Solar suitcase problem

Question

I bought a 130w solar suitcase a couple months back. I comes with a cheap CMTD A2410 controller. I've hooked it up only three times. The first two times all was well. Today I hooked it up to my boat batteries and it has gone haywire. I was going to check the on and off parameters to make sure they were where I wanted. The readings for the parameters are way to high, reading 29 - 30 volts. Cannot set below 29 and the display still has a readout after I disconnect the batteries. I'm assuming this controller is toast. My problem is that we are leaving on trip that I bought this thing for in less than two weeks.
Can I reset this thing or do I need to buy a new controller? If I need to buy recommendations please.
As always, thanks for your help.

doughere · Answer

I believe that controller is 12/24 volt.  Did you hook up the battery side first?  Most dual voltagr controllers determine their operation from the battery hookup.  Values you mentioned sound like it thinks its a 24 volt system

bfl13 · Answer

Katdaddy wrote:I bought a 130w solar suitcase a couple months back. I comes with a cheap CMTD A2410 controller. I've hooked it up only three times. The first two times all was well. Today I hooked it up to my boat batteries and it has gone haywire. I was going to check the on and off parameters to make sure they were where I wanted. The readings for the parameters are way to high, reading 29 - 30 volts. Cannot set below 29 and the display still has a readout after I disconnect the batteries. I'm assuming this controller is toast. My problem is that we are leaving on trip that I bought this thing for in less than two weeks. Can I reset this thing or do I need to buy a new controller? If I need to buy recommendations please.As always, thanks for your help.First question is if the boat is 24v, did you let the controller see the 24v before you connected the controller to the array?Could be other issues, but start there for now.https://www.dropbox.com/s/3utx0h3wjnztwmn/CMTD-10A-Solar-Charger-DUAL-USB-6.pdf?dl=0

pianotuna · Answer

most solar controllers do not "like" input from solar without first connecting to the battery bank.

give the controller a "rest". Then short out the input, follow that by shorting out the output. Next connect the controller to the battery bank. Then connect to the solar panels.

I hope the controller was not fried.

katdaddy · Answer

I just ran back outside to give it a go and that did it. Hooked the batteries up first and everything is back to normal. My boat system is 12 volt, so I don't know why it read 24 volt.
Again thanks so much for your help. The knowledge on this forum is just amazing.

lwiddis · Answer

Buy a good controller. Install it in the RV. Connect your portable solar panels to the controller. Or you can wait until the cheapo fails.

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