Solar controller not charging

Re: Solar controller not charging

castilloj wrote: »

Yes there is a jumper cable between 2 and 4

Crud. That ruins the logic sequence. It probably means that is the point that should be 'split' for switching to 12 Volt configuration. One of those terminals then gets paralleled to #0 and the other to #6. Probably.

I don't suppose you have a digital camera with close focusing that could take a nice sharp picture of what you're dealing with in that junction box? That would help immensely.

Otherwise it does sound like they are configured for 24 Volts, and when applied to 12 the Voltage will be pulled way down. Since there is no segment paralleling available in that configuration you lose 1/2 the current potential.

There is always the possibility that these particular panels were not designed to be used as either 12 or 24.

Re: Solar controller not charging

Look at the diagrams Photowhit has so graciously provided. NONE of your junction boxes are wired like either example. For one thing, you seem to be taking the negative from #5, leaving out one whole segment of panel. Why?

Re: Solar controller not charging

It looks to me the OP has them configured for 24 Volt, except that his negative panel connections are on #5 terminal rather than #6. This would drop 1/4 of the power right there.

The diagrams from 'f5f9' show what I'd expect; when reconfigured for 12 Volt there are two jumpers paralleling the panel 'halves' for positive and negative. In the 24 Volt configuration there is only one jumper connecting the halves in series. Positive is #0 and negative #6 for this, and for 12 Volt #0 is paralleled with #4 for positive and #2 is paralleled with #6 for negative (the jumper between #2 and #4 is removed of course).

The only thing I'm wondering about is what #3 terminal is for?

There could still be a problem with a bypass diode, but until you get the 'right' wiring figured out you can't really tell. Although you could measure for reverse conductivity across the diodes (with the panels in the dark so they aren't putting out power - good way to blow an Ohm meter).

Re: Solar controller not charging

castilloj wrote: »

The reason I wired 0-5 instead of 6 was because the voltage was 36.2 v. Obcourse that was before I receive the new wiring info.
But now after I wired the way Photowhit showed I get - 5.7 on the open contacts.

Is that 5.7 Volts between #0 and #6? If so, it's time to start checking the individual segments like I said before. That sort of indicates that one segment is shorted and when placed in parallel with the other half it 'kills' half the Voltage.

Remove all the jumper wires. Disconnect the panel output from everything (including each other) and check one 12 Volt half's Voc at a time. It should read 20+ Volts.
Yes I know it's tedious, but this is the way of diagnostics. Rarely can you jump in and find the problem in a single easy shot unless some component has had the courtesy to actually blow up upon failure.