How to clean solar panels in boondocks?

[SoulRaven]

Pretty good call, Sir Jim of Denver.   I unplugged the battery from the controller,  and checked the PV output,  32.5.

Thanks

I think part of what you suggested ended up with me " rebooting " my controller. 
Of course,  it's been raining most of the afternoon,  but  it seems to be doing better. 

Thx, Pat

 

[MrNoodly]

I ues a rectangular paint pad (about 10" by 4") on a collapsing painter pole I also use as a tarp pole. I stand in the back door, pour some water on the panel and wipe the dirt off. Then I rinse the pad and repeat the process. I guess I could look for a sponge/squeegee that would screw on the painter pole.

 

[SoulRaven]

I ues a rectangular paint pad (about 10" by 4") on a collapsing painter pole I also use as a tarp pole. I stand in the back door, pour some water on the panel and wipe the dirt off. Then I rinse the pad and repeat the process. I guess I could look for a sponge/squeegee that would screw on the painter pole.

I like the blog,  whoever it belongs to.  I have my own version of the rule of twos.

I'll tell you sometime. 

Thx,

Pat

 

[SoulRaven]

I think part of what you suggested ended up with me " rebooting " my controller. 
Of course,  it's been raining most of the afternoon,  but  it seems to be doing better. 

Thx, Pat

It looks to me (a novice with Solar controllers) that I may have messed it up somehow.   When I remove the PV cables from the controller and measure the output from the panel, the meter reads ~ 34 volts.  When I re-insert them into the controller, it reads 34, then starts dropping to ~26 .. goes as low as 23.  

When I measure the output from the battery , the meter reads ~11.7... the meter on the controller reads 12.5 V.  
I've tried unplugging everything (PV cables first, as the manual insists) and let it sit awhile (~10 minutes) 
Then start plugging things back in, and it seems for a minute like I've fixed things.   But I haven't.  It's a beautiful day today, bright sunny skies...

All I did , I swear, is move my trailer about 200 yards .  It IS a really bumpy Forest Service road, but I went very slowly. 

This hasn't worked right since.  

Should I just order a new controller?  If so, should I get something other than a Renogy?  

Thanks in advance for any help, 

Pat 

ps.  HDR, if you think this should be split into another thread, feel free.  It HAS kind of changed subject matter.

 

[jimindenver]

As far as the panel dropping voltage after it is hooked up to the controller, again that is the voltage under load or working voltage. Part of what the MPPT controller does is tweak the voltage of the array to get the most amps out of it as it can. MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking and you are seeing it at work changing the working voltage. I have seen a working voltage of 20 on a 245w mono panel that had a Voc of 38v. It was still producing the amps just at the working voltage that the program decided was best.

Now for the batteries. Measure at the batteries terminal and at the output terminal of the controller. Those cables should handle the current just fine. Are the readings different? Are those readings different from what the controller thinks it should be? Also check all of your connections, a loose one can drive you crazy.

Do you have a alternate means of charging? 11.7v is a ugly way to leave your batteries for very long. What you might do if it is the controller depends on what you may do in the future. We have talked about expanding your system and if that is still on the table you might as well be prepared for it now with a larger controller. Stand pat and you could get a newer version of what you have or go to EP solar directly for the newest model. The Eco-worthy 20a is inexpensive, easy to set and durable but lacks many features people now find desirable. One of the Victrons suggested on the forum is inexpensive and looks to be more advanced than the Eco-worthy in a few ways.

I hope you get it worked out my friend. Charge up those batteries even if you have to use jumper cables.

 

[SoulRaven]

As far as the panel dropping voltage after it is hooked up to the controller, again that is the voltage under load or working voltage. Part of what the MPPT controller does is tweak the voltage of the array to get the most amps out of it as it can. MPPT stands for Maximum Power Point Tracking and you are seeing it at work changing the working voltage. I have seen a working voltage of 20 on a 245w mono panel that had a Voc of 38v. It was still producing the amps just at the working voltage that the program decided was best.

Now for the batteries. Measure at the batteries terminal and at the output terminal of the controller. Those cables should handle the current just fine. Are the readings different? Are those readings different from what the controller thinks it should be? Also check all of your connections, a loose one can drive you crazy.

Do you have a alternate means of charging? 11.7v is a ugly way to leave your batteries for very long. What you might do if it is the controller depends on what you may do in the future. We have talked about expanding your system and if that is still on the table you might as well be prepared for it now with a larger controller. Stand pat and you could get a newer version of what you have or go to EP solar directly for the newest model. The Eco-worthy 20a is inexpensive, easy to set and durable but lacks many features people now find desirable. One of the Victrons suggested on the forum is inexpensive and looks to be more advanced than the Eco-worthy in a few ways.

I hope you get it worked out my friend. Charge up those batteries even if you have to use jumper cables.

Expanding is still very much on the table. I almost had another 235 panel. And then, $$$ got tight. So, would look at getting a better controller. Definitely.

I'd love to talk to you about this if you have the time.  I don't really know how to get in touch with you.  I always get your voicemail.   Can I just charge the batteries with the car?  I DO have a generator, and a quick start gizmo also.  

Got a recommendation?  

Thanks,

Pat

 

[John61CT]

FYI if 235 is the wattage, that is a great match with a Victron MPPT 75/15, can get them under $100.

One SC per panel is ideal for redundancy, flexibility and handling shading issues, and in this case can be even cheaper than just getting on bigger SC.

For max efficiency a nominal 24V panel is better, really higher the voltage the better, up to 65Voc anyway.

Also great for minimizing voltage drop over longer wire runs.

 

[jimindenver]

Pat

I will drive out to a place that my phone gets connection in a bit here. You need some type of charger that plugs into the generator even your basic2/12/70 Schumaker if nothing else. A adjustable converter would be best but as it is, anything to get the batteries up. When you do expand it will be cheaper and easier to replace the 220w with a matching set.

John

He has a CanadianSolar 220w mono that was likely older when I bought it unused in 2012. I agree with the 75/15 except he wants to expand. So it is either spend more now anticipating the expansion or plan on running multiple controllers paralleled to the battery. I have done it with three Eco-worthys and while it works, it is a wiring headache.

 

[John61CT]

> running multiple controllers paralleled to the battery

Yes that is what I consider optimal as spec'd above, despite the added wiring.

Also no issues when adding different voltage panels later, each MPPT can consistently optimize output.

 

[SoulRaven]

Pat

I will drive out to a place that my phone gets connection in a bit here. You need some type of charger that plugs into the generator even your basic2/12/70  Schumaker if nothing else. A adjustable converter would be best but as it is, anything to get the batteries up. When you do expand it will be cheaper and easier to replace the 220w with a matching set.

John

He has a CanadianSolar 220w mono that was likely older when I bought it unused in 2012. I agree with the 75/15 except he wants to expand. So it is either spend more now anticipating the expansion or plan on running multiple controllers paralleled to the battery. I have done it with three Eco-worthys and while it works, it is a wiring headache.

You don't need to drive, Jim.  I didn't realize that you didn't have service out there.  Wherever there is.  

I went ahead and ordered a Victron 75/15.  If I can afford a heftier controller later, I'm sure I can find a home for this. 
I'm trying to save $$$ to visit my sister in TX for Thanksgiving.  She's going to be alone T'day.  

I checked the voltage at the battery terminal just a few minutes ago.  It reads 12.5.  The controller meter reads 12.9-13.1.  

Regards and thanks to everyone for all the help,

Pat