One of my 2 outback charge controllers is reading 0 amps
Alan
Registered Users Posts: 17 ✭✭
Port 2 is reading 89v w/ 0A in
54v w/ 0A out & 0 KWH
Port 3 is reading 93.5v w/ 10A in
54v w/ 16.5A out & .9kwh
What is it telling me? Is Port 2 not producing?
Looks like I have power coming in but not out of my Port 2 charge controller.
Is that correct? Why?
Alan
Comments
- separate controllers,
- each connected to their own separate arrays,
- with both charging a single battery bank.
If so, a couple of possibilities occur to me:
1. Each controller may be reading bank voltage slightly differently (a few 10ths of a volt - more than that may mean a wire issue). Measuring & comparing voltage while charging at both the battery and each controller output terminals may help in troubleshooting.
The lower reading controller will output enough current to hold bank voltage in absorb or float at what it sees as the right voltage, but at what the high one thinks is "too high", so the high one outputs nothing while it waits for bank voltage to drop to the "right" voltage. Not sure about your controllers, but my MN Classics have a setting to adjust for these minor variations so they all see about the same bank voltage.
Small differeces don't really matter all that much though, as most of absorb and float uses diminished current, and one controller can often hold voltage alone.
2. If this is happening in bulk before either controller reaches absorb though, I'd look for possible issues with the non-producing array (eg shading, wiring issues, etc) or the controller (eg open output breaker, etc).
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
Minor shading will often show at least some current (if the controller wants it). More severe shading can make the controller think it's night and make it go to "sleep" to reduce self-consumption.
I'm not so sure about "them" not knowing about your system. Many fire departments and building authorities take a dim view of unpermitted installations. There may also be insurance implications. OTOH, maybe you're in an area like mine, where AHJ would just give me a funny look if I tried pulling a permit, and fire protection is nill.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
If you are at the site might I suggest: Turn off both p.v. array input to the charge controllers, turn off mode(input), then turn off power to both charge controllers , wait a few minutes , turn on power to controller having the problem only, wait a minute or so,turn on input mode, turn on array breaker for this controller only. Now see what happens, reasoning....rebooting sometimes will clear the problem, and with the working charge controller idled the suspect controller should go to bulk and start charging, it won't be affected by the working controller. Let forum know what happened with this test.
Please note....I'm a MidNite guy, with limited exposure to Outback gear, but based on the same team designed both, they are similar ....I'm not familiar with Outback Menu system. I'm not sure how Outback turns off input. It is important that the controller is powered up first before applying solar input.
With 16.5 amps out into a 1200+ amp hour battery bank, you are at float feeding less than 2%. I suspect Dave is right.
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
Sometimes a complete system shutdown and restart will clear out accumulated errors. Complicated electronics are like computers in a way, they will build up unneeded data which they will stumble on, system shutdown and restart is kinda like a new day....