Samlex Solar Controller

Almot wrote:
... and if the truck won't keep them high enough, just connect the panels direct for a few hours.

Yep. Thanks

... and if the truck won't keep them high enough, just connect the panels direct for a few hours.

Update. Called Samlex and a new controller is headed to our home. Thought about it and decided that would be easiest as we will be home in about a week anyway.
Meantime the truck should keep the batteries charged as we will be traveling.

big whitey wrote:

... will the solar panels continue to charge my batteries if the controller isn't functionong? If so what happens with an inoperative controller....overcharge of batteries or what?

Short answer: Maybe :)

Long answer: depends on what kind of "dead". (See my previous post).
It can stop passing any energy through - then it won't charge. Or it can pass ALL the energy through, and then it will overcharge if given enough time.

Again, you can charge battery directly with 12V panels.

Some controllers do have a fuse in them that will blow if you do something like a reverse polarity or short. The Eco-worthy 20a controller has a 25a fuse in it (I had to replace that fuse) Usually you can take the plate off the back and see what's inside.

However, if nothing was happening and now there is no charging, it might not even be the controller at fault. The OP did not make clear what else he looked for that might be an "open" in the wiring or fusing from panel to controller to battery.

Question...

It was offered above that the Samlex is a potted controller?

Sealed? No access?

I was going to suggest the same but Doug beat me to it.
Emergency charging without controller:
Connect the panels directly to battery (I assume they are 12V panels).
Check the voltage from time to time, to make sure it won't stay at 15V for more then an hour or won't go over 15. Then disconnect the panels or cover them with tarp, or run some loads.

First make sure that controller is dead of course. If it doesn't pass any voltage or current through, or doesn't regulate it so that it goes higher and higher, then it's dead. In the former scenario it "could" be a fuse in controller, but if you don't see any fuse then it's dead.

You do need a multimeter to measure voltage and current. Costs from $5 for a cr-ap to ~$40 for a decent one.

If you have a means of monitoring the voltage to your battery, you can just tie the panels to the battery, and watch the voltage. If it gets over 15 V, disconnect panel (or part of the panels if you can), or put a load on to lower the voltage. An inverter tied to the system can be used to load it down, adding load to the output can vary the drop in voltage.

This is not a great way, but if you need to charge it will work.

I have some fixed panels, and a portable for when the roof panels don't get enough sun or are not enough. I just tie the portable to the battery.

Doug

Thanks for the info,sorta as I was afraid that would be the case. I will be calling Samlex this AM when they open and see about getting a new controller.

Moved from technology