A Question on Solar Panels

Hi Richard

If the battery is 'full' according to the setting selected on the Prostar, it will not be showing any current going to the battery if no appliances are running . If the fridge comes on and draws say 4.5, similar should be seen coming in.

Motherhen

Richard,
From what I understand of what you're saying, the battery is at 'float' voltage, the battery system is fully charged and is receiving zero charge *at the time you’re looking* at the gauge.

The voltage you’re seeing is only the charging voltage, not the actual (rested) battery voltage.

The solar regulator has *regulated* the Amps from the available Amps produced by your solar system down to zero, at *the time you were looking* at the regulator, because the battery was in a condition where it is requiring no further charge at all.

You say "the status indicator for the battery says it is charging" so I have to wonder why the solar regulator says it is not sending a charge to the battery, maybe the battery "status indicator" means it is fully charged?
Is it a gauge that actually shows numbers ?

These 2 photos I’ve placed here show similar numbers, not exactly the same, but give a clear understanding as to what is happening with my system, using as close to the 13.7v as your system is showing.

Image Could Not Be Found
Above it is showing 1 Amp is going to the 14.2v battery.

Image Could Not Be Found
In this photo there is 1/2 Amp charging the 13.8v battery system.

Maîneÿ . . .

Is this what you have in your manual --

CHARGING (LED 1 – green)
ON: battery charging during sunlight (always on during sunlight)
OFF: normal during night (off during sunlight indicates solar reverse polarity or
overcurrent)
BATTERY STATUS (LEDs 2 – 4)
GREEN: ON indicates battery is near full charge
BLINKING indicates PWM charging (regulation)
YELLOW:ON indicates battery at middle capacity
RED: BLINKING indicates a low charge state and a low voltage load disconnect

The combination of 2 green LED would indicate battery full and Solar Panel connected and functioning in either FLOAT or EQUALISATION modes ..

I have a 17 page Prostar Manual if needed .. ( Was going to sell them at one stage but couldn't get authority from Morningstar USA .)

Cheers

Steve

Do you have an owners manual - it can be downlaoded from Morningstar -
http://www.morningstarcorp.com/en/support/item.cfm?ItemId=18

regards

mh

Hi Richard. Since you are connected to mains power, the 240V charger in the van will keep the battery fully charged. The solar will not put any current in.

If you disconnect from mains power, with a fully charged battery the solar will then put some power in. Why? -
All batteries have some internal loss, plus there are devices that use some power even when turned off - eg your radio and a battery protector if fitted. My solar puts in about 4 amp hours a day when the van is parked at home.

regards..................Keith

Hi,
I finally got around to doing the test recommended by you guys,

I turned off electricity
I turned on the fridge

And as you all said I started to see values in the solar current display.

I have spent more time on the forum than it took to do this test - I am a bit embarrassed.

I would like to thank all those who responded to my stupid question - it was very much appreciated and I have learnt a few things on the way.

All the best,
Richard