solar output

[Mikep]

When I was changing out my house batteries last week, I decided to put a voltage meter on the solar connections that hook to the batteries and only showed one tenth of a volt charge in full sun mid day. What output should these solar panels be providing.

My meter inside the cabin shows a green light but beyond that, I cannot get any other information to come up. The solar unit inside the starboard cockpit compartment shows a flashing green. Pulled out the manual and it showed how the left and right buttons were supposed to allow me to scroll thru multiple screens, but I get nothing.

 

[scross]

As batteries are charged they go through 3 different states - bulk, absorption and float.
1. Bulk - In the first stage of the process current is sent from the solar panel through the solar controller to the batteries at the maximum safe rate they will accept until voltage is brought up to nearly 80-90 percent full charge level. The light on the controller will blink green slowly.
2. Absorption - In the second stage voltage peaks and stabilizes and current begins to taper off as internal resistance rises. The LED lights on the controller at this stage blink green but there is now only a short delay between blinks.
3. Float - At this point the charge on the batteries is maintained at an optimal level also known as trickle charged. At this point the green light is on without flashing.

You were getting a flashing green which should mean you were in bulk or absorption.

If you really want to measure your panels output, you would measure the voltage at the MC4 connectors off the panel itself. The measurement of the leads coming off the controller will be much different depending on where you are in the charging cycle! My Victron Energy Smart Solar Controller sends both panel and controller output info via Bluetooth to my phone. My 310 watt panel typically generates 25-35 volts at 7-10 amps in bright sun with no panel shading.

Hope this info is helpful.

 

[Kevin Lamont]

When I was changing out my house batteries last week, I decided to put a voltage meter on the solar connections that hook to the batteries and only showed one tenth of a volt charge in full sun mid day. What output should these solar panels be providing.

My meter inside the cabin shows a green light but beyond that, I cannot get any other information to come up. The solar unit inside the starboard cockpit compartment shows a flashing green. Pulled out the manual and it showed how the left and right buttons were supposed to allow me to scroll thru multiple screens, but I get nothing.

Hello,

The above poster is correct, to get a true reading of solar output you would want to measure voltage at the solar wires going into the controller. Hope this helps!!

Thanks,