I have a 160W ZAMP Solar package on my 5er I bought a few months back. Now that the days are getting a little longer and the sun a little higher the solar is doing its thing. I have been disconnected from shore power for a few days, and yesterday I noticed my batteries were bubbling which surprised me. I went inside the trailer to look at the solar control panel and found the batteries to be all the way up at 15.4V! Even though the status indicator is green indicating "float" voltage it sure seems that at that voltage level its in equalization phase. Am I wrong in thinking this?I have the DIP switches on the unit set to 14.4V bulk, 13.4V float, and 15.1V Equalization. The last DIP switch I have set to "manual" equalization.So why would the controller be pushing 15.4V to the batteries if I have not commanded it to do a manual equalization? And even if I had it seems as though its pushing a higher voltage 15.4V vs what I have it programmed to 15.1V?

Is this an MPPT or PWM controller?Could be your parasitic load is so low that the controller is not able to "buck" the voltage down enough from the panel.If you turn on ~80 watts of loads, where does the voltage settle at, during peak sun?

The 15.4 vs. 15.1 could be some ambient temperature compensation.Is there any rest procedure you may have missed after changing the DIP SW?Some need to reboot after program change.

It is a 30A 4-stage PWM controller. http://www.zampsolar.com/product/30-amp-4-stage-pwm-digital-indoor-solar-charge-controller-zs-30ap/I did not see anything in the manual in regards to a reset/reboot but will check again. Outside ambient temperature at this time was around 65*C which I wouldn't think would require temp compensation.

Hi,After you set the dip switches did you remove the solar panels from the input and disconnect the battery bank? If not, the dip switches changes may not have taken effect.

I would guess that something has initiated the equalization cycle on the controller. Maybe, disconnecting the module and then disconnecting the controller from batteries will be effective. Connect back together as to the Mfg's instruction sequence.

Solar overcharging batteries | Good Sam Community

GordonThree
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
Is this an MPPT or PWM controller?

Could be your parasitic load is so low that the controller is not able to "buck" the voltage down enough from the panel.

If you turn on ~80 watts of loads, where does the voltage settle at, during peak sun?
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 24, 2015
The 15.4 vs. 15.1 could be some ambient temperature compensation.

Is there any rest procedure you may have missed after changing the DIP SW?
Some need to reboot after program change.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
It is a 30A 4-stage PWM controller. http://www.zampsolar.com/product/30-amp-4-stage-pwm-digital-indoor-solar-charge-controller-zs-30ap/

I did not see anything in the manual in regards to a reset/reboot but will check again. Outside ambient temperature at this time was around 65*C which I wouldn't think would require temp compensation.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Feb 24, 2015
Hi,

After you set the dip switches did you remove the solar panels from the input and disconnect the battery bank? If not, the dip switches changes may not have taken effect.
westend
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
I would guess that something has initiated the equalization cycle on the controller. Maybe, disconnecting the module and then disconnecting the controller from batteries will be effective. Connect back together as to the Mfg's instruction sequence.
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
It is a 30A 4-stage PWM controller. http://www.zampsolar.com/product/30-amp-4-stage-pwm-digital-indoor-solar-charge-controller-zs-30ap/

I did not see anything in the manual in regards to a reset/reboot but will check again. Outside ambient temperature at this time was around 65*C which I wouldn't think would require temp compensation.

65* C ??? I hope you meant 65F. 65C is about 150F :E
N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
Yes F, not C
N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 24, 2015
Looking through the manual I did not find any mention of having to disconnect anything after making DIP switch changes. I would think if that was required it would have been mentioned, but who knows... http://zampsolar.com/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ZS-30AP-Users-Manual.pdf

I will give it a try however and see if it makes a difference. As it is right now I don't believe the controller is operating as it should with the current settings.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 24, 2015
Did you use the button to stop the equalization? Did it work?

Have you previously seen float at 13.4?

If it acts up again after a reboot I would be looking for a warranty replacement or refund.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2015
What made you purchase that particular brand?