Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, and Solar System Design Worksheets for Marine Solar Panel Kits, Marine Solar Kit Installation And Assembly InstructionsManuals

Troubleshooting

Solar System Troubleshooting

Barbara,
I'm sorry to hear you are having issues with your solar system.
We will do everything we can to help you get back up and running.
Below are some troubleshooting ideas to get started.
The issues may be from one of three sources; the controller, the connection from the controller to the batteries or the power coming in from the solar panels.
1. The controller
The controller can be rebooted fairly easily.
Disconnect the controller from both the batteries and the solar.
This can be done by pulling one of each set of wires to the controller or pulling the fuse at the batteries and turning off the switch to the solar if you have one.
Let the controller sit disconnected for about 5 minutes.
Reconnect the controller to the batteries then reconnect the controller to the solar array.
Give it about 5 minutes to recalibrate.
Monitor the results.
2. The connection from the controller to the batteries
The controller is powered by the batteries.
If there is a wiring or fuse issue between the controller and the batteries, the controller may appear to be powered (from the solar) but have no way to send the solar power to the batteries.
Check the fuse to be sure it is good.
Put a meter on the wires from the battery at the controller and confirm it is getting power from the batteries.
If not, check all wire connections.
3. The solar array
The controller may not be getting sufficient power from the solar array.
This may be caused by a bad connection in the wire or by a failed solar panel.
Set the meter on 200V.
Disconnect the wires from the solar array to the controller at the controller and measure the voltage (V).
If the voltage is minimal, disconnect each panel at the MC4 connectors and measure the voltage at each panel.
If the panels are producing power (20V +), there is likely a wiring issue between the panels and the controller.
Check the MC4 connectors for corrosion and the connections at the switch if you have one.
If the panels are not producing power, check the wires going into the panels to be sure they are tight.
Contact CMP to coordinate replacement of the panel.

Let me know the results of your testing and we will work with you to resolve the issue.
All the best,
Tom Sr. -- This issue turned out to be a blown fuse between the controller and the batteries, we find this to be the issue 90% of the time, bad wires, connections, or fuses.
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