Easy way to measure solar output (Amps)?

rexlion wrote:
I did all of the above. I am getting "something" but it's not right.

That 1a might be ok or not--

You first want to see what the panel is doing. For that take the Isc by disconnecting the panel from the controller's array side. Now put the meter across the two panel wires (ignore pos and neg, doesn't matter) You will get some amps depending on how well the panel is aimed at the sun, etc. If it is a 4a Isc rated panel, you might get that much or a bit more or a lot less, depending on aiming and the amount of sunlight. Say you get 3a. (panel aimed right but sun low, eg)

Now you want to know how much of that 3a is getting to the battery. Connect controller to battery and array to controller in that order, but with meter in line with battery controller. Say it says 1a.

(You can't do this with lots of white clouds rushing by the sun changing the amps every minute. You need a time of sun in the clear so you have time to do all this.)

Now you can find out where did the 2a go missing? -- Batteries might be full so only take 1a, or wiring losses including connections.

With batteries low enough to accept the amps, the panel aimed at the sun will have the nearly the same Isc amps reading as you see at the battery