Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2018 15:56:36 GMT
Apr 15, 2018 22:12:16 GMT @virtualsolar said:
I have a 100watt panel and the HP 2430 charge controller.
I connected the battery then the panel.
The controller has a picture of the pannel and dots moving to the battery, so the controller seems to recognize the battery and the controller.
The controller shows a panel voltage of 12.8 volts, but 0 AH sending to the battery.
I have a small 6watt load connected to the controller, but the battery level is still dropping.
The controller shows battery charging as "BOOST".
Right now, I just have everything set up in my workshop, and not outside. I have a 60watt incandescent bulb shinning right onto the panel.
Is that not enough to generate some charge to the battery?
Apr 15, 2018 22:25:33 GMT @virtualsolar said:
The other things I just noticed. If I disconnect the panel from the controller and put my volt meter right on the panel, it reads ~18v. When I plug the panel into the controller, the controller briefly displays a panel voltage of 17.8 volts, then drops down to 12.8 volts where it stays.
Apr 15, 2018 23:43:50 GMT @victor said:
place panel in direct sun and make sure your setting is correct for the kind of battery you have. I'm no expert, but I did lookup your controller would also recommend turn off load until fully charged initially.. set points are different for different batteries. default for your charger is Sealed SLD you should be able to set for flooded or gell or li as well.
Apr 16, 2018 11:39:31 GMT @rabird said:
you need the sun.
A solar panel can operate over a wide range of volatages from zero to Voc (in good sun Voc of a '12v' panel is ~22v, read the sticker on the back).
Folks test solar panels in full sun with a volt meter set to volts, measure the voltage and it should be 20+v, then you set your meter to amps and measure the amps. Both of these pts are at zero power of a panels IV curve. When connected to controller/battery the panel will match the batt voltage while charging.
at the bottom on this pdf is an iv curve for, note the red line, the panel CAN operate from zero to Voc, now not the power green line, there is no power at Voc and Isc, both points that can be measured with a volt meter. This IV curve is when in FULL sunlight.
www.renogy.com/template/files/Specifications/100-Watt-12-Volt-Monocrystalline-Solar-Panel-Specifications.pdf may not be your exact panel
May 9, 2018 4:07:04 GMT @virtualsolar said:
Thanks for the replies.
I have finally had a chance to get the panel outside and mounted. The battery still does not appear to be charging.
The battery is an Interstate deep cycle marine/RV battery. The charge controller is set to flooded as the battery type. The controller shows BOOST when it's out in the sun.
The load is .8 AH as shown by the controller, and is a constant load.
The controller shows the panel is charging the battery at 3AH.
Yet every day when I check, the battery % level is lower than it was the previous day.
The battery charges and holds a charge when charged with a normal AC battery charger.
So I'm confused as to that's going on here.
May 9, 2018 11:19:16 GMT @rabird said:
your load is too big! .8A x 24 hrs is ~20ah
disconnect the load and let the sun FULLY charge the battery for a couple of days
learn the difference between A and AH.
Yep to big of a load for a small single battery... Your killing your battery.....
It sounds like your panels are doing all they can...
And yes learn the difference between A and AH..........