Buck Gizmo Test Results
This test was to see how much the amps went up at the output of the buck converter compared with the input amps. This is the gizmo again: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-15A-Converter-Buck-Adjustabl...
Forum Discussion
You are neglecting the fact that solar panels are current sources. When in boost mode, the controller shorts the panel to the battery. The charging current is Isc.
In absorption mode, charging current must be less than Isc. If the controller can't maintain regulation (the load + charging current > Isc) then the controller will revert to boost mode.
In your case, if you set the regulator 14.2V and the battery is at 13.0V then the converter is not in regulation. It's doing things it's not designed for. The inductor may go into saturation. Now there's virtually no current limit and the series pass transistor could get destroyed.
In absorption mode, charging current must be less than Isc. If the controller can't maintain regulation (the load + charging current > Isc) then the controller will revert to boost mode.
In your case, if you set the regulator 14.2V and the battery is at 13.0V then the converter is not in regulation. It's doing things it's not designed for. The inductor may go into saturation. Now there's virtually no current limit and the series pass transistor could get destroyed.
