diy solar

diy solar

Panel upgrade

Tylerharris99

New Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2021
Messages
11
Bought off grid home with existing solar system. Upgraded to bigger panels while simultaneously upgrading to a bigger charge controller. New circuits should have 115 volt max, and 16.5 amp max. I’m getting the 115 volts consistently but only at 1 amp or less. I switched back to the old charge controller only to get the same results. And idea what could be wrong??
 
Are creating a 2 nd charge circuit? Or combining new and old panels to create a single charge circuit?
Panel voltage is easy to produce but much cloud of shading can cause amps to fall off bad.
 
I’m getting the 115 volts consistently but only at 1 amp or less.
How and where are you measuring this?
At the array leads.
At the SCC terminals?
On the SCC display?

If your batteries are full (or if you SCC thinks they are full), the SCC will pull fewer amps than your array is capable of producing.
 
Last edited:
Bought off grid home with existing solar system. Upgraded to bigger panels while simultaneously upgrading to a bigger charge controller. New circuits should have 115 volt max, and 16.5 amp max. I’m getting the 115 volts consistently but only at 1 amp or less. I switched back to the old charge controller only to get the same results. And idea what could be wrong??
The battery is not already fully-charged, is it?
 
Are creating a 2 nd charge circuit? Or combining new and old panels to create a single charge circuit?
Panel voltage is easy to produce but much cloud of shading can cause amps to fall off bad.
Away with the old panels. 2 circuits of new panels. I have 3x the wattage as before but I’m producing less electricity though? Day to day/sunny or cloudy doesn’t seem to matter. Never exceeds and amp
 
How and where are you measuring this?
At the array leads.
At the SCC terminals?
On the SCC display?

If your batteries are full (or if you SCC thinks they are full), the SCC will pull fewer amps than your array is capable of producing.
Measuring the voltage at all 3 of those locations and they are consistent. My batteries aren’t full and I don’t think the SCC thinks they are because the SCC monitors battery voltage and does so accurately
 
I would unwire panels and short circuit and check panel output that way. If watts check out that way. Look at wire size and length.
 
The single best tool for solar work I've ever bought was a clamp style meter that reads DC. I've identified all sorts of issues with it, bad connectors, etc., and can be had for less than $40.
 
What’s the SCC settings for the battery?

Can you verify just one string can output desired current? Very fit each connections, a bad connection can show proper voltage but will lack current.
 
Back
Top