Do I have a solar panel problem??
Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 14:47
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cityslicker
Hi All,
I'm new to this
solar power stuff and I'm also a bit confused so I'll try to explain :-)
I've just bought a 120W bi-fold solar panel which comes with a Projecta 10A regulator. The regulator has a voltage readout and 3 L.E.D's
Red - voltage available from panels
Yellow - battery being charged
Green - battery is charged
Now I though I'd see how the panels work before I take them away over
easter. I hooked them up to the auxillary battery which was fully charged and had no load on it. The display very quickly showed 14.4 volts which is the voltage where I believe it should go into float charge.
I now expected the green LED to stay on but it kept quickly cycling between Green and Yellow while the voltage went up and down between 14.4 and 13.4 (the cut out and cut in points).
While writing this I've been informed by someone from the company that this is how the regulator should work. Still, I'm a cynical sort of person and I'd love to hear that someone else has this setup and it behaves the same way.
Thanks for reading!
Reply By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:29
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:29
Put a load on the battery, a 12 voilt light or your fridge.
Then see what the regulator does.
It sounds to me like it's probably doing what it's supposed to be doing.
Geoff
| Geoff,
Landcruiser HDJ78,
Grey hair is hereditary, you get it from children. Baldness is caused by watching the Wallabies.
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Follow Up By: cityslicker - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:50
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:50
I left a 12 volt light on for about an hour then tested the solar panel again. The charge LED stayed on and the voltage slowly improved so that side of things looks good.
Thanks Geoff
FollowupID:
626667
Reply By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:36
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:36
It sounds normal, we also have a 100w bifold set of panels (ABR). When our Aux battery is full, the inline analogue( needle) voltmeter, just pulsates.
AnswerID:
358602
Reply By: Mandrake - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:10
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:10
I have the same regulator on my Camper and it does that - perfectly normal ..
Rgds
Mandrake
AnswerID:
358607
Reply By: GregF - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:13
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:13
Howdy City Sliker
I have 120watt Bifolds from
Kulkyne Kampers, and whilst they dont have a readout built in, My panels appear to do the same when I attach a Multi tester to them
Hope this helps
Regards
Greg.
AnswerID:
358608
Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Apr 08, 2009 at 21:21
Wednesday, Apr 08, 2009 at 21:21
Well take the bloody things out of the shed!!!!!
They work heaps better in the sun!
LOL
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626875
Reply By: cityslicker - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:29
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:29
Thanks for all the great
feedback, it sounds like I can relax and enjoy an
easter camp.
Cheers
David
AnswerID:
358611
Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:31
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:31
Just as it should be. The panel is switched to the battery, voltage rises to the cut off point (14.4 V), panel is disconnected by the controller, battery voltage drops back to about 13.4v, panel is switched in again.......
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
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AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: cityslicker - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:54
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 16:54
I think thats where I was confused, I expected the voltage to sit at 14.4v until some load was applied, not the constant cycling.
Thanks for clarifying.
FollowupID:
626668
Follow Up By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 18:04
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 18:04
The natural voltage of a battery is around 12.6, and this is pushed up by the charging current. When it relaxes after charging it slowly drops down towards this equilibrium state. There is also a bit of leakage dragging it down (very slowly in a good battery).
You might be interested to visit our blog
Electricity for Camping. It ranges outside your immediate interests, but may offer a some useful insights.
Cheers
John | J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 17:07
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 17:07
For what it is woerth......I have a 10W BP panel on my shed roof that keeps various batteries in the shed topped up - via a small German made Kemo regulator (from Jaycar) -
orange LED says charging - green LED says 'accumulator' fully charged - constant display both - they never cycle - always on or off.
AnswerID:
358618
Reply By: Maîneÿ [wa] - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 20:12
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 20:12
Hi,
just for your own interest and to allow you know what is 'normal' when on your
Easter break, connect the fridge with the battery and solar system and leave them as if you were out in the bush for a few days.
Open the fridge a few times and have it about ½ full of bottles of water or maybe even 'food'
Keep the fridge connected continually for a few days AND nights too !!
You will then know how the Solar system will work when your running the fridge.
Check the battery Voltage at end of first day @ 5PM, again next day @ 8AM and then again @ 11AM, for some idea of your Solar system/battery performance.
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
358665
Follow Up By: cityslicker - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 21:23
Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 21:23
Thanks Mainey
Thats basically what I am hoping to do in preparation for a much longer trip from
Adelaide to
Darwin. I have an 80 ltr waeco so I think it is touch and go whether the panels will keep up but even if they extend a 1 day
camp without driving to a 3 day
camp, I'll be happy.
The advice on this site is very impressive!!
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