Solar question 1

cagey

Well-Known Member
Joined
6 May 2004
Messages
2,241
Location
Cornwall
Visit site
Today finally connected 80w panel via solara charge controller to 100amp acid battery. Battery is dedicated start battery and I’m convinced it’s in good condition with a healthy charge evidenced by test gauges and enthusiasm it cranks Beta diesel. The charging light came on before I connected the battery and as soon as I connected the battery the battery status red light came on flashing at less than 25% then after about 15 mins a loud warning sound came from controller nothing was warm or smelling, the sound went after about 5 mins but came back every 15 mins approx, can’t find any mention of this in Solara web site. Have disconnected for tonight.
Any ideas whats happening, I’ve checked thoroughly for bad wiring but seems ok.
Thanks
Keith
 
With a lot of these controllers you have to connect to battery before you connect to solar panel so that it can detect whether its 12 or 24v.
 
Today finally connected 80w panel via solara charge controller to 100amp acid battery. Battery is dedicated start battery and I’m convinced it’s in good condition with a healthy charge evidenced by test gauges and enthusiasm it cranks Beta diesel. The charging light came on before I connected the battery and as soon as I connected the battery the battery status red light came on flashing at less than 25% then after about 15 mins a loud warning sound came from controller nothing was warm or smelling, the sound went after about 5 mins but came back every 15 mins approx, can’t find any mention of this in Solara web site. Have disconnected for tonight.
Any ideas whats happening, I’ve checked thoroughly for bad wiring but seems ok.
Thanks
Keith

+1 to post #2

80w seems a bit large just to charge the 100w engine battery.
 
Top