Ran genset, now seeing 19+ volts from solar
My MH has been sitting in the driveway for several weeks with the solar panels keeping it charged. NO shore power. Today I went in to run the genset. The voltage meter read 13.6v before I did anyt...
Forum Discussion
I'm back. I'll try to comment without going back and quoting all the various things I want to remember to comment on. :)
First, Mr Wizard, I agree that the solar controller to the battery needs to be after the 100A fuse. That was a big mistake, as we now see.
Question: where was the voltage reading taken? Answer: Point A. Before the battery fuse, after the controller. Tied in with everything.
Now, when the 100A fuse blew and the controller went to 19.6v, that voltage was being sent everywhere else. To the inverter (which has internal protection), to the genset controls, to the fuse panel and everywhere beyond, and possibly even to the chassis battery, depending on the logic of the little system that controls the interconnection relay. Oh, even that thing too got hit with 19.6v. If nothing blew, I'll be really lucky.
I'm having a hard time accepting that the 100A fuse blew just as the genset started. I mean, sure it could have done that. I know that the 19.6v had nothing to do with the fuse blowing. But, the genset ran for several minutes, then shut down with the error code. It seems likely that was the moment the fuse blew. But why? I wonder about what I think was a chattering relay at the genset. With all the genset noise and rattles, it was hard to say. In fact I had removed the cover on the genset was trying to pinpoint the noise when the genset shut down. Maybe it's the starter relay, and it caused the fuse to blow. I wish I knew how to troubleshoot it. It obviously works when it's time to start the genset.
BFL: As jrnymn said, I saw the 19.6v after it had been present for a few moments, THEN disconnected the panels.
ALL: Any recommendation on the size of the replacement fuse? This is all pretty new installation, and I decided on the 100A. Well, I DID use my clamp on ammeter and measured 70-some cranking amps, and that's when I decided on 100A. It's supposed to be a catastrophic fuse. Size wise, it is protecting 2 gauge cabling. It sure seems like it needs to be bigger, like 125 or 150?
First, Mr Wizard, I agree that the solar controller to the battery needs to be after the 100A fuse. That was a big mistake, as we now see.
Question: where was the voltage reading taken? Answer: Point A. Before the battery fuse, after the controller. Tied in with everything.
Now, when the 100A fuse blew and the controller went to 19.6v, that voltage was being sent everywhere else. To the inverter (which has internal protection), to the genset controls, to the fuse panel and everywhere beyond, and possibly even to the chassis battery, depending on the logic of the little system that controls the interconnection relay. Oh, even that thing too got hit with 19.6v. If nothing blew, I'll be really lucky.
I'm having a hard time accepting that the 100A fuse blew just as the genset started. I mean, sure it could have done that. I know that the 19.6v had nothing to do with the fuse blowing. But, the genset ran for several minutes, then shut down with the error code. It seems likely that was the moment the fuse blew. But why? I wonder about what I think was a chattering relay at the genset. With all the genset noise and rattles, it was hard to say. In fact I had removed the cover on the genset was trying to pinpoint the noise when the genset shut down. Maybe it's the starter relay, and it caused the fuse to blow. I wish I knew how to troubleshoot it. It obviously works when it's time to start the genset.
BFL: As jrnymn said, I saw the 19.6v after it had been present for a few moments, THEN disconnected the panels.
ALL: Any recommendation on the size of the replacement fuse? This is all pretty new installation, and I decided on the 100A. Well, I DID use my clamp on ammeter and measured 70-some cranking amps, and that's when I decided on 100A. It's supposed to be a catastrophic fuse. Size wise, it is protecting 2 gauge cabling. It sure seems like it needs to be bigger, like 125 or 150?
