Marlec HRDX controller 15.40v - Help/Advice

[Solar2020]

Hello, I own a Marlec HRDX controller, which is connected to one 100w solar panel. When I looked at the controller this morning , the red regulator light was lit, but the display voltage going to my battery was 15.40v. Is this normal, for those of you that own a Marlec controller?

I read the manual , and understood that the cut in voltage was 13.8 and the max voltage was 14.4, at which point the regulator should shunt the excess power. I have just checked my battery voltage with a multimeter and it is reading 15.40 volts, which at least reconciles with what is on the HRDX display, but makes me wonder whether the regulator is actually working?

It is a sunny day and I just wonder how high the voltage can safely get?

 

[RIBW]

.... the display voltage going to my battery was 15.40v. Is this normal, for those of you that own a Marlec controller?

I have never seen anything above 13.8V on mine.

Marlec have always given me excellent advice. 1st stop with them is a phone call - usually is helpful and knowledgeable.
Cheers
Bob

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hello, I own a Marlec HRDX controller, which is connected to one 100w solar panel. When I looked at the controller this morning , the red regulator light was lit, but the display voltage going to my battery was 15.40v. Is this normal, for those of you that own a Marlec controller?

I read the manual , and understood that the cut in voltage was 13.8 and the max voltage was 14.4, at which point the regulator should shunt the excess power. I have just checked my battery voltage with a multimeter and it is reading 15.40 volts, which at least reconciles with what is on the HRDX display, but makes me wonder whether the regulator is actually working?

It is a sunny day and I just wonder how high the voltage can safely get?

It's already too high, turn it off/disconnect it.

 

[VicS]

I have never seen anything above 13.8V on mine.

Marlec have always given me excellent advice. 1st stop with them is a phone call - usually is helpful and knowledgeable.
Cheers
Bob

It should start to modulate its output at 13.8 volt and then progressively reduce the output as the volts increase to a maximum of 14.4.

 

[RIBW]

It should start to modulate its output at 13.8 volt and then progressively reduce the output as the volts increase to a maximum of 14.4.

Sorry Vic, I may not understand you correctly - here's my setup:-
I use my 20W solar panel to trickle charge the batteries in my absence. When I leave the boat the batteries will be less than fully charged and 'trickling' will commence. Next visit, on arrival, I see 13.8V, never more. Of course anything could be happening in my absence.
I have a cold standby 60W panel. I could connect that on the second input as a test and watch what happens over time.
Cheers
Bob

 

[VicS]

Sorry Vic, I may not understand you correctly - here's my setup:-
I use my 20W solar panel to trickle charge the batteries in my absence. When I leave the boat the batteries will be less than fully charged and 'trickling' will commence. Next visit, on arrival, I see 13.8V, never more. Of course anything could be happening in my absence.
I have a cold standby 60W panel. I could connect that on the second input as a test and watch what happens over time.
Cheers
Bob

I was quoting how Marlec say the HRDX works
It starts to control the charging when the volts rise to 13.8 and progressively reduces the current until it reaches a maximum of 14.4 volts .

 

[Kelpie]

I also have a HRDX with 100w of solar, and I have never seen it reading over 14v. I would second the suggestion to disconnect immediately as you may be damaging your batteries irreparably.

 

[tjbrace]

I saw a similar voltage when my wind turbine controller failed. Disconnect straight away as it could cause a fire.

 

[Solar2020]

Hi, apologies for the late reply. Thank you for all your replies. I disconnected the panel so no charge is currently going through the controller; I contacted Marlec and explained the issue : they said the controller is clearly faulty, but also out of warranty. If I send it to them to be repaired it is 45GBP an hour.

A new HRDSi controller is around the 150 GBP mark. Do any of yo u use any other brand of controllers? I have done a lot of testing and it appears it is only the voltage regulator that is not working correctly. I can still shut the turbine, or panels down via the controller and see the current battery voltage and the amps being generated. I am tempted to wire in a voltage regulator in between the controller and batteries to regulate the voltage to the batteries.

Does anyone have a link to a voltage regulator they have used? There are hundreds on ebay and it can be a bit of a mine field.

Thank you for your help

 

[tjbrace]

The controller for my wind turbine is electronically potted so it cannot be repaired. Its replacement, by Eclectic Energy, seems to be working fine. They confirmed the original controller developed a fault but didn’t say if this was reflected in a design change.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Hi, apologies for the late reply. Thank you for all your replies. I disconnected the panel so no charge is currently going through the controller; I contacted Marlec and explained the issue : they said the controller is clearly faulty, but also out of warranty. If I send it to them to be repaired it is 45GBP an hour.

A new HRDSi controller is around the 150 GBP mark. Do any of yo u use any other brand of controllers? I have done a lot of testing and it appears it is only the voltage regulator that is not working correctly. I can still shut the turbine, or panels down via the controller and see the current battery voltage and the amps being generated. I am tempted to wire in a voltage regulator in between the controller and batteries to regulate the voltage to the batteries.

Does anyone have a link to a voltage regulator they have used? There are hundreds on ebay and it can be a bit of a mine field.

Thank you for your help

Why not open up your Marlec and see if you can identify the regulator fitted?