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Post by willpark on Sept 25, 2018 17:17:42 GMT
I Have a 100W panel on a travel trailer, when charging I get no Amp indication (0.0) however the battery indicator seems to indicate it's charging. Under what circumstances should the charger show amps. The unit is in bright sunlight.
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Post by tattoo on Sept 25, 2018 17:41:15 GMT
I bet you have the panel + and - crossed...
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Post by willpark on Sept 25, 2018 18:48:28 GMT
It was installed where I purchased the trailer by their techs. They said not to expect it to show amps, just voltage. I'll check.
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Post by tattoo on Sept 25, 2018 19:00:01 GMT
It was installed where I purchased the trailer by their techs. They said not to expect it to show amps, just voltage. I'll check. Have you checked what's coming from the panels with them unhooked from the CC with an Amp meter? |
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Post by willpark on Sept 25, 2018 19:51:39 GMT
Checked with a meter, seem to be connected correctly, +11.9V at the PV Connectors. Did not disconnect the panel.
Panel Reads
11.6 PV
0.0 A
0.2 Kwh
11.8 Batt
Temp N/C
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Post by tattoo on Sept 25, 2018 20:49:04 GMT
By that you have a problem, Disconnect the panel from the CC and see if it's putting out anything..... Your killing your battery at 11.8 and that could be a lot of your problem but let's do one thing at a time.... Check the panel first by itself......
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Post by bupkis on Sept 25, 2018 21:14:04 GMT
They said not to expect it to show amps, just voltage. I'll check. Take it back to them. They are wrong and/or they sold it to you broken. |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 25, 2018 21:25:25 GMT
Take it back to them. They are wrong and/or they sold it to you broken. Yes sir that's where I'm leaning too........ I was wanting him to check things so he will be able to tell them why he knows it's broken... |
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Post by willpark on Sept 25, 2018 22:23:28 GMT
I appreciate the assistance/advice. I have disconnected the panel as first suggested, it is putting out 20.7 volts. it's a sunny afternoon here and the panel is a little dirty. Don't like the idea that it may be damaging the batteries so have temporarily capped the panel cable ends. Further suggestions would be appreciated.
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Post by Admin on Sept 25, 2018 22:55:18 GMT
I appreciate the assistance/advice. I have disconnected the panel as first suggested, it is putting out 20.7 volts. it's a sunny afternoon here and the panel is a little dirty. Don't like the idea that it may be damaging the batteries so have temporarily capped the panel cable ends. Further suggestions would be appreciated. The open circuit voltage seems to be okay. Have you checked for short circuit amperage? Also, are these panels going through a port, perhaps zamp, before connecting at the actual charge controller PV terminals? -Renogy Team |
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Post by willpark on Sept 25, 2018 23:55:59 GMT
Unfortunately, I don't have the tools or knowledge of where to check for a short, unless it's a fuse and I don't think that's the problem. I have checked the cables from the panel on the roof to the controller an can find no other components unless they are in the cable itself, unsure what a zamp is. There is an inline connector which I took to be a fuse.
This conversation started because I get no indication of amps (0.0) on the controlled and I wished to know at what point in the charging I should see something. I have had trouble with this dry camping and watching the battery go down with no indication that the solar is working, i.e. amps. Perhaps there is a threshold that I haven't met.
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Post by bupkis on Sept 26, 2018 0:09:12 GMT
Unfortunately, I don't have the tools or knowledge of where to check for a short That is why I suggest you take it back to where it was installed. 11.9v is low, at that voltage a single 100w panel in good sun should provide 5A of charging. Panels are magical, not connected to anything you should measure ~20v and you did. Connected, the panel voltage and battery voltage will be the same when charging, 11.9 vs 11.8 but the controller should display ~5A of charge. 5A of charge for 2 12v 100ah batteries is very little. An appropriate charge for 100ah is 10A for 2x12vx100ah 20ah. |
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Post by tattoo on Sept 26, 2018 0:15:36 GMT
Your CC isn't doing it's job.... Do you have a way to charge the battery with an AC battery charger? If so I would charge it for at least 12 hours to get your battery healthy again.... Then check it to see what the voltage is in the battery at rest...
What kind of battery do you have? Also how many?
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Post by jsb2000 on Sept 26, 2018 13:33:22 GMT
This sounds very similar to the experience I just had with my older panel (open circuit voltage was fine, but little to no current produced under load in full sunlight). In my case, Renogy determined that the panel was bad (and replaced it under warranty! Yay, Renogy!)
If you can, disconnect the panel from the controller, and measure the panel's output when shorted and in full sunlight. You should measure quite a bit of current flow. If you don't, then there's a problem with the panel.
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Post by Admin on Sept 26, 2018 14:12:13 GMT
Unfortunately, I don't have the tools or knowledge of where to check for a short, unless it's a fuse and I don't think that's the problem. I have checked the cables from the panel on the roof to the controller an can find no other components unless they are in the cable itself, unsure what a zamp is. There is an inline connector which I took to be a fuse. This conversation started because I get no indication of amps (0.0) on the controlled and I wished to know at what point in the charging I should see something. I have had trouble with this dry camping and watching the battery go down with no indication that the solar is working, i.e. amps. Perhaps there is a threshold that I haven't met. If you have a multi-meter you can follow these instructions to determine short circuit current. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPb0b-s-Wfs-Renogy Team |
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