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  • Testing Charge Controller

    Hi All,

    I bought a charge controller. Can anyone tell me if I can use a wall wart(12vdc of course and within the amp range)to test the controller. Can I connect the output leads of the wall wart into where the solar panel wiring would connect into the charge controller? Will I be ok testing this way as long as I don't go over the max amps of the charge controller.

    Thanks,
    Kenny

  • #2
    Most charge controllers want to see about 16-25V on the input, and for battery safety, they don't power up unless 9-11V is present at the battery terminal.

    As long as you dont exceed the charge controllers input voltage, or amps, you should be fine.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

    Comment


    • #3
      Charge Controller Query

      Mr.Mike,

      I have question to ask.. Can you help me to test the charge controller whether it float and boost voltage working properly??

      I connected Vm 18W panel with 10A CC, 12V battery. I found PV voltage 12.5 and Out of CC to battery also same. But specification of CC reads boost voltage 14.4.

      How to confirm this whether my charge controller is working properly...

      Regards,

      Ratna

      Comment


      • #4
        To test a charge controller, will be harder in your case, because you have a small solar panel.

        You will need a volt meter, possibly several sunny hours to do this.

        in the following order, connect things
        Battery to Charge Controller. It should indicate that it is on now.
        measure the battery voltage and write it down.
        Place the PV panel in the sun, measure it's voltage - should be about 19V
        Connect the PV panel to the controllers PV input.
        Measure the battery voltage now, and every 10 minutes, you should see it rising as the PV charges it.

        You cannot apply any loads, or run anything while this test is running.

        If the PV does not have 19V when you first measure it, something is wrong with it

        If the battery does not slowly rise from being charged, either the battery is bad, or the controller is bad.
        Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
        || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
        || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

        solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
        gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

        Comment


        • #5
          Charge Controller Query

          I did the test Mr.Mike,

          But the charge controller should produce the charging voltage 14.1V as per their catalogue isnt it?

          But If I measure the terminal out of charge controller to battery the maximum voltage show up is 13.2V, What does it mean, whether am having problem with charge controller or battery or PV.

          Note: My PV producing 21V Voc and Vm - 16V, Please advice.

          We are using Steca CC, Rocket Battery and Sharp Panel

          Regards,

          Ratna

          Comment


          • #6
            When the battery is low, the charge controller will pour power into it, till it comes up to the full voltage. But you have a 100ah battery, and while it's charging, you cannot read the "full" voltage, the weak battery holds the voltage low, till it is charged, then the voltage rises.
            Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
            || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
            || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

            solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
            gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by lightsplease
              How fast will the full voltage feature pop up with the spam link deleted ]?
              Very fast, as fast as I can delete 1 spammer and all his posts.
              Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
              || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
              || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

              solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
              gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

              Comment

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