Solar power regulator
Submitted: Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 19:00
ThreadID:
53980
Views:
11505
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
18
This Thread has been Archived
Member - George (WA)
I am worried about my solar panel set up. On the caravan we have 2/80w BP solar panels. They are connected to a BP Solar GCR 1000M regulator and 2/110 a/h gell batteries for 12 V power.
The Regulator has started to blink showing EO7 on the small screen. The graphic indicator, showing the charge state of the batteries has gone. The separate voltage meter is showing the batteries at 15-16 V. I have disconnected the batteries from the solar charging system because I am worried that the batteries are being over charged. Does anyone have any experience with this type of system.
I also have a BM-1 Battery monitor connected to the batteries.
Any help would be appreciated
Reply By: Mainey (wa) - Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 19:56
Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 19:56
George,
the "E07" message indicates low battery voltage.
As the SOC "graphics" no longer exists (has gone) I believe it's a malfunction with-in the LCD display, because you say you do have 15v - 16v at the battery, indicating Solar charge is definitely being delivered to the batteries, but no LCD display is showing.
First I would
check all the cabling from the Solar panels right to the battery with a 'multimeter' so see where the voltage varies.
If you find no obvious problems then it's a fault with-in the LCD display.
Is it still under warranty??
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
284183
Follow Up By: Member - George (WA) - Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 21:11
Monday, Jan 28, 2008 at 21:11
Thanks Mainey, The regulator is only 1 week old, I will get it checked out
Cheers
FollowupID:
548959
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:02
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:02
With a reading of 15 V or more on your batteries there are three possibilities:
1. Your meter is US and reading too high. Measure the charge voltage on your tug as a quick confidence
check.
2. The system has been incorrectly wired.
3. The regulator is faulty.
Get things checked out before you reconnect the system. Hope your batteries are not buggered, it does not take long to kill them by overcharging.
PeterD
FollowupID:
549011
Follow Up By: disco1942 - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:22
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 01:22
Further to my previous, I note further down that your controller was manufactured by Steca. All of their regulators that I have come across have 3 negative terminals on them. These regulators were originally designed for telephone systems with +ve earth systems so all the circuitry has the +ve sides of it connected together.
You can only connect one of the -ve terminals to the frame (earth) of your van. This is generally the one connected to the load. If your battery or solar panels have their -ve sides grounded then you loose all current monitoring in the regulator.
Check this for starters. Get this checked out by someone who knows these systems. If you are attempting to do your own wiring then re read the installation manual - several times.
PeterD
FollowupID:
549015
Follow Up By: Mainey (wa) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 08:02
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 08:02
Peter
In this model (Steca PR series) grounding is not required when used as a stand alone solar system with only the (-) battery terminal being grounded at the body, as is normal and usual.
2 cable connections on Left (+) & (-) Panel connection
2 cable connections in Centre (+) & (-) Battery connection
2 cable connections on Right (+) & (-) Accessories (fridge etc)
Separate Earth is not required when used with (-) grounded battery as all 'accessories' are [supposed to be] connected to (-) battery terminal.
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
549029
Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 21:15
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008 at 21:15
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. In the end the problem was a "reset" problem and easily fixed.
1..Disconnect the negative solar connection on the regulator
2..Disconnect the negative Battery connection on the regulator
Sreen goes blank
3..Reconnect the negative solar connection
4..Reconnect the negative battery connection
The solar regulator is now reset
Cheers
btw, the batteries are still OK
AnswerID:
284384