Post by jonesy on Oct 6, 2016 8:58:07 GMT -8
I have a Tracer MPPT charge controller (1210RN) installed in a 12V system. Yesterday morning I attached a MT-5 meter to the controller at about an hour after sunrise. The voltage measured at the panel inputs on the charge controller was 15.9V and the voltage measured at the battery inputs was 13.9V, which makes sense because the battery was in its boost (absorb) phase. The solar panel display on the MT-5 showed the correct panel voltage (15.9V) but the battery display showed 12.6V and 0.0A. I checked several times throughout the morning and the display never rose above 12.6V and the current never changed from 0.0 amps. Later in the afternoon, the battery showed 12.5V or 12.6V and the MT-5 display for the battery showed the correct voltage (either 12.5V or 12.6V) but never showed anything other than 0.0 amps current. There is NO Load attached to the battery.
Since I'm seeing the battery voltage rise in the morning, it seems obvious that it is being charged by the panel, but why does the meter show 0.0A for the battery current? Why does the meter never show a battery voltage above 12.6V? Is this an indication of a bad meter or damaged controller?
Thanks,
Jonesy
Since I'm seeing the battery voltage rise in the morning, it seems obvious that it is being charged by the panel, but why does the meter show 0.0A for the battery current? Why does the meter never show a battery voltage above 12.6V? Is this an indication of a bad meter or damaged controller?
Thanks,
Jonesy