why does it not work how i thought it would? (1 Viewer)

[badgerskins]

Hi
this is a new game for me, so i don't know if anyone else has had the same experiance, i bought a set of solar panels from maplin rated at 60watts they are four that plug together and then connect to a voltage controler and then in turn to the two sealed 135Ah batteries. All the cables come ready done so it's basicly plug and play so to speak. The difficulty lies in the fact that the batteries require a 14.4v charging rate but the voltage controler only suppies 12.2 volts so it seems that i'm never fully charging the batteries.
Does anyone know how i can sort this out?
Badger:Angry:

 

[Jim]

Move from Wales

Sorry just joking, I have no idea, but I'm sure you'll have your answer soon:thumb:

 

[slobadoberbob]

are they not just topping up the battery?

Are they not just for topping up the battery?

Bob

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[scotjimland]

Sounds to me that the cable size is too small for the length of run.. this will reduce the available charging voltage at the controller.. but need more info ..

Do you have 4 x 60watt panels ?

Size of cable (mm2 ) and length of run.( If you don't know the cable size, is it skinny like bell wire or fat like an EHU cable )

Are you checking in full sunlight ?

 

[hilldweller]

rated at 60watts...... only suppies 12.2 volts
Badger:Angry:

Wait for summer. At this time of year you'll be getting so little out of the panels it will take a week to get much higher and if there is any load on the batteries you'll get nowhere.

That's my guess.

 

[keith]

Wait for summer. At this time of year you'll be getting so little out of the panels it will take a week to get much higher and if there is any load on the batteries you'll get nowhere.

That's my guess.

Come to Spain - the suns been shining all day here. opp5 :hardhat:

Seriously give more info then you may get an serious answer.

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[Reallyretired]

Your low voltage is most likely due just to the lack of sunshine at this time of year.
I don't know if you're planning on mounting these on your motorhome because I think these are the cheaper amorphous panels rather than the crystalline ones and if so they are much bigger and heavier than the same output mono- or poly-chrystalline panels.

I was only getting my batteries up to about 13.6v with an 85w panel at this time of year. Now I have 360w of panels I am getting them up to 14.4v no trouble.

 

[carry on then]

Hi
The difficulty lies in the fact that the batteries require a 14.4v charging rate but the voltage controler only suppies 12.2 volts so it seems that i'm never fully charging the batteries.
Does anyone know how i can sort this out?
Badger:Angry:

How did you find the voltage controller only supplies 12.2 volts ? , from putting a tester on it or from reading the manual/instructions supplied with it ?

 

[wizzer59]

Hi and welcome Badger, I know is a bit late but what I would have done was join fun first, ask what solar stuff should I buy? and we would have emptied your wallet quicker than you could say; maplins stuff is rubbish

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