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Recently bought a 12v 110 watt panel (voc 21.6, isc 7.08). Tested panel with a 12a and a 10a controller (each separately) --connected only to the panel. The output readings (to battery) both show 19+ volts. I have a 12v 35 watt panel where both controllers work fine. I also tested this panel with a 440 watt wind turbine controller- same result ...+19 volt output. Is there something wrong with this panel. Also, the tested readings on panel is within specifications.
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Panels have several specs, and it takes special gear to arrive at some readings. What you CAN measure is :
VOC
ISCPowerfab 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 -
max power...110 watts
voc...21.6v
isc...7.08a
vmp...17.2v
max system voltage...1000vdc
imp 6.40aComment
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Anybody know why this 19 to 20 volt output can't be controlled?Comment
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When you say "connected only to the panel" did you have a battery connected?Comment
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First connected the controller to the battery. Checked the voltage output from the controller to the battery. That's when I found the output to be 19v+ (good sun). I then disconnected from the battery and checked the output from the controller again...still 19v +. Repeated the above with a 35 watt panel. With this 35 watt panel worked as it should.Comment
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Is it possible that neither a 10a nor a 12a controller can handle this panel?Comment
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Well something is wrong. For one it is almost impossible to measure 19 volts across a 12 volt battery. Only way it can happen if the battery is open circuited which it sounds like it is because you measure 19 volts with the battery connected and disconnected.
Try this, connect the solar panel directly to the battery and see what you get. If you see 19 volts chunk then chuck that battery in the garbage heap.MSEE, PEComment
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I probably didn't clearly explain clearly. The 19v + is the reading at the battery output terminals on the controller...whether connected (controller) to the battery or not connected to the battery.
When I do the above with the 35watt panel the output voltage (controller terminals) read 13.9v (connected to the battery or not).
I really appreciate your assistance.Comment
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To be more clear. Only when this panel -110watt- is connected to the controller the controller will NOT reduce the voltage to 13.9v.Comment
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Take note of the advice already given by Mike 90250 and Sunking,Only when this panel -110watt- is connected to the controller the controller will NOT reduce the voltage to 13.9v.
The battery is open circuit, that has already been stated, or your method of monitoring the voltage is flawed.
If you really want to see what occurs when you insist on a 19V charge with a 12V battery connect a DC welder (MIG for example) then wind the voltage up so you get 19V ,check the amperage drawn. DO NOT DO THIS! Your solar panel can NOT charge a 12V battery at 19V.Comment
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Thanks guys. Sunking you were spot on. Seems I tested everything but the battery. This morning when I connected the panel and controller to my good batteries I use for my wind turbine everything worked perfectly. Gonna chunk that bad battery. I know very little about solar panel and made the mistake of testing it with a bad battery. Didn't want to connect panel to my good batteries until I was sure it would work okay.
Again....ThanksComment
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