New SunSaver 20L not working!

[unbob]

Just installed new SunSaver 20L. This seems to be a defective unit. If there's another possibility - I'm all ears!

Using multimeter, reading 19v from the single 85w PV panel. But the SunSaver status LED shows nothing (same as if no PV panel connected). Morningstar calls this 'Night' operating state - the status LED is off with "heartbeat" indication flickering ON (green) briefly every 5 seconds.

Therefore, no charging of the battery is happening.

Desperately seeking Comments/feedback. Thx!

[dclark1946]

I also received my new replacement 10A Sunsaver from Morningstar. Installed it yesterday and it is working properly. I am pleased with how Morningstar handled my issue but still wonder about their assembly quality. It seems they may be having more escaping defects.

[Darryl_Rita]

Probably used the procedure printed in the manual.

[unbob]

BFL13 wrote:
Do you see how he tested it? Might be useful to know.

Unfortunately no. It was tested in another room at the store.

[BFL13]

Do you see how he tested it? Might be useful to know.

[time2roll]

Good to hear the replacement is working as expected.

[unbob]

Update: Defective SunSaver was returned to dealer who tested and confirmed unit was indeed defective. Exchanged for another identical SunSaver model. Now all good - working A-OK!

Moral of this story - when buying in store - have the merchant test and demonstrate the product functions 100%. In our case, it was necessary to drive 60+ miles on a bad road to obtain an exchange unit and pretty much used up an entire day we would rather have spent on the beach! But we are thankful the dealer was cooperative and helpful getting us a new unit.

Gotta wonder about Morningstar's QC. :h

[unbob]

westend wrote:
dcClark should have had it suggested that he start a new thread with his problem. We now have multiple posters responding to that issue and not to the OP's consideration.

unbob,
If you have everything correctly connected and have disconnected the controller to release and reset any fault minders in the controller, you could be fairly certain that your controller is not operational. I have a different Morningstar controller but the LED's are always active when connected to battery power. BTW, you may wish to put a fuse between the controller and battery. Wire smells awful when it burns.

Thanks westend! Re a fuse holder between battery and controller - it would also make it much easier to disconnect battery from controller!

We will be returning the unit to dealer today for exchange. However, this being Mexico and the dealer only speaking Español it may difficult to do.:(

[dclark1946]

westend wrote:
dcClark should have had it suggested that he start a new thread with his problem. We now have multiple posters responding to that issue and not to the OP's consideration.

unbob,
If you have everything correctly connected and have disconnected the controller to release and reset any fault minders in the controller, you could be fairly certain that your controller is not operational. I have a different Morningstar controller but the LED's are always active when connected to battery power. BTW, you may wish to put a fuse between the controller and battery. Wire smells awful when it burns.

My intent in posting the issue with my SunSaver controller was not to solicit inputs for a solution as I pointed out that I had discussed this issue with Morningstar tech support and they were sending me a new controller. The main point of my post was that Morningstar may be having product quality issues in newly assembled products.

[westend]

dcClark should have had it suggested that he start a new thread with his problem. We now have multiple posters responding to that issue and not to the OP's consideration.

unbob,
If you have everything correctly connected and have disconnected the controller to release and reset any fault minders in the controller, you could be fairly certain that your controller is not operational. I have a different Morningstar controller but the LED's are always active when connected to battery power. BTW, you may wish to put a fuse between the controller and battery. Wire smells awful when it burns.

[Johnny_G1]

mike-s wrote:

Johnny G1 wrote:
Problem was only there with the truck running or not

...so, the problem was there all the time.

Problem went away after I disconected the feed line from the truck to camper.

[mike-s]

Johnny G1 wrote:
Problem was only there with the truck running or not

...so, the problem was there all the time.

[Johnny_G1]

mike-s wrote:

Johnny G1 wrote:
...I had a charge line from my truck alternator to charge my camper batteries...The problem showed up when I had park and shut off my truck

The truck should have a relay which only connects the charge line when the engine is running. That prevents the truck battery from being drained if the connection were to be left in place when parking or camping.

Problem was only there with the truck running or not, quite familiar with relay's and such, then why did it work properly when truck line was disconected??? almost looks like it didn't like charge coming from both?? No problem with my mh, alternator charging along with solar panels????

[mike-s]

Johnny G1 wrote:
...I had a charge line from my truck alternator to charge my camper batteries...The problem showed up when I had park and shut off my truck

The truck should have a relay which only connects the charge line when the engine is running. That prevents the truck battery from being drained if the connection were to be left in place when parking or camping.

[MrWizard]

Direct charge line? No relay, no isolator?
You were feeding the alternator and the truck battery