Solar Charge Controller

[Harvey Bongo]

Some advice please. Our 2001 Bongo has a solar panel and controller as per these pics. This is the only system that is keeping the leisure battery topped up, apart from the split charge systemwhen on the road. The controller was reading 14.2v before leaving for France last week. Now it's blank. Does this mean the LB has been drained completely or is there a button that needs pressing somewhere I haven't yet discovered. The lift-out 12v fridge is the only thing in constant use. Many thanks in advance from a newbie! Peter

[g8dhe]

Normally you can cycle around the voltages and settings, 14.2v sounds either like the voltage when the engine is running and the SCR is charging the batteries or possibly from the display is a rather low Solar Panel voltage. Do you not have the the user manual for the display ?

Yup here is a manual for it https://www.ysolartech.com/uploads/file ... 413999.pdf

[Harvey Bongo]

Many thanks, and for the manual too. I'll have a proper test of the system when the car is back from France. We lent it to my wife's sister and brother in law who are test driving it on their holiday!
I'm pretty certain the engine was off when that reading was taken, in our back garden so probably in the shade. Would that reading be what you could expect in those circumstances? What might you get in full sun and would you expect the panel to keep the LB properly charged. Thanks for your help.

[g8dhe]

The solar panel voltage will vary from 0v at night up to 20-24v even possibly higher under full sunlight depending on the actual panel. The controller will then convert that down to what ever charging voltage is required at the time somewhere between 13.6 and 14.4v normally depending on the state of charge in the battery.

[Alkers]

Those kind of coolboxes use a lot of electricicty and aren't at all suitable for off grid use. They will be fine when driving or plugged in at a campsite but not just relying on that solar panel to keep the battery topped up

[Harvey Bongo]

Latest update on our solar charging system. I've put my multimeter across various terminals with the following results.
In full overhead sun with wires disconnected at the PWM controller, meter set to 200v - output 25volts with a reading of 2.61 amps. I'm guessing this means the panel is ok.

The PV-XC502 panel terminal block contains two diodes mounted inline, connected to each of the outer terminals and also to a central terminal. Readings as follows - between plus and centre terminals +12.35v; between minus and centre terminals -12.73v

Bought a new EcoFlo mono crystal 100watt panel but it only gives 19volts!

Also discovered the battery itself is not performing as it should. Had it charging for 24 hours with Ctek smart charger up to 13.6 volts. Left it for an hour disconnected - still reading 13.5 so connected the coolbox fridge (48 watts) and left for a while. No longer running 5 hours later. Battery output plummeted to 7 volts!!

[g8dhe]

Different panel types and sizes will give a wide range of voltages, this is why you have a controller which will accept a wide range of input voltages and convert the power available to that required for the battery type your using.

[Mark-H]

Sorry to jump on your post but do you know the make/model and output of your solar panel? My van is currently at the storage location so I can't measure teh roof and it looks like yours is the widest that will fit so a good start point.