Troubleshooting Solar

[ksitte]

Hi folks,

Setting out for the first trip of the season. Disconnected from the umbilical cord and noticed that the solar panels are not charging the batteries. Wires seem all connected when I wiggle the exposed ones. Next step? I thought things were fine because the panels charged my batteries in storage all winter.

What's the first thing I should examine for troubleshooting?

[padlin]

What's the voltage level you're seeing on the Controller?

[emers382]

Perhaps it's something to do with sitting all winter. The same thing happened when I picked p our new-to-us 5.0TA last year. It had been in storage until I hooked up, the solar had kept batteries charged up. I camped on the way home and could not get the controller to indicate it was charging even in full sun, it said it was in night mode. I just unscrewed the display to check the wires on it and it started working.

[ksitte]

12.8 v but when the Controller cycles to input screen, it says .1 in full sun. And on the power readout it says 89%.

So we decided to go out anyway. What’s the worst that could happen? Even if we need to rely on flashlights, we’re camping! Beats staying at home.

[ksitte]

I’ll try reconnecting the readout tomorrow. Too comfortable by the lake to worry about it.

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by ksitte

12.8 v but when the Controller cycles to input screen, it says .1 in full sun. And on the power readout it says 89%.

So we decided to go out anyway. What’s the worst that could happen? Even if we need to rely on flashlights, we’re camping! Beats staying at home.

Someone wiser will surely chime in, but I think the 12.8v may be indicating you are at/near full charge. The solar controller is supposed to prevent overcharging the battery and will cut the input from the panels. You may be just fine and once your battery drops low enough the solar may charge them back as expected.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by ksitte

12.8 v but when the Controller cycles to input screen, it says .1 in full sun. And on the power readout it says 89%.

So we decided to go out anyway. What’s the worst that could happen? Even if we need to rely on flashlights, we’re camping! Beats staying at home.

I agree with MikeS, it sounds like your batteries are approaching full.

When we had our battery issues GoPower told us to disconnect the controller to reset it, and once the controller is disconnected leave it disconnected for at least a minute. I would wait five minutes though.

Food for thought.

Perry

[ksitte]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

I agree with MikeS, it sounds like your batteries are approaching full.

When we had our battery issues GoPower told us to disconnect the controller to reset it, and once the controller is disconnected leave it disconnected for at least a minute. I would wait five minutes though.

Food for thought.

Perry,

I am now back to a location where I have reliable Internet access.

When you say to "disconnect the controller" I'm assuming you mean the power cables, not the telephone wire type connection. Am I correct?

Klaus

PS: here's the controller back: which is/are the wires to disconnect?

[Iowa Dave]

On the back of your controller where the readout is, are DIP switches. There were 5 on our 19. One of them got bumped by a stack of red solo cups and charging stopped. Might want to check them against the recommendations in the book. After the second time it happened I went to drinking straight from the keg. This was a Go Power controller mounted in an upper cupboard on the 19. I took out the four screws to pull it out and get at the back and threw the cups away.
Iowa Dave