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Volts but no amps

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  • Volts but no amps

    I have a small boat with 3 small permanent panels 2 x 20w & 1 x 40w, so 80 total, when on board I also plug in and additional 100w panel.

    I believe they 'were' working OK, I have registered a max input of 5.1 amps, that was without the additional 100w panel plugged in.

    Now it's warm and I have wanted to run a small fridge unit, I have been plugging in the larger 100w panel, but doing so initially made no little difference to the amps out.

    I have tested the l00w panel and it seems to put out the expected voltage, but no amps.

    Plus I no longer seem to be getting any amps form the other three units. The remote meter is not showing any input, plus I bought a clamp meter and that actually shows negative amps. I have tested the clamp meter on other appliances an seem to get a sensible reading so I have some faith that it's reading is correct.

    The 4 12v panels are wired to a junction box with just one cable going on to the regulator.

    I have some pics here if it helps - http://www.westerly-centaur.co.uk/so...and-smartguage

    Any ideas what could be wrong?

  • #2
    Sounds like something is mis wired
    Check the polarity on the 100 watt panel.
    NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

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    • #3
      The photos are no help in seeing ?? the problem.. Can you draw a simple panels and controller wiring diagram ?? indicate pos and neg wires exiting from panels. And show how they are connected to charge controller.

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      • #4
        I did try reversing the polarity but the problem was still the same.

        I then took apart all of the wiring and started again. It too a few hours,, but success!

        I guess there was either a loose connection or something mis-wired somewhere.

        Thanks for all your help.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by GaryCottam View Post
          I have a small boat with 3 small permanent panels 2 x 20w & 1 x 40w, so 80 total, when on board I also plug in and additional 100w panel.
          WARNING! ESPECIALLY on a boat!

          You know that when you parallel more than 2 identical panels together you need to "protect the wiring" and now fuse each panel right?

          Reason being, let's say one of your small 20 watt panel leads shorts out onboard. Guess what - all the other panels will now send their current through that shorted panel wiring. I hope you used large gauge wiring capable of accepting 10 amps or so. Otherwise, your panel leads if made out of small guage speaker wire, they have become the fuse, and that's the last thing you want lighting up on board.

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