CA Traveler wrote:
I wondered...could there have been anything driving the current back towards the solar charge controller and popping the 40amp breaker? I didn't think so. Could the 30amp charge controller have delivered more than 40 amps??
Who knows considering you're apparently exceeding the CC specs? Parts overheat etc and specs become irrelevant.
From the manual:
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Maximum PV array power
This MPPT controller has a limiting function of charging current/power. The charging current/powerwill be limited within the rated range, therefore, the controller will charge the battery with the rated charging power even if the input power at the PV exceeds this limit. The actual operation power of the PV array conforms to the conditions below:
1)PV array actual power ? controller rated charge power, the controller will charge the battery at the actual maximum power point.
2)PV array actualpower> controller rated charge power, the controller will charge the battery at the charger’s maximum rated power.
If the PV power is higher than the charger’s maximum rated power, the charging time at rated power to the battery will be longer,and more energy to battery will be stored in the battery..
WARNING: The controller has a maximum PV power input rating(watts), and will allow the PV power to be higher than the rated power,
but if the PV power is three times greater than the rated power, the controller will damaged.***************************************************************
Note: My PV power is nowhere near 3x greater than the rated power, so I don't think it should be a problem. Also, most of the time the solar panels will NOT be delivering their maximum power since they are mounted flat on top of an RV, time of year, time of day, voltage drop in wire, etc.
