Understanding solar
I am trying out solar for the first time. I have a toy hauler with 2 brand new 6 volt batteries wired in series. I got a 100 watt solar panel with a 11 amp charge controller that cuts in at 13v and cu...
Forum Discussion
GATJcampers wrote:
I pulled the J plug apart and measured straight out of the panel (probes on the J plug) got 20+ volts then reconnected that J plug. Then pulled the J plug after the controller that goes to the battery also got 20+ volts. Reconnected that J plug then with everything connected from panel to batteries I measured at the batteries and get about 13 volts.
as suspected!
If you slightly open the plug (so it is still connected) and probe the two contacts for voltage you will see something similar to battery voltage. Without the battery as a LOAD you are measuring open voltage ~20v.
That is one cheap controller that barely gets to 14.2 before going to float, BTDT, repeated undercharge! Get a better controller, cut off the plugs and hard wire to controller.
