PWM charger help please

[Shaun929]

In my van there is a EP solar controller and on the display it has a flashing red ‘H’ which I have never noticed before and when I looked at my battery monitor it’s not charging the hab batteries to full.
I have done a google search and cannot find any reference to a flashing H on this controller. Anyone know what this means?
I have 2 100watt solar panels and 2 hab batteries.

 

[Googlebot]

High temperature?

 

[Googlebot]

It’s overheating.

Manual here.

https://www.epsolarpv.com/upload/file/1811/LS-R-SMS-ELN-V2.3.pdf

Relevant page here.

 

[Shaun929]

Cheers, I couldn’t find that info. So is this normal for it to overheat? It says in the manual it stops charging when it gets to 85 degrees! Do all solar chargers do this?

 

[Googlebot]

Most should yes, it depends on the ambient temperature inside the van. They all get warm when charging. Mine are a Votronic and have fans, the bigger Victron ones have huge heat sinks.

I would say, given the weather it is nothing to worry about.

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[Shaun929]

I think this solar controller has had it, its just flashing red all the time now and not charging the batteries up. I am thinking of buying a dual votronic 350 is it just a matter of swopping the wires over?

 

[Googlebot]

Yes, a really simple job.

 

[autorouter]

Yes, but connect them in the correct sequence, so the controller recognises the battery voltage: Leisure battery first, then solar panels. Connecting the solar panels first might cause problems.

 

[Googlebot]

Yes, but connect them in the correct sequence, so the controller recognises the battery voltage: Leisure battery first, then solar panels. Connecting the solar panels first might cause problems.

Yes, I should have mentioned that. Sorry.

 

[Shaun929]

Yes, but connect them in the correct sequence, so the controller recognises the battery voltage: Leisure battery first, then solar panels. Connecting the solar panels first might cause problems.

So would it be engine battery after leisure then solar?

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[autorouter]

I think provided the leisure battery is first, the order of the solar and engine battery doesn't matter.

 

[Lenny HB]

Those controllers are not very reliable, helping Funsters out at a meet eairler in the tear I came across two faulty ones.
I would replace it with a decent MPPT one like a Votronic or Victron.

 

[Shaun929]

Those controllers are not very reliable, helping Funsters out at a meet eairler in the tear I came across two faulty ones.
I would replace it with a decent MPPT one like a Votronic or Victron.

Thinking of ordering a Votronic 350, I only have 200w of solar but looking at adding another 100w in the future. Will this be ok to fit the 350 and just change the fuse down or should I fit the 250?

 

[Lenny HB]

Thinking of ordering a Votronic 350, I only have 200w of solar but looking at adding another 100w in the future. Will this be ok to fit the 350 and just change the fuse down or should I fit the 250?

Fit the 350 then an upgrade to the panels is easy.