Faulty Solar Panel

[GEOFF.PAULINE]

HI. Just a note to ask for some advice from members.

Last November I got my first Solar panel and so did my Daughter from anaconda .

I have used mine 3 times now and every time the 100a/h battery was flat 36 hrs later after running the fridge.

So I'm now thinking that this solar is useless even on sunny days.

Just brought a Watts UP meter and have found in direct sunlight the panel is producing around 18v , but only 0.02 amps.

That amount of amps is useless as the fridge takes 3.7

took it today to the daughters , laid it along side her identical panel , 5.44 amps and mine 0.03.

Bloody thing has been faulty from the day I purchased it , and like hers I have fitted Anderson plugs to suit the trailer.

Will have to return it as It is under warranty , only worry is having fitting andersons to it will it be $ 388.00 totally lost.

[Burto51]

Hmm sounds interesting, a solar panel that in direct sunlight produces a potential difference of 18 volts, sounds like that part of the unit is working. If you have a potential difference between two points in a closed circuit then current should flow, the amount dependent upon the circuit resistance. If no current flows then the circuit is either open or there is excessive resistance in the circuit resulting in a very small current flow. In your case with a reading of 0.03 amps, it appears that there is no flow.
You have mentioned that you fitted Anderson plugs to the panel, I know it sounds silly but is the polarity of the plugs correct.

You could also try this, take your solar panel and connect a bulb type test light say around 18 watt or higher to the panel plugs using small jumper leads, if the panel is producing is producing 18 volts then the light should illuminate. This should produce a current flow of 1 amp ( W= E*I; 18=18*1), if you use a higher wattage bulb then the current will be higher.

Hope this helps
Greg

PS I am concerned with all this talk of solar panels producing 18 volts that no-one appears to heed the gassing voltage of a battery, which is for continuous charge is 2.4 volts per cell.

[BigRed]

The open voltage produced by a 12 volt solar panel should be in the vicinity or 22 volts on a sunny day. That is why it is imperative to use a solar voltage regulator to drop it to around 13 -14 volts max. I am not a sparky but have been playing with solar panels for many years - before they became the norm.

My opinion only - John

[GEOFF.PAULINE]

Thanks John.

Yes the voltage out of the panel before the regulator does go 18 - 22 v , then lower after the regulator.

But the problem is at any point I only have 3/ 100ths of an Amp which is basically nothing.

The Voltage is fine , there is NO AMPS at all , very frustrating and I admit I do not understand

Thanks.

[Burto51]

Maybe its time to fill up the amp tank LOL

[GEOFF.PAULINE]

not a good introduction to my first solar panel , but just my luck to get a faulty one.

It's going back unless someone on the forum has an answer.

Full voltage but no Amps , confused me , but now I know why the batteries did not charge .

Cheers . Geoff.

[robcaz]

Hi Geoff,

Check to make sure the Anderson has the red wire to the + & the black wire to the -. I checked the 12volt system over for the young couple that were in the bus at Myall who had no solar input & found the Anderson had been wired up the wrong way by an auto electrician. Easy fix.

Some 'watts up' meter copies do funny things when put inline with a some solar regulators, in particular MPPT's.

Does the solar panel have a fuse in the black box on the back of the panel???

Does the regulator in the camper function???

Is there a fuse between the regulator & the battery???

Oh & don't stand in front of the panel

[GEOFF.PAULINE]

Hi. Rob
Thanks for your reply.
The red lead is connected to the + on each Plug.

The lead has a 15a fuse which I tested is o.k.

Just set up panel here under cloudy / rain sky.

On the short lead out of the actual panels 18.07v 0.09 a

at end of 5 meter lead 18.06 v 0.09 a

5 meter lead connected to Anderson on camper to ctek 18.06 v max amps 0.41 ( watch for 10 minutes )

load side of ctek 13.03 v amps still max at 0.07 to 0.41

Battery without any load is currently charged to 12.7 v

Thanks . Geoff.

[GEOFF.PAULINE]

Rob .

There is no fuse between the regulator and the battery

I have just set up using the supplied regulator and battery clamps , readings are 12.97 v , again no amps above 0.41

Thanks Geoff.

[robcaz]

Hi Geoff,

Make sure there are no pos & neg wires touching. A member was having trouble with a panel at one of the weekend meets & I found the cable had pulled out a little at the regulator on the back of the panel exposing bare wires which were touching.