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jstaffon's avatar
jstaffon
Explorer
Jul 07, 2016

Renogy Solar Panels

I just received my new 100 W Renogy Portable Suitcase. Using the factory default settings except for Celsius to Fahrenheit and time/date changes, I noticed that when I first hook the panels up to my camper both the PV and Battery current starts out at around 6 amps. It holds steady for about 5 minutes or so and then both the PV and Battery current drop off to around 2.5 amps. The voltages are 17 and 14.4 respectively in both cases. When it's drawing 6 amps I can partially shade the panels and see fluctuations in the current. I see those same fluctuations when it shows 2.5 amps. Is there something misconfigured in my controller or is this normal operation? During these tests I saw no changes in the sun location or clouds.

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  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 08, 2016
    sounds normal to me
    what is the battery state of charge ?
    near full batteries don't need much
    and
    panels reduce output as they heat up
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer II
    Jul 08, 2016
    14.4 is a pretty good charge. I have no idea how your controller is programmed but it may be going into absorb. This happens when the batteries reach the absorb voltage which is often 14.4 v. Your controller is simply trying to not overcharge your batteries. If it regulates down to 2.5 amps try turning on a bunch of lights and see it it goes back up. It should.

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