Panels don’t seem to produce much

Tiagoo · Nov 12, 2023

Hi just wanted to some options. We have two 360w panels in series, and we’re getting like 150w a day!
I know it’s cloudy London and it’s also winter but we live on a boat and get pretty much full sun.
Panels going to a 100/50 victron and two lead batteries.

Does this sound normal?

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Looking at your readout you are getting 150Wh a day and pulling around 70 watts from the panels except for yesterday when your output was way low.

Something wrong there and even in cloudy weather you should get a lot more than that.

Start with the simple checks and check panel fronts for obstructions and clean them. Check angle and tilt is getting optimum sun. Check all wiring at the panels and volts and amps at the panels.

Are you charging from any other source like a generator or shore power?

Are your batteries full?

Pi Curio · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
Hi just wanted to some options. We have two 360w panels in series, and we’re getting like 150w a day!
I know it’s cloudy London and it’s also winter but we live on a boat and get pretty much full sun.
Panels going to a 100/50 victron and two lead batteries.

Does this sound normal?

Do you have a picture of your solar panels mounted? This sounds to me like a physical obstacle casting a shade on one of the panels and knocking the entire series production.

littleharbor2 · Nov 12, 2023

What are you using for a battery?

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

Solarcabin Channel said:
Are your batteries full?

Clearly not.

The Min/Max voltage is displayed on the readout he posted.

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

I would say you need more panels or more sun.

Clouds and rain kill production.

Overcast (high clouds) can make it better if your panels are not facing south with the correct tilt.

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Checkthisout said:
Clearly not.

The Min/Max voltage is displayed on the readout he posted.

I see 13.2 to 13.5 except for yesterday on that readout.

Tiagoo · Nov 12, 2023

Yesterday was particularly low because I disconnected the wires for a few hours, but it’s been averaging 150w per day.
Admittedly they had something blocking them partially during last week, but not for a few days now.

Not too sure how to test the panels, I will YouTube it and have a look tomorrow.

The batteries are now extremely low, does that impact charging?

I had a (dead) starter battery connected in parallel for a few days and the leisure never recovered after that. Nor did the starter battery charge much.

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
The batteries are now extremely low, does that impact charging?

What batteries are you using?

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

Solarcabin Channel said:
I see 13.2 to 13.5 except for yesterday on that readout.

And?

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
Yesterday was particularly low because I disconnected the wires for a few hours, but it’s been averaging 150w per day.
Admittedly they had something blocking them partially during last week, but not for a few days now.

Not too sure how to test the panels, I will YouTube it and have a look tomorrow.

The batteries are now extremely low, does that impact charging?

I had a (dead) starter battery connected in parallel for a few days and the leisure never recovered after that. Nor did the starter battery charge much.

I'm going to say your panels are fine and you're just seeing the impacts of what clouds, shade and shadowing can have on panels.

Any shore power or generator you can connect to get the batteries back up?

I assume your panels are on a boat or RV and are mounted flat on the roof, yes?

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Checkthisout said:
And?

Have a great day!

littleharbor2 · Nov 12, 2023

Again, What is your battery?
It appears to go to a fully charged voltage and go over discharged while only using minimal charging. I'm going to guess your battery is either very small or toast. Done commenting here.

mikefitz · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
two lead batteries

These batteries may be past useful service, dead. Have you tested these batteries and have you charged with an alternative charger?

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

littleharbor2 said:
Again, What is your battery?
It appears to go to a fully charged voltage and go over discharged while only using minimal charging. I'm going to guess your battery is either very small or toast. Done commenting here.

It's not going to fully charged voltage.

He is never getting to the absorption voltage while charging. 13.2 is the max voltage his system hit while charging the other 3 days.

Come on guys.

Tiagoo · Nov 12, 2023

Ok my bad, there was an obstruction today. My girlfriend had put the rope on top of one of the panels, and being in series, reduces production on both. Very annoying.
But still, doesn’t make sense that the batteries never recovered from when I connected the starter to them.
Could that have ruined the batteries? They’re only 6months old and never been discharged fully I think.

Tiagoo · Nov 12, 2023

And btw, would very little things count as obstructions? Like this

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
My girlfriend had put the rope on top of one of the panels

That would explain the drop yesterday but what type of batteries are you using?

Are they flooded, sealed AGM and what Ah and volts?

Hard to help you without that info.

Solarcabin Channel · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
And btw, would very little things count as obstructions? Like this

A small leaf won't effect output much but get more than a few and it can effect panels in series. You need to do a panel inspection any time output drops.

Checkthisout · Nov 12, 2023

Tiagoo said:
And btw, would very little things count as obstructions? Like this

Rain kills production. I can't emphasize that enough. You'll get 1% of panel nameplate on a cloudy, rainy day in winter.

Your batteries are fine.

Give them a good charge off a generator or shore power.

Panels don’t seem to produce much

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