Reduced solar charge.

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Plucka
Plucka Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭
edited February 2021 in Solar Beginners Corner #1
360 amphr 12 volt lithium batteries -had 1100 watts of solar panels divided over three solar controllers-have just changed to one 30 amp controller with 300 watt panel and four 200 watt panels with one 60amp Renogy solar controller. The problem is the batteries stop charging at only 13.5 volts which is too low for my needs. What is the problem ?
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  • mcgivor
    mcgivor Solar Expert Posts: 3,854 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
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    What are te settings of the controllers used?  The value of 13.5V is typical of a float voltage used with lead acid, perhaps there are custom settings which are better suited to the batteries used, however I'm reading between the lines.
    1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS 
    Second system 1890W  3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.  
    5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
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    Plucka said:
    360 amphr 12 volt lithium batteries -had 1100 watts of solar panels divided over three solar controllers-have just changed to one 30 amp controller with 300 watt panel and four 200 watt panels with one 60amp Renogy solar controller. The problem is the batteries stop charging at only 13.5 volts which is too low for my needs. What is the problem ?
    And,  in addition to what mcgivor menitoned:
    Many 300 W PVs have 60-cells,   and many 200 watt PVs have 36 cells.  If this is the case with your PVs,  the single Charge Controller may not be able to make good use of all of the available PV power.

    What are the specs of each set of PVs on your system?

    Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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  • Plucka
    Plucka Registered Users Posts: 130 ✭✭
    #4
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    In my lack of know how I must have hit the right button -everything seems to be working now. Thanks for the replies.
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