Charger controller inacuracy?

Raquel14
Raquel14 Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 1 ✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
My charger controller (PWM 30a Eco Worthy) after installed in the system displays 9.9 sometimes 10 and the battery sign on shows it blinkling and empty...but when I check it with the multimeter it says 13 and the battery terminals 13 too. 
What to do?
This is so confuse.
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Comments

  • 706jim
    706jim Solar Expert Posts: 521 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Might be the sign of a "bargain priced" charge controller. Was it inexpensive? Could be defective.
    I would trust your multi meter reading over what this unit is displaying.
    Island cottage solar system with appriximately 2500 watts of panels, 1kw facing southeast 1.3kw facing southwest 170watt ancient Arco's facing due south. All panels in parallel for a 24 volt system. Trace DR1524 MSW inverter which has performed flawlessly since 1994. Outback Flexmax 80 MPPT charge controller four 467A-h AGM batteries. Insignia 11.5 cubic foot electric fridge 1/4hp GSW piston pump. My 31st year.
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Get another controller before it overcharges your battery and ruins it too.

    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,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,631 admin
    edited November 2 #4
    The only "fix" I can see you trying... unplug the solar array (or do this at night), disconnect the battery to controller (to do power off / reset), wait 5 minutes, then recconnect the battery to controller first, wait for controller to reboot, then connect the solar array second.
    The controllers generally need good battery power first to properly boot and configure (I.e., 12, 24, etc. auto voltage select), then connect the solar array.
    If the solar array is connected first, the controller will (possibly) not "boot" correctly and can damage/ruin the controller (over voltage the controller from solar panel voltage / without "battery to buffer" voltage/controller operation).
    Other things to check, make sure the battery connections are clean and tight... And you can, for example, check the Vbatt voltage at the controller terminals directly.
    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • willjack7
    willjack7 Registered Users, Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 6 ✭
    #5
    Might be the sign of a "bargain priced" charge controller. Was it inexpensive? Could be defective.
    I would trust your multi meter reading over what this unit is displaying.
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