Solar Controller issue? July 25, 2018, 09:10:49 am I happened to glance at the solar controller and noticed that instead of the usual 14.0, the number had pretty much doubled. The batteries are about 3 years old, but have water. Any suggestions as to what the problem is, and do I need to clear out my valuables and kitties...?
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #1 – July 25, 2018, 09:32:05 am The display reads 326, not 32.6 - or is the "dot" no longer working?Also, is the switch in the "Battery / Volts" position or "Amps / Charge" one? It is difficult to tell.Now I have no experience with this unit at all although those were the first two questions that came to my mind.
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #2 – July 25, 2018, 09:38:17 am The dot is not longer working, and the switch is at the top - Amp Charge position.Thanks!
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #3 – July 25, 2018, 10:27:40 am If the reading from the old RV 30S charge controller is even close to accurate, the batteries will be toast very quickly. You don't say how many watts of panels you have, or which batteries you have (except that they're "watered"), so if you don't get suggestions from solar-savvy people on the board, you may want to call AM Solar (541-726 -1091) and get their ideas. 1 Likes
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #4 – July 25, 2018, 10:33:03 am If you are disconnected from shorepower, the charge controller is definitely bad - but it may still be working, just with a display problem. It needs to be removed for service or replaced with a better model. As a start, remove the fuse for solar. If you ARE on shorepower, disconnect. If the reading is now reasonable, the converter is bad.Steve
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #5 – July 25, 2018, 10:43:10 am Check the coach battery voltage when the controller is reading 326. Bet it doesn't match the actual battery voltage, if it did, the batteries would be boiling away madly or would explode..Odds are the old RV-30S controller has died. It is an older model, discontinue 15 years of so ago, that uses an older technology.Newer MPPT controllers will produce around 10% more amp/hours of power.The Blue Sky SB3000i is one of the most commonly used replacements and is good for 400-watts of solar.Blue Sky Energy Inc. | Solar Boost 3000iAmazon.com : Blue Sky SB3000i Solar Boost MPPT Solar Charge Controller :...Larry 1 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #6 – July 25, 2018, 10:56:00 am "...good for 4000-watts of solar."----400W, right? (I want a 4000W rolling power center!)
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #7 – July 25, 2018, 11:21:23 am Hi Pat. Most likely the problem is that slide switch. A bad design from the start, and largely superseded by better stuff. I have one on my rig that is nearing 17 years old (an MPPT Solar Boost 2000), and sometimes the switch isn't quite where it belongs, giving you erroneous displays. Especially in the center position. I also have a decimal point that comes and goes. The photo shows that the switch isn't all the way to the top. Try wiggling it to the top and the display should be working again. I expect that the display is OK, and the controller is working like it always has. The switch, partially dislodged (worn out detents) is just feeding bad data to the display. If you are comfortable with electronics I can 'walk' you through inserting one drop of WD-40 into that switch from the inside. (fixing electronics since I was 6 years old) RonB 1 Likes
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #8 – July 25, 2018, 11:27:03 am Quote from: RonB - July 25, 2018, 11:21:23 amHi Pat. Most likely the problem is that slide switch. A bad design from the start, and largely superseded by better stuff. I have one on my rig that is nearing 17 years old (an MPPT Solar Boost 2000), and sometimes the switch isn't quite where it belongs, giving you erroneous displays. Especially in the center position. I also have a decimal point that comes and goes. The photo shows that the switch isn't all the way to the top. Try wiggling it to the top and the display should be working again. I expect that the display is OK, and the controller is working like it always has. The switch, partially dislodged (worn out detents) is just feeding bad data to the display. If you are comfortable with electronics I can 'walk' you through inserting one drop of WD-40 into that switch from the inside. (fixing electronics since I was 6 years old) RonB "(fixing electronics since I was 6 years old) "And your quick, helpful troubleshooting responses are always welcome, Ron.Chris
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #9 – July 25, 2018, 12:30:58 pm Thank you one and all (except the wise-acher who said something about batteries exploding LOL!)I finally found someone to come test the batteries and other electrical bits, so this is all good guidance for him.First thing I did was unplug from shore power. Second was to look at the batteries - they are Interstate Deep Cycle.Solar panel is 85 watt according to the manual.I've fiddled with the switch, and beat on the area around the panel, but not even a flicker.The batteries aren't over-charging as far as I can tell - no bubbling, aren't getting hot - but my friend can check for sure.Where would a fuse be - behind the monitor itself? I don't see one in the fuse panel.And I have been planning to have a lot of this checked anyway, so looking into having the controller replaced will be added to the list.Thanks again!
