New SunSaver 20L not working!
Just installed new SunSaver 20L. This seems to be a defective unit. If there's another possibility - I'm all ears! Using multimeter, reading 19v from the single 85w PV panel. But the SunSaver statu...
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Here is a "field test" for a basic solar controller (Specialty Concepts ASC) that may or may not apply to the SunSaver you can try when there is some sun.
EDIT--Read the SunSaver manual first to see if it is one of those which will fry if on panel with no battery! This test has that.
STEP 1: Preparation –
1) Put a solar panel in full sun. Remove any connections. Measure the open circuit voltage (voc)
of the panel (meter(+) to panel(+); meter(–) to panel(–) ). It needs to be 17 volts* or higher
to perform the following tests.
2) Remove any connections from the ASC.
STEP 2: Test FET’s (power transistors) – A unit with an shorted FET will not charge a
battery. One with an open FET may overcharge the battery.
1) With all ASC connections removed, connect the panel(+) to the ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”; panel(–)
to the ASC’s “ARRAY (–)” (no battery connection).
2) Measure voltage at BATT(+) and BATT(–) terminals on the ASC. The reading should be
between 14.0 and 15.0 volts*. (Units with Option-A (Temperature Compensation) and
Option-F (Adjustable Set-points) may vary beyond this range).
A very high reading (16-20 volts*) would indicate an open FET, or very low reading (2-5
volts*) would indicate a shorted FET. Units with open or short FET’s are defective
EDIT--Read the SunSaver manual first to see if it is one of those which will fry if on panel with no battery! This test has that.
STEP 1: Preparation –
1) Put a solar panel in full sun. Remove any connections. Measure the open circuit voltage (voc)
of the panel (meter(+) to panel(+); meter(–) to panel(–) ). It needs to be 17 volts* or higher
to perform the following tests.
2) Remove any connections from the ASC.
STEP 2: Test FET’s (power transistors) – A unit with an shorted FET will not charge a
battery. One with an open FET may overcharge the battery.
1) With all ASC connections removed, connect the panel(+) to the ASC’s “ARRAY(+)”; panel(–)
to the ASC’s “ARRAY (–)” (no battery connection).
2) Measure voltage at BATT(+) and BATT(–) terminals on the ASC. The reading should be
between 14.0 and 15.0 volts*. (Units with Option-A (Temperature Compensation) and
Option-F (Adjustable Set-points) may vary beyond this range).
A very high reading (16-20 volts*) would indicate an open FET, or very low reading (2-5
volts*) would indicate a shorted FET. Units with open or short FET’s are defective
