Battery problems

[the evil twin]

Hiya Ross,

Yes ... the clips go on the Battery and then the Regulator will supply power to the "LOAD" terminals from the Solar Panel if the Output is high enough or switch to the Battery if the Solar panel drops down and use the Battery until it hits 11 ish volts then shut off.

Anyway here is how to test your setup

1. Measure the voltage at the terminals of the Battery
2. Open the Solar Panel and put in the sun and measure the voltage at the battery Clips, don't let them touch and don't connect to the battery yet. (should be 14 volts or higher, might be Zero if it has a battery connected sensor, unlikely tho).
3. Now connect the alligator clips to the Battery and measure the voltage at the Battery Terminals and check that the "Charging" LED is lit
If the Battery is low the voltage should only be slightly higher in step 3 than in step 1 but it should def be higher EG 12.4 in step 1 then 12.7 or so in step 3
It won't be like an Alternator where it goes up to high 13.s and stays there. Solar Regulators are current regulated not voltage

DO NOT leave the battery connected with no Solar Power if you are recharging it as when the Soalr Power is unavailable the battery will power the Regulator

Now... that Unit looks like their 15 Watt system to me. If it is that means in absolutely ideal conditions it will recharge your Battery at approximately 1 amp per hour... so if you have an N70 100 Amp Hour Battery and it is down 10 % then it will take 10 hours of ideal sunlight and angle to recharge it assuming absolutely nothing else is running.

The system is designed to run a couple of lights OR a "small" Fridge IE a 40 litre or less off a battery by using battery power at night and topping the Battery up in the day so you need to start with a fully charged battery in that case.

As a recharger, yes that will work but it will take yoinks... if the Battery is down say 30% it will take about 4 days

As a battery "Keeper" IE connected to your fully charged vehicle Batteries and keeping them at 100% charge then Yes, it will do that quite well.

Hope that helps matey...

[the evil twin]

BUMP...

I'm still here Roscoe... lingering like that bad smell in the crapper that just won't go away...

[Finly Owner]

I think his solar battery in the PC has gone flat.

[the evil twin]

I think his solar battery in the PC has gone flat.

Hehehehe.... could be...

... Don't you make me come down there, Roscoe

[DX grunt]

BUMP...

I'm still here Roscoe... lingering like that bad smell in the crapper that just won't go away...

I know, I know. lol Been really busy and tired from work, I start my 3 days off from Sunday, so I'll get to it then.

I know you won't go away. lol

[mackayboi]

I would ask...

have you charged the batteries successfully before with these same solar panels?

Is there any draw from a electrical fault within the car?

Try charging with a 240volt battery charger... if this works then the regulator might be out.

[angeline]

It won't be like an Alternator where it goes up to high 13.s and stays there. Solar Regulators are current regulated not voltage

DO NOT leave the battery connected with no Solar Power if you are recharging it as when the Soalr Power is unavailable the battery will power the Regulator
.

The solar charge regulator main task is to charge the battery and to protect it from deep discharging. Deep discharging could also damage the battery. Solar regulators also help to improve charge quality. It is generally recommended to use charge controllers with solar panels with the rated output of 5W or more. Furthermore, you can also bypass the battery and directly connect your appliances to the solar panel regulator In order to run them. Solar regulators are maintenance free. All you need to do is regularly check the connections, ensure normal air flow to the device, and avoid placing it in direct sunlight.

[Woof]

The solar charge regulator main task is to charge the battery and to protect it from deep discharging. Deep discharging could also damage the battery. Solar regulators also help to improve charge quality. It is generally recommended to use charge controllers with solar panels with the rated output of 5W or more. Furthermore, you can also bypass the battery and directly connect your appliances to the solar panel regulator In order to run them. Solar regulators are maintenance free. All you need to do is regularly check the connections, ensure normal air flow to the device, and avoid placing it in direct sunlight.

Thanks mate, why not jump over to the Introduction section and introduce yourself, sounds like you are someone with a bit of knowledge about this sort of stuff.

[DX grunt]

It's a brand new set up. I sussed it out and it's a German brand. Surely it can't have a flat battery already. It was a Xmas pressie.