Bob Blues Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I just installed a 135W Solar with a 15A SunSaver Mppt controlled on the boat and I’m a little disappointed with what I’m getting out. Peek current so far of the box is 1.6A on a Bright Sunny Day I was expecting it to be up around 5-6 A at least Tuesday 17:30 Half light Voltage across the open array 17.27 v Across solar term array Connected 13.54 V Current 0.16 A 13:36 Wednesday Bright but not sunny open array 19:80 V Across solar term array Connected 15:89 V Current 1.2 A 11:05 thur Sunlight open array 20.3V Across solar term array Connected 16.8V Current 1.4A 1PM Thursday Very bright 1.6A Does this look like a Box failure ? Thanks Bob B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex- Member Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I just installed a 135W Solar with a 15A SunSaver Mppt controlled on the boat and I'm a little disappointed with what I'm getting out. Peek current so far of the box is 1.6A on a Bright Sunny Day I was expecting it to be up around 5-6 A at least Tuesday 17:30 Half light Voltage across the open array 17.27 v Across solar term array Connected 13.54 V Current 0.16 A 13:36 Wednesday Bright but not sunny open array 19:80 V Across solar term array Connected 15:89 V Current 1.2 A 11:05 thur Sunlight open array 20.3V Across solar term array Connected 16.8V Current 1.4A 1PM Thursday Very bright 1.6A Does this look like a Box failure ? Thanks Bob B Was it a new panel? If so I would think something is wrong somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Certainly sounds to me like either the panel or the box are faulty. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Just looks like the normal solar rubbish to me. My 80W panel produces next to sod all in the brightest sunlight, neither does any other solar panel I have tested. I thought my meter had gone a bollock at first. Those Maplin beauties were particularly bad and just not worth having. My panel does the job for me though...just about overcomes natural losses whilst we are not there for weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deletedaccount Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Mine happily runs my fridge during the summer. 125w. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Blues Posted September 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 The pannel and MPPT were brand new Installed on Saturday Thanks I'll get back to midsummer energy BobB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex- Member Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Just looks like the normal solar rubbish to me. My 80W panel produces next to sod all in the brightest sunlight, neither does any other solar panel I have tested. I thought my meter had gone a bollock at first. Those Maplin beauties were particularly bad and just not worth having. My panel does the job for me though...just about overcomes natural losses whilst we are not there for weeks. Why not take it back, if it's not performing to the manufacturers stated output you have a right to replacement or refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I compared it to other peoples installations and outputs from quite large arrays, and they weren't doing anything special either. 1.5amps...pah...useless. if I leave 3 lights on I need more than that. So if you scale it up to say a 20 amp requiremnet then I need at least 15 panels like mine. They wouldn't fit on the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex- Member Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 I compared it to other peoples installations and outputs from quite large arrays, and they weren't doing anything special either. 1.5amps...pah...useless. if I leave 3 lights on I need more than that. So if you scale it up to say a 20 amp requiremnet then I need at least 15 panels like mine. They wouldn't fit on the boat. If you buy a panel rated at say 85 watts that's the energy you should get in bright sunshine with the panel directed at the sun. If you don't get that or very close to it then it's faulty and should be returned. There's clearly something wrong with it or the controller or the way it's connected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveC Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Are the batteries fully charged? Is your ammeter accurate? Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evo Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 If you buy a panel rated at say 85 watts that's the energy you should get in bright sunshine with the panel directed at the sun. Fair enough...whats bright sunshine though..?? I dont think we get it here quite the same as they do where they make and rate the panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex- Member Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) Fair enough...whats bright sunshine though..?? I dont think we get it here quite the same as they do where they make and rate the panels. Sun in sky mid day no cloud in front of it, panel facing it square on in summer months. PV solar panels get their energy from light, so will work in the winter but at much lower levels. Edited September 1, 2011 by Julynian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) Are you confident in the ammeter ? - does it read at least +/- about 5% on the 10 amp scale ? ( test with e.g a car headlight in series with it) Then put the ammeter directly across the battery with the ammeter in series - that should prove the panel.... Nick I can't believe I wrote that... As exclaimed.... the ammeter should be put in series with the panel and battery so it reads the current being produced, once you are happy with the ammeter reading in the right ballpark... Edited September 1, 2011 by Nickhlx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibbo Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Then put the ammeter directly across the battery... