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Thread: Charger attached to portable solar panel faulty

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    Charger attached to portable solar panel faulty

    I've been using the 160 amp folding panel to keep the 120 amp deep cycle battery in the camper charged. It's all about three years old. I noticed via my phone app that the battery charge was slowly dropping. A check of output from the attached charger on the solar panel showed 2.5 volts, and from the panel (disconnected from the charger.) 19.6 volts. It was a bright sunny day, about 27˚C
    So, shouldn't the charger be putting out more than that, and if the above suggests the charger is stuffed, What would be a good efficient thing to replace it with?
    Thanks in anticipation.
    IMG_7161.jpg






    Don.

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    Was the 2.5V when connected to the battery? If so, disconnect the charger and measure the battery terminal voltage. Maybe the battery is flat/stuffed.
    Ron B.
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    Quote Originally Posted by p38arover View Post
    Was the 2.5V when connected to the battery? If so, disconnect the charger and measure the battery terminal voltage. Maybe the battery is flat/stuffed.
    Thanks Ron, No, the charger was disconnected from the battery. At that stage, the battery had discharged to 35%. 12.? volts. I've had it on a 240 volt charger since, and it's come up well.
    Don.

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    Definitely sounds like a busted solar panel. The kings panels are ok imho
    "Land Rover - making mechanics out of everyday motorists for nearly 70 years"

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    It could be a faulty panel or a faulty solar controller ("charger"), Try using a new MPPT controller (they are pretty inexpensive now) on your panel.
    If this doesn't work your panel is buggered.
    You only get one shot at life, Aim well

    2004 D2 "S" V8 auto, with a few Mods gone
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    As the panel alone is putting out 19.6 volts, but only 2.5V is getting out through the charger, I'm suspicious that the charger is the problem. I've looked at MPPT chargers but I'm not electrically literate enough to know which to choose. Can anyone help with the calculations?
    The pair of panels are rated at 160 watts. The label shown above appears on each of the two panels. The battery is rated at 120 amps.
    Don

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    p38arover's Avatar
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    Just because the advert says the controller is MPPT, it may not be. Many Chinese PWM controllers are marked MPPT. MPPT is more expensive.

    I'd trust one from Victron Victron Energy

    Maybe borrow a controller to try on your panels. Come here and try mine.
    Ron B.
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    Thanks Ron, that's a generous offer. I'd looked at the Victron brand, but was unable to figure out which to choose.
    PM sent.
    Don.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Don 130 View Post
    Thanks Ron, that's a generous offer. I'd looked at the Victron brand, but was unable to figure out which to choose.
    PM sent.
    Don.
    The ‘blue solar’ style have built in Bluetooth. The other style needs a Bluetooth dongle. There’s a free app
    "Land Rover - making mechanics out of everyday motorists for nearly 70 years"

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    Quote Originally Posted by Don 130 View Post
    Thanks Ron, that's a generous offer. I'd looked at the Victron brand, but was unable to figure out which to choose.
    PM sent.
    Don.
    Just a basic 75/15 Victron.

    Screen shot of app


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