Troubleshooting Your solar System
Below are some comments to consider to determine if your system is performing properly.
1. The batteries need to be hungry and able to accept the power the solar panels are capable of producing.
If you are on shore power or if your batteries are nearly full, the controller will back off so as to not overcharge the batteries.
This will result in you seeing lower output from the panels.
2. The panels lose efficiency when hot. In full sun on an 86 degree day the panels are probably 150 degrees.
The panels decrease in performance 10% for every 25 degrees over 75 degrees F. So the panel performance could be reduced by 30% because of the heat.
3. You are correct, if the panels are reasonably cool and you have full sun you should see roughly 30V and 4-6 amps using a meter with a shunt to measure amps.
You need a meter with wires, not a meter with the clamp around the wire. I suggest you try another meter just to be sure the meter is working properly.
4. So, sun angle. temperature of the panel, state of charge of the batteries are all factors related to panel performance.
5. Because all the panels are measuring about the same I doubt there is a malfunction with the panels. However, you should expect at least 350 watts under good conditions.
6. Check the wiring from your controller to your batteries. This should be a number 6 wire or possibly a #8 if the run is short. If the power can't get to the batteries, the controller will back off the power received from the panels.
7. Check the panels independently with another meter to be certain you are only getting 2.1 amps in the middle of the day. Give us a call once you have the data and we will determine the next course of action.
All the best,
Tom sr
And in addition:
To troubleshoot a low producing array, I suggest the following:
1. Disconnect the array from the controller and put a meter on the wires to measure both the V and A.
2. If low in full sun, move to the connection at the T-branch and check the V and A there.
3. If low in full sun, Move to the solar panel pigtails and measure the V and A there.
4. If a panel is low in full sun without shading, the panel may need to be replaced.
5. If the measurements show full performance of the solar array, the problem is likely with the wiring from the controller to the battery bank.
6. Check the fuse between the battery bank and the controller. Check all wire connections for good connections.
7. If the meter indicates the panels are performing properly and the controller wires are secure, the issue could be that one controller is dominating the other controller. The low power controller could be sensing the battery V plus the solar V from the other array and prematurely going into float mode or just backing off power. If this is the case, I believe Victron has a communication cable that joins the controllers so they can communicate and balance appropriately.
Contact us:
Custom Marine Products
Tom Trimmer
248 705 8337
[email protected]
1. The batteries need to be hungry and able to accept the power the solar panels are capable of producing.
If you are on shore power or if your batteries are nearly full, the controller will back off so as to not overcharge the batteries.
This will result in you seeing lower output from the panels.
2. The panels lose efficiency when hot. In full sun on an 86 degree day the panels are probably 150 degrees.
The panels decrease in performance 10% for every 25 degrees over 75 degrees F. So the panel performance could be reduced by 30% because of the heat.
3. You are correct, if the panels are reasonably cool and you have full sun you should see roughly 30V and 4-6 amps using a meter with a shunt to measure amps.
You need a meter with wires, not a meter with the clamp around the wire. I suggest you try another meter just to be sure the meter is working properly.
4. So, sun angle. temperature of the panel, state of charge of the batteries are all factors related to panel performance.
5. Because all the panels are measuring about the same I doubt there is a malfunction with the panels. However, you should expect at least 350 watts under good conditions.
6. Check the wiring from your controller to your batteries. This should be a number 6 wire or possibly a #8 if the run is short. If the power can't get to the batteries, the controller will back off the power received from the panels.
7. Check the panels independently with another meter to be certain you are only getting 2.1 amps in the middle of the day. Give us a call once you have the data and we will determine the next course of action.
All the best,
Tom sr
And in addition:
To troubleshoot a low producing array, I suggest the following:
1. Disconnect the array from the controller and put a meter on the wires to measure both the V and A.
2. If low in full sun, move to the connection at the T-branch and check the V and A there.
3. If low in full sun, Move to the solar panel pigtails and measure the V and A there.
4. If a panel is low in full sun without shading, the panel may need to be replaced.
5. If the measurements show full performance of the solar array, the problem is likely with the wiring from the controller to the battery bank.
6. Check the fuse between the battery bank and the controller. Check all wire connections for good connections.
7. If the meter indicates the panels are performing properly and the controller wires are secure, the issue could be that one controller is dominating the other controller. The low power controller could be sensing the battery V plus the solar V from the other array and prematurely going into float mode or just backing off power. If this is the case, I believe Victron has a communication cable that joins the controllers so they can communicate and balance appropriately.
Contact us:
Custom Marine Products
Tom Trimmer
248 705 8337
[email protected]