Schneider MPPT 60-150 has output current but input shows as 0A

jacksondjacksond Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭
in PV Installers Forum - NEC, Wiring, Installation #1
i have just installed two Schneiders MPPT 60-150 charge controllers, charging a 430AH 48V battery. Thr battery appears to be charging ok but the readings on the charge controller display are not consistent with meter readings taken with a clamp on meter. The input voltage  (112v) is recorded correctly by the charge controller, but the current and power are shown as zero, whereas clamp on meter shows ~7A at 112v. The output readings are also inconsistent. The charge controller readings for current and power as half that recorded at the output by the clamp on mete.  I am seeing the same thing with both charge controllers. Any ideas what might be causing this anomaly?

Comments

  • littleharbor2littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 1,365 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Part of that output could be going to running loads while the batteries are getting only a portion of the total output. When your charge cycle is in absorb or float mode the batteries are only using a portion of the full solar output, running loads are using power right from your solar panels.

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric, 700 ah @24 volt AGM battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

  • BB.BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 29,318 admin
    #3
    If you connect the panel negative lead directly to the charger's negative lead, you bypass the internal current shunt.

    Most other controllers have the shunt in the positive circuitry and don't care which negative controller connections are used.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
  • PhotowhitPhotowhit Solar Expert Posts: 4,955 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    jacksond said:
    ...two Schneiders MPPT 60-150 charge controllers, charging a 430AH 48V battery...
    I thought I might point out that you may be over paneled and want to regulate how much current passes to the battery bank. A 430ah bank charging at 13% of capacity would require about 56 amps. It's good to be over paneled for day time loads, just thought I'd pass it along.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Prosine 1800 and Exeltech 1100, 660 ah 24v ForkLift battery. Off grid for @16 of last 17 years. Assorted other systems, and to many panels in the closet to not do more...lol
  • Dave AngeliniDave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 4,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #5
    I am guessing that you do not have the XW or new SW inverter/chargers?  They supply the data of the load and even though you can get alot from the mppt's, the inverters really are needed to give you all the charts, grapghs, and display data and ease of using this system.
    You do have the SCP at minimum right? You would need to power it from the AUX output or an external 12V source. This would then make a network and all the settings would be global.
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Mountains near Mariposa/Yosemite CA
     http://members.sti.net/offgridsolar/
    E-mail [email protected]

  • jacksondjacksond Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭
    #6
    Thanks for all the suggestions. Turns out I had the PV negative lead connected to the battery negative bar in the PDP rather than going directly to the charge controller input. Corrected that and now everything is as expected.
  • new2PVnew2PV Solar Expert Posts: 305 ✭✭
    #7
    You also need to remove the 1 amp fuse in the 2nd controller or the ground fault wont work correctly.
    XW6848 inverter with 2 X mppt 60 150 CC , with Canadian solar 260Watt panels 2 x 3.5 kw array
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