Solar charger controller question

[Seraphim]

After the solar install last night, it was dark, and the controller monitor advised '0 volts 0 amps' being produced by the array. This morning is very gray and overcast. The monitor reads the same.

I double checked all connections when I made them, and there are no faults or anything showing up. I got the little smiley face that shows no problems. I haven't checked the fuse this morning. I did use a thirty amp when they recommended 32.

My question is, is there a threshold wattage (voltage, amperage) where the monitor won't display, is it just too overcast for the panels to produce anything, or any other possible reason besides a problem in the wiring?

Since this is my first time, there's a lot I don't know..

 

[ccbreder]

Wait for the sun.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I haven't checked the fuse this morning. I did use a thirty amp when they recommended 32.

I've never heard of a 32 amp fuse . . . Common sizes are 30 amps and 35 amps . . .

BUT I have seen where all of these fuses are rated for 32 VOLTS max, regardless of how many amps they are designed for.

This makes me suspect you misread something - or they misprinted or mistranslated something. I'd double check the fuse.

Regards
John

 

[Seraphim]

I've never heard of a 32 amp fuse . . . Common sizes are 30 amps and 35 amps . . .

BUT I have seen where all of these fuses are rated for 32 VOLTS max, regardless of how many amps they are designed for.

This makes me suspect you misread something - or they misprinted or mistranslated something. I'd double check the fuse.

Regards
John

The email I got from Renogy said 32 amp fuse. She wrote with a Spanish accent lol. I think she just used their little formula for figuring a fuse. They post the formula online. That's why I went with 30 amp, rather than a 35. If nothing happens when the sun comes out, I'll check the fuse. It may have pulled loose when I adjusted the cables, although it was taped in place

 

[Seraphim]

I checked the fuse - un blown and. Solidly in place.

Going to be cloudy all day, but the sun shone enough for a few minutes enough to create a mild shadow - which fell on the panel's, of course. Nothing on the monitor, and I rebooted the controller, just in case.

It read the battery info properly, so no connection problem there.

Not sure when the sun's going to come out. If it does, I'll pop the camper back on the truck and take it out to an open area.

After TDay, I'll do it the proper way, and have a buddy bring his meter over and check the connections. If there's a break in the circuit, he'll find it.

 

[Bela's Mom]

You might check the wires going into your controller again to make sure they are tight. I have a Renogy controller and one time used a screw driver that was too large to go past the green insulator around the screw. It kept the screw from tightening down the metal piece that bites the wire and the wire eventually fell out. Since I used a smaller screwdriver, I haven't had any problems with it coming loose.

Hope that you get it sorted out.

 

[Seraphim]

Thanks. I guess I just expected some reading on the monitor, even on a very overcast day: not enough to charge, but to at least register on the meter. Does yours register minor voltages and amps? The cables are solidly secured in the controller. But ... Like I said, I'll leave it until after the holidays.

 

[Bela's Mom]

I have the cheap 30 amp one without led display or monitor.

Maybe you'll see something once the sun comes out. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

You didn't say what you trimetric is reading. I get 0.01 or 0.02 amps on a 2030 on a very overcast and dark day. -- Spiff

 

[SternWake]

If the panel is not making more than say 11 volts, the charge controller has nothing to do. Low sun angle , thick clouds, don't freak out unless you get a sunny day and see nothing. What is your latitude?

While I'm at 32N, and usually even in overcast conditions I can see an amp or two, even in winter, sometimes the cloud cover is so thick that my controller kicks out. My IPN pro remote has a panel output spec and it will say something like 10.3 volts 0.0 amps in, 0.0 amps out

Where as in good strong summer sun it will say 17.4 panel volts 11.5 amps in, 13.1 amps out. It is a MPPT controller.

 

[highdesertranger]

you should be getting something on a overcast day. I have even got something off street lights. maybe the meter just isn't reading it. see what she says on a sunny day. happy tday. highdesertranger

 

[Seraphim]

You didn't say what you trimetric is reading. I get 0.01 or 0.02 amps on a 2030 on a very overcast and dark day. -- Spiff

My battery monitor is not hooked into the solar system. That measures what goes across the shunt from the battery to the electrical panel. It won't measure charge from the panel's.

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If the panel is not making more than say 11 volts, the charge controller has nothing to do. Low sun angle , thick clouds, don't freak out unless you get a sunny day and see nothing. What is your latitude?

While I'm at 32N, and usually even in overcast conditions I can see an amp or two, even in winter, sometimes the cloud cover is so thick that my controller kicks out. My IPN pro remote has a panel output spec and it will say something like 10.3 volts 0.0 amps in, 0.0 amps out

Where as in good strong summer sun it will say 17.4 panel volts 11.5 amps in, 13.1 amps out. It is a MPPT controller.

Mine is a PMW controller. The winter sun is low, very overcast, and I'm parked next to a large evergreen which shaded the panel. There wasn't enough direct sunlight to cause a shadow. We're in Cincinnati, and I'm not sure of the latitude.

May not have sun until next week. Or month *smile*

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Thanks HDR happy turkey day to you as well.

I'll get it figured out.

 

[Seraphim]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

I goofed. Further explanation on the main install thread...

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Thanks everyone for the assistance

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

My battery monitor is not hooked into the solar system. That measures what goes across the shunt from the battery to the electrical panel. It won't measure charge from the panel's.

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You might want to consider running your negative solar controller output to the shunt instead of directly to the battery. Otherwise you will lose a lot of the functionality of the 2025. -- Spiff

 

[Seraphim]

It's something I'll think about - haven't thought that far ahead.

The monitor still monitors the charge from the alternator and from shore power, and still displays the battery's output, so it doesn't seem to have lost its functionality for me.