Is my MPPT solar controller possibly malfunctioning?

[mvcpt267]

Hi, need some advice:

About six months ago I downsized from my Class C to a Class B.

I now have a 2014 Roadtrek SS Agile. Roadtrek had a promotional offer for a solar package and my dealer installed it about three weeks ago. It consists of three 100 watt panels and a Provista 3042C MPPT solar controller. The coach batteries are two 6 volt AGM batteries.

All seemed fine for the first few weeks, but now for the last week the controller remains in night mode at all times. In blue skies and sunshine there is no charge. Prior to this past week I'd see the batteries charging at 13.2-13.4 volts while in day mode, then the controller would switch to night mode at sunset and settle down to 12.7-12.8 volts (full charge if I'm not mistaken). For the last week the controller remains in night mode and I've watched the batteries slowly ebb down to about 12.2-12.4 volts (about 50%?).

I'm wondering if the Provista controller is malfunctioning in some way. Roadtrek tells me it's functioning as it should, leave it alone and let it do its thing, but I don't see any charging happening so I have to wonder.

It isn't displaying any error messages and I understand that it goes to night mode if charge is less than 1 amp for more than 5 minutes. Scratching my head as to why there would be no charge greater than 1 amp on a sunny day and the coach batteries are probably about 50% with a reading of 12.4 volts.

Has the controller fried itself somehow? It's almost impossible to find any useful information in the manual or online that addresses any potential problem.

This also happened about the second week after the installation, but only for a day. I noted that it did this during three days of constant rain---obviously we had no sun, but once the storm finally passed it was back in day mode and float charging the batteries.

Would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks!

[time2roll]

Check the voltage on the controller input terminals.

[ImNuts]

You really need to get a battery monitor so that you can always tell exactly what's happening with your batteries and charging system. The monitor will tell you if you have a problem. Are any of your panels covered with shade? Even small amounts of shade can reduce output to zero. Are you sure that that everything was connected? We're you able to verify that the system worked? There is some very good information on solar systems here.

http://handybobsolar.wordpress.com/the-rv-battery-charging-puzzle-2/

[stevekk]

Google Provista mppt Controller.
And search thru the links.
May be of value. good Luck.

[Happy_Prospecto]

Have you checked the fuse or circuit breaker between the solar panels and the charge controller, if they are blown or open, that would not let any power to the controller, and it would think it was still night. Or it could be a bad connection at the combiner box.