timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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The clamp meter will let you get real time data, of all of that.
Full Sun but not full power?
- Thread starter pda1
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pellicle
retired ex-professional dingbat
could be interesting measurements.
In my last experiment I measured amps:
- out of panel
- out of SCC (into battery)
- out of battery into the inverter (distinct cable from above)
Intheswamp
Latitude N 31° 43' 59" Alabama
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I bought this meter a couple of months ago. It seems to work well but I'm definitely not an electrical engineer. The only thing that I've checked amps on has been a very small panel (~12-13 watts) that I use to keep my garden's electric fence battery charged. The small panel is in the fraction of an amp range so the readings I've seen so far are a little jumpy...I just mentally average out the amps. I would imagine that where you're measuring whole amps that it would be much more stable. One day I'll test it on some higher amp devices. I'm happy with it so far.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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It helps, when measuring small loads. To press the zero out button, before placing the clamp around the wire.I bought this meter a couple of months ago. It seems to work well but I'm definitely not an electrical engineer. The only thing that I've checked amps on has been a very small panel (~12-13 watts) that I use to keep my garden's electric fence battery charged. The small panel is in the fraction of an amp range so the readings I've seen so far are a little jumpy...I just mentally average out the amps. I would imagine that where you're measuring whole amps that it would be much more stable. One day I'll test it on some higher amp devices. I'm happy with it so far.
Intheswamp
Latitude N 31° 43' 59" Alabama
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Yep, the zero out helps tremendously, but still those numbers right of the decimal point like to wander a tad. The placement of the "hold" button is at times a help...and plumb aggravating at times, though!!! I've sat there a time or two wondering "why isn't this thing working???"...then I see the "Hold" icon.<grin> I've learned to watch for that, though. It seems well built, nothing Space-Shuttle-level, but definitely good enough for what I'll be using it for!
'Just got the meter and clamped it on the several wires coming from each of the panels. Today is a snowy day which will prevent the panels from producing maximum power or discovering which panel is problematic.
My system is 2s3p
Here's what I've done so far;
Checked the current flow from both the positive and negative side of each panel, each string and the output from the Combiner box (at the Combiner box) to the mppt. All of the current figures look similar within a +/- range.
Here's a curiosity- When measuring a positive wire sometimes there's a minus sign beside the amperage reading. And when measuring a negative wire sometimes there's no sign beside the amperage reading. Would someone please explain that?
My system is 2s3p
Here's what I've done so far;
Checked the current flow from both the positive and negative side of each panel, each string and the output from the Combiner box (at the Combiner box) to the mppt. All of the current figures look similar within a +/- range.
Here's a curiosity- When measuring a positive wire sometimes there's a minus sign beside the amperage reading. And when measuring a negative wire sometimes there's no sign beside the amperage reading. Would someone please explain that?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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If you turn the meter around and clamp on the other way. It will read opposite, because DC current flows in one direction.
Thanks. Wanted to make sure it wasn't indicating reverse polarity.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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It actually is. But, it's according the the position of the meter.
In full Sun I checked the 3 strings and got varying amperage readings but all, except 1 string, were similar in readings. 1 string was about half the amperage of the other 2. No shading, no dirt on panels. Later in the day the 1 suspect string produced similar current figures compared to the other 2 strings.
I shorted the suspect string and got 8amps which is Isc.
My system is about 1.5 kW- 3s2p
The maximum output, yesterday, was 944w (which is pretty good) but I suspect that was an instantaneous figure and not of long duration. A 1.5kW (or so) hair dryer was used for the load). When the dryer was running I noticed the panels produced a consistent 600w +/- but no more than that.
10awg solar wire is used from the Combiner box to the SCC in a run of about 25 feet. 10awg wire is used on the panels to the Combiner box. All connections and connectors are good.
I'm really at a loss to understand what's wrong. Maybe the Victron 150/60 SCC? It's new. Last night, well after dark, the VictronConnect "app" said the panels were producing between 3 to 4w power and I measured about 26v at the SCC panel input terminals. That was another curiosity.
Any ideas?
I shorted the suspect string and got 8amps which is Isc.
My system is about 1.5 kW- 3s2p
The maximum output, yesterday, was 944w (which is pretty good) but I suspect that was an instantaneous figure and not of long duration. A 1.5kW (or so) hair dryer was used for the load). When the dryer was running I noticed the panels produced a consistent 600w +/- but no more than that.
10awg solar wire is used from the Combiner box to the SCC in a run of about 25 feet. 10awg wire is used on the panels to the Combiner box. All connections and connectors are good.
I'm really at a loss to understand what's wrong. Maybe the Victron 150/60 SCC? It's new. Last night, well after dark, the VictronConnect "app" said the panels were producing between 3 to 4w power and I measured about 26v at the SCC panel input terminals. That was another curiosity.
Any ideas?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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The SCC is only going to put out what the load requires. You will never know what the max output is, until you reach it with your load.
When the load is a 1.5 kW hair dryer, the Panels supplied about 600w and the batteries supplied around 1000w (as read using VictronConnect for the BMV-712) I had expected the panels would supply all of the power and not a large portion from the batteries to the inverter.
timselectric
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If all 3 strings are producing around the same output. It doesn't appear that there is a problem with the panels. Check all connections between the panels and SCC.
But, the batteries are supplying most of the power. And, with a 1.5kW hair dryer running at its full power I expect the panels to supply well over 1kW or at least above 900w for the duration. I also put a 2kW microwave oven and the panels supplied 500 (or so) and the batteries 1.3kW.
timselectric
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That would depend on the batteries SOC.
If SOC is high, the SCC isn't going to see the need for high output.
Before the Load was turned on they were at 27v which is Float for BB LIF. Once the load was turned on then the voltage dropped and went into Bulk charge.
timselectric
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At bulk charge. The SCC should be pulling everything it can from the panels (that's available) , up to its maximum input.
Sounds like I've got a problem somewhere or misunderstanding the readings I'm getting. Nuts
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Have you tried letting your SOC get down to below 70%, and see if that increases your solar output?
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