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Blues Posted September 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Are the batteries fully charged? Is your ammeter accurate? Dave batteries are 12.3 - 12.7 V and the meter is Uni-T UT58C I use it to repair Keyboards. It's never let me down so I guess that is ok. BobB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smileypete Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) batteries are 12.3 - 12.7 V and the meter is Uni-T UT58C I use it to repair Keyboards. It's never let me down so I guess that is ok. Maybe measure the panel's short circuit current and temperature in full direct sun, and compare it to the spec. Double check the meter if it's well out. cheers, Pete. Edited September 1, 2011 by smileypete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanS Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I have a question which might be related. On a good day, if I put a meter across my batteries, they read about 13.5V.....clearly due to the affect of the solar panels. My inverter only "beeps" if it sees a voltage less than 11V. This normally means that although during the day things look great, when the sun goes down, the "solar effect" on voltage, is no longer there, and the battery voltage sinks quite quickly... So it seems that although you could be drawing a demand, via an inverter fine during daylight hours, the actual battery state may in fact be much less (although hiding behind the superimposed solar controller effect), and the battery may not have charged much during the day at all.... Remove the sun, and the real battery condition is suddenly apparent.....which could be good or bad, depending on your demand during the day. does this make sense, or am I smoking something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dor Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Thanks I'll get back to midsummer energy I found Midsummer energy very helpful. For comparison, I bought their 100W panel and standard controller. Last weekend on a bright day I was getting over 4 amps going into the batteries. In June the highest I saw was over 5.5 amps. The panel is mounted flat on the roof. Clearly something wrong with your panel and/or controller. Giver them a call and I'm sure they will sort you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 ... 100W panel and standard controller. Last weekend on a bright day I was getting over 4 amps going into the batteries. In June the highest I saw was over 5.5 amps. The panel is mounted flat on the roof. Those are far more realistic figures for a decent panel and a working controller. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blodger Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I have a question which might be related. On a good day, if I put a meter across my batteries, they read about 13.5V.....clearly due to the affect of the solar panels. My inverter only "beeps" if it sees a voltage less than 11V. This normally means that although during the day things look great, when the sun goes down, the "solar effect" on voltage, is no longer there, and the battery voltage sinks quite quickly... So it seems that although you could be drawing a demand, via an inverter fine during daylight hours, the actual battery state may in fact be much less (although hiding behind the superimposed solar controller effect), and the battery may not have charged much during the day at all.... Remove the sun, and the real battery condition is suddenly apparent.....which could be good or bad, depending on your demand during the day. does this make sense, or am I smoking something? So your solar is no longer running your fridge on its one battery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 So your solar is no longer running your fridge on its one battery? I think Dean needs to draw us a diagram. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Funked Up Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 (edited) Not meaning to hijack the thread, but I have a question which might be related. On a good day, if I put a meter across my batteries, they read about 13.5V.....clearly due to the affect of the solar panels. My inverter only "beeps" if it sees a voltage less than 11V. This normally means that although during the day things look great, when the sun goes down, the "solar effect" on voltage, is no longer there, and the battery voltage sinks quite quickly... So it seems that although you could be drawing a demand, via an inverter fine during daylight hours, the actual battery state may in fact be much less (although hiding behind the superimposed solar controller effect), and the battery may not have charged much during the day at all.... Remove the sun, and the real battery condition is suddenly apparent.....which could be good or bad, depending on your demand during the day. does this make sense, or am I smoking something? Yes its the same as when you switch off your engine (14.4v then quickly down to the actual batteries state/condition) OR This can be a sign of tired batteries also.They hit 80% quickly n easily so controller backs off and goes to float, wasting the rest of the hours of sun. That said you need long, long periods of unobstructed sun to get a big bank to 80%. It all depends on how much sun your on about. In bright, direct sunshine my 170w array regularily gives out 12A and more. (all instantaneous and I only check now n then) Edited September 1, 2011 by Pretty Funked Up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FadeToScarlet Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 The pannel and MPPT were brand new Installed on Saturday Thanks I'll get back to midsummer energy BobB Looking on the bright side, Andy at Midsummer is one of the most honest and ethical traders I know, I'm sure he'll sort it out. He moors next to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanS Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 So your solar is no longer running your fridge on its one battery? Solar on battery which supplies all 12V systems. I haven't had to recharge that battery for months. Alternator used to keep 2 leisure batteries topped up, which are used for tvs, laptops, etc. Gennie recharges battery for freezer. Fridge is on gas. On sunny days I might link the solar feed accross to other batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blodger Posted September 1, 2011 Report Share Posted September 1, 2011 Solar on battery which supplies all 12V systems. I haven't had to recharge that battery for months. Alternator used to keep 2 leisure batteries topped up, which are used for tvs, laptops, etc. Gennie recharges battery for freezer. Fridge is on gas. On sunny days I might link the solar feed accross to other batteries. Just checking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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