Solar issues,

[daisymini]

Hi everyone! I’ve set up my solar with 360w flat panels to epever 30amp controller. The problem is I’m getting voltage from panels and voltage to pins on controller but controller is not recognising the panels and is showing the moon symbol. Also added another controller to rule out a bad controller but results are the same! I’m at a loss as to what to check next! I’ve unwired controller several times checked panel connectors and all seem ok

 

[myvanwy]

The way the weather is at the mo Im not surprised the controler thinks its night time. If you are reading the voltage straight from the panels (ie open circuit voltage) you should get a reading but as soon as a load is applied the voltage will drop off unless in serious sunlight. Hope that helps?

 

[1 Cup]

Not used that controller epever 30amp controller !
My China controller old has a flag icon displayed. Chang3d to victron
Some controllers need a voltage + 5 above battery 12v
Are your panels upside-down ?. We Should always bench test ie; on the ground, anything that goes on roof frist. Or buy 10 meters of extra wire.

 

[daisymini]

Not used that controller epever 30amp controller !
My China controller old has a flag icon displayed. Chang3d to victron
Some controllers need a voltage + 5 above battery 12v
Are your panels upside-down ?. We Should always bench test ie; on the ground, anything that goes on roof frist. Or buy 10 meters of extra wire.

Hahaha. We did think at first we might have put panels upside down But we haven’t, I’ve YouTubed and googled to no avail!!

 

[trevskoda]

You should have connected the battery first, if not you may have damaged the unit, also is it fused and have you wired the panels correct, mine are charging good here in N Ireland.

 

[jeffmossy]

I agree with Trev, make sure you connect power before connecting panels

 

[trevskoda]

Also i have seen folks forget to take the plastic film of the panels from new.

 

[Nabsim]

What voltage are you getting at the panels (before controller Sue?

 

[trevskoda]

She should be getting around 19v on a good day.

 

[colinm]

Have you remembered to connect battery first, then panel?

 

[winks]

I’d go with Trev on this one.

Disconnect everything, wait a while, the reconnect putting the battery on first.

Good luck

Cheers

H

 

[merl]

Hi everyone! I’ve set up my solar with 360w flat panels to epever 30amp controller. The problem is I’m getting voltage from panels and voltage to pins on controller but controller is not recognising the panels and is showing the moon symbol. Also added another controller to rule out a bad controller but results are the same! I’m at a loss as to what to check next! I’ve unwired controller several times checked panel connectors and all seem ok

Many controllers have the charge capability switched off during the night to prevent the panels discharging the battery during periods of guaranteed no sunshine, ie during the night. Sounds like your controller possibly needs the clock (time of day) and the 'night time disable' function setting up, hence the moon symbol being on during the day.

 

[trevskoda]

Many controllers have the charge capability switched off during the night to prevent the panels discharging the battery during periods of guaranteed no sunshine, ie during the night. Sounds like your controller possibly needs the clock (time of day) and the 'night time disable' function setting up, hence the moon symbol being on during the day.

All will have reverse diodes to stop feedback, but yes they will shut down below 12.2v or there abouts depending on the make.
There is no clock on the votronic units.

 

[merl]

Trev, the reverse diodes introduce charge inefficiency due to the voltage drop, so some manufacturers choose to simply shut the unit down during the night, mine has the option to do so and I think the Epevers do too because the display panel has 2 options to show the 'not charging' state, during the day there's a battery symbol (plus something else that I can't recall that signifies 'not charging'), then there is the moon symbol too.
Why have 2 different displays for the same thing?

 

[merl]

Hi everyone! I’ve set up my solar with 360w flat panels to epever 30amp controller. The problem is I’m getting voltage from panels and voltage to pins on controller but controller is not recognising the panels and is showing the moon symbol. Also added another controller to rule out a bad controller but results are the same! I’m at a loss as to what to check next! I’ve unwired controller several times checked panel connectors and all seem ok

Also check you've got the polarity of the panels correct!

 

[trevskoda]

Trev, the reverse diodes introduce charge inefficiency due to the voltage drop, so some manufacturers choose to simply shut the unit down during the night, mine has the option to do so and I think the Epevers do too because the display panel has 2 options to show the 'not charging' state, during the day there's a battery symbol (plus something else that I can't recall that signifies 'not charging'), then there is the moon symbol too.
Why have 2 different displays for the same thing?

You are correct, but some regulaters are not what they say on the tin, yes i think mine shut down in the evening about half an hr before darkness creeps in as voltage float drops from about 13.3/6 to 12.6/7 ish all of a sudden.

 

[wildebus]

Also check you've got the polarity of the panels correct!

This is quite possible if the solar has never worked. There are markings on the MC4 connectors with +ve and -ve on them and depending where you test the cables, these can by design be reversed and if an installer is not aware of this, they can very easily reverse the wiring to the controller.