will differ from one system to another. In some 48V systems this transient exceeds the limits of the power supply circuit causing it to break.
Model: Cerbo GX, part number BPP900450100 Serial numbers: HQ2201xxxxx up and including HQ2220xxxx
Solution & required parts
Solution: Add a capacitor on the input, in parallel to the power wiring, as shown in picture on the right. The capacitor needs to stay there permanently, to avoid issues in the future on powerup. We recommend to isolate the pins with a small piece of heat shrink, as shown in the second photo. Carefully check proper connection of both the capacitor and the Cerbo power wires. The factory power cables are bootlace ferrule terminated and the smaller capacitor leads will be loose if not carefully aligned. We recommend to cut the factory bootlace ferrules off and re-crimp the wire and the leads of the capacitor into new bootlaces. Its not necessary to install the capacitor on 12 or 24V systems. Its also not a problem to install the capacitor on such systems.
Below types have been selected on availability from stock as well as tested to solve the issue. For now, the best and fastest way to obtain them is purchasing them locally from a electronics distributor; such as Farnell, Digikey or Mouser. We will also be stocking these capacitors in Almere, but due to distance as well as volume of Cerbo GX-es sold monthly, it will for many situations be quicker to order locally through one of the mentioned electronics distributors.