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #10 – July 25, 2018, 02:00:58 pm Quote from: JCT - July 25, 2018, 10:56:00 am"...good for 4000-watts of solar."----400W, right? (I want a 4000W rolling power center!) Corrected
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #11 – July 25, 2018, 02:05:52 pm Hi Pat. The RV-30S was pretty 'old hat' in 2000. Unless you upgrade with more panels, a Solar Boost 3000i would be overkill. But the people with the HPV-22 or 22B who are upgrading their systems might part with the MPPT controller, they have, at a good price. (anyone out there with one sitting in a box?) That could increase the power you can get out of your present 85 watt panel. An HPV-22 would still work well with two 85 W. panels. There might be used, but still good, identical panels to what you have, available out there. RonB
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #12 – July 25, 2018, 02:19:20 pm "...except the wise-acher who said something about batteries exploding LOL!"----Larry has a good sense of humor, but his comment was not in the "wiseacre" category; overcharged batteries can and do boil out and/or explode.
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #13 – July 25, 2018, 02:28:49 pm Quote from: JCT - July 25, 2018, 02:19:20 pm"...except the wise-acher who said something about batteries exploding LOL!"----Larry has a good sense of humor, but his comment was not in the "wiseacre" category; overcharged batteries can and do boil out and/or explode. Batteries do exploded for many reasons, excessive overcharging can build large amounts of hydrogen gas, a single spark will set the explosion off. I have seen this happen several times, including having 6 T-105 batteries explode simultaneously while I was standing over them. A loose connection set it off. A battery acid bath isn't a lot of fun. I'm lucky to be here.Larry
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #14 – July 25, 2018, 02:36:57 pm Funny thing about that, I tried to start my generator once, (2017) and heard a loud 'pop'. Genset wouldn't start. So I was checking the batteries, and one of the caps (single caps, not the three gang) had exploded. Must have had some H2 in it, and a spark internal to the cell. High current demand for the generator starter.... Glad I wasn't staring into it at the time. Got a new set of batteries that day. Generator started fine. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #15 – July 25, 2018, 02:48:19 pm No offense intended Larry, at all! I said something about things blowing up to one of the service people I spoke with this morning, and they said that wasn't likely to happen... I've seen batteries blow before, and that was definitely one of my concerns. "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that things won't blow up!"My friend has confirmed it's more than likely the controller as the batteries are getting the charge expected. I read him the comment on the WD40, but that didn't help.And thank you for the note on a less-pricy replacement controller. I can't see adding another panel, so I'll be looking for something else.Thank you all again for your help!
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #16 – July 25, 2018, 03:06:18 pm Quote from: Pat & The Pearl - July 25, 2018, 02:48:19 pmAnd thank you for the note on a less-pricy replacement controller. I can't see adding another panel, so I'll be looking for something else.The only way you are going to acquire a HPV-22 or 22B is to find a used one, they are no long sold.I have replace several of them when they have stopped working, including ours.For a cheaper replacement than the 3000i, you can use one of these.Amazon.com: Go Power! GP-PWM-30 30 Amp Solar Regulator: AutomotiveI have installed two them and have not heard of any issues from the owners.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #17 – July 25, 2018, 03:29:19 pm Thanks Larry, I'll pass this suggestion along to my repair guy!
Re: Solar Controller issue? Reply #18 – July 25, 2018, 07:43:11 pm Recently our HPV 22B acted erratically. We were plugged into AC power and I had the switch set to shore power on the controller. I happened to glance at the controller and saw it fluctuating between 15.1 and 15.4 volts. With a meter, I checked the battery at the converter and checked the SeeLevel gauge and both were reading 13.3V.I reached up to switch the controller off and then on again but as soon as my hand touched the face of it the reading dropped to what it should have been showing. After all these years we don't check it all that often and have no idea if this happens often or what happened to begin with.We were not that far from AM Solar at the time and ended up having them swap it out for the Blue Sky SB 3000i. We were very happy with the 22B for 11 years but are also quite satisfied with the new Blue Sky. The only thing we didn't get connected was the auxiliary output for the truck battery. Too much cost and trouble given the location.One interesting difference from the old to the new is what happens when going from shore power to boondocking. For years after going from AC power to boondocking our first night without AC and the voltage would always read surprisingly low with little to no use of the battery. Over the course of a few days the level would read higher and higher. With the new controller, an hour after the sun goes down it reads 12.7v with no use from the first night out after coming off AC power.Jim
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