gcvt
New Member
Posts: 1 
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Post by gcvt on Nov 18, 2016 12:26:20 GMT -8
I recently installed the 200w RV kit on my Class B RV and am wondering what's going on with my 'Adventurer' charge controller readings. Batteries are two Werker Group 27 AGMs. Optional remote battery voltage sensor and remote battery temperature sensor are connected to the charge controller.
When I got to work yesterday, I parked in full sun and got these readings:
PV - 0 kWh
PV - 1.0A
PV - 20v
Batt - 72°F
Batt - 100%
Batt - 14.7v
Then I moved the van in to full shade and got these readings one hour later:
PV - 0 kWh
PV - 0.3A
PV - 13v
Batt - 75°F
Batt - 40%
Batt - 13.2v
Then an hour after sunset in complete darkness I got these readings:
PV - 0 kWh
PV - 0.0A
PV - 1.0v
Batt - 70°F
Batt - 73%
Batt - 13.0v
Obviously, my concern is with the battery % reading. How can I be getting readings of 40%, 73%, etc. with voltage readings never below 13.0 volts? Would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.
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Post by rabird on Nov 18, 2016 17:26:55 GMT -8
batt % is bogus, disregard.
Absorption!
With the batt at 14.7v, the controller is turning on/off very fast to limit power to the batt to prevent overcharge, this is its job. When the panel is OFF PV = 21v in SUN. When the panel in ON, PV = Batt V. So if the controller is on 50% and off 50% then the voltage (PV) would be (21 + 14.7)/2 = 17.85, later in sun the controller is off say 75% so .75 * 21 + .25 * 14.7 = 19.425v. The controller stays in absorption for a set time like 2 hrs while the amps (current) is limited to keep the batt @ 14.7v. Keeping the batt @ 14.7 by turning off the panel limits current (amps). Note PV amps of 1A is low for 200 watts but the controller is OFF most of the time since the batts are near full.
After absorption, the controller keeps the batt in float of 13.?, but in full shade, PV off is less than 21, could be very low! Note again the low PV amps since the batts don't need much power to maintain the float voltage.
Later the controller knows it is dark and PV is very low with no charging.
learn to ignore the %
The concept is batt V rises to 14.7v or whatever it is set to, stays there for a few hrs then goes to float of 13.2v or whatever it is set to.
PV voltage matches batt until the controller limits power to the batt since it is at a set pt.
panel disconnected in SUN should read 21v or so and if you measured the current it would be ZERO amps. since power is volts x amps, power when OFF or disconnected is 21v * ZERO amps = ZERO watts. This high frequency on/off at various on/off times is what keeps the batt from overcharging and the limited time of absorption. The controller is far to dumb to know % charge most of the time!
I'd set the controller to AGM or sealed, I think my ViewStar does 14.4v absorption for sealed batts, 14.6v for flooded.
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Post by krankworxs on Apr 15, 2017 17:54:20 GMT -8
So where do u hook up the battery voltage sensor? I have no idea what that's for.thanks
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Post by rabird on Apr 16, 2017 17:08:25 GMT -8
So where do u hook up the battery voltage sensor? I have no idea what that's for.thanks if ya have one it goes to the battery, since there can be voltage drop between the controller and batt the sensor makes sure the controller gets the batt to the correct set pt programmed into the controller. You may not have such a sensor and/or your controller may not be capable of adding one. |
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Post by krankworxs on Apr 16, 2017 20:54:40 GMT -8
Ok thx, had that cable come with my adventurer, so I'll hook it to the battery then plug it in to the back. Thx again
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