Click on the product for which you are seeking answers:

SE 135 – SE 150
SE 400 – SE 500
SE 1200 – SE 1500
SE 4000 – SE 6000 – SE 8000
Charge Controller
Solar Vent
System trouble shooting

SE-135 – SE 150

Q1 Will the SolarCharger 135 keep my vehicle battery charged?
The SolarCharger 135 trickle charger compensates for natural voltage losses and key-off small instrumentation drain by replenishing 0.675 AH/day / 0.75 AH/day, to your battery or battery bank at a maximum rate of 135mA/150mA in full sunlight.

Q2 What types of battery can I charge?
You can trickle charge all types of 12V batteries with these solar chargers (SE-135 & SE-500), including lead-acid automotive, deep cycle (traction type), gel-cell batteries, also AGMs and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries.

Q3 Can the SolarCharger 135/150 drain my battery at night? 
No. All Sunsei(tm) solar panels are equipped with a built-in diode, which prevents any reverse current.

Q4 Can I overcharge my battery with the SolarCharger SE 135/150?
The SolarCharger SE 135/150 will not overcharge a standard 12v deep cycle vehicle battery. However it could overcharge batteries with less than a 40.5AH/45AH capacity. We recommend the use of charge controllers for batteries with smaller capacity.

Q5 Can the solarcharger SE135/SE150 be left outdoors?
Yes, however we suggest that you put a bead of clear silicone gel around the edges of the solar plate adn connector. If the panel is oing to remain outside permanently we suggest you place a protective cover so that the water does not hit the panel directly.

Q6 Can I start my vehicle with the SolarCharger 135 connected to the cigarette lighter socket or battery?
Yes. The SolarCharger 135 can remain connected while the vehicle is operating. As a safety precaution while driving, store the panel in a secure place.

Q8 Will the SolarCharger 135/150 always charge the battery through the cigarette lighter socket?
In some car models, the cigarette lighter socket is inactive while the vehicle is off. Please consult your car owner's manual. In the event that your car presents this limitation, use the battery clamps wire provided with the unit in order to connect it directly to your battery.

Q9 When I push the test button, the LED does not light up on the Solarcharger 135/150.
If the LED is not lit when pressing the test button, it may mean you are not exposing the unit to enough daylight. Please position teh solar panel to maximize its exposure to the sun. If this does not trigger the LED to work, it is possible that the LED is burnt out. The LED may have a more limited life span than the panel, but this in no way reflects on or affects the performence of the solar panel. You may test the voltage and amperage with a multi-meter to confirm that your panel is working.

SE-400 – SE-500

Q1 How long will it take for these solar chargers (SE-400-500) to charge a dead battery?
The Solarchargers (400/500) are designed to trickle charge serveral batteries in a 12V bank configuration or to replenish a small amount of battery capacity. They compensate for natural voltage losses adn key-off small instrumentation drain by replenishing 2AH/day, to your battery or battery bank at maximum rate of 400mA / 500mA in full sunlight respectively.

Q2 What types of battery can I charge?
You can trickle charge all types of 12V batteries with these solar chargers (SE-400 & SE-500), including lead-acid automotive, deep cycle (traction type), gel-cell batteries, also AGMs and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries.

Q3 Can the SolarCharger 400/500 drain my battery at night?
No. All Sunsei(tm) solar panels are equipped with a built-in diode, which prevents any reverse current.

Q4 Do I have to disconnect the panels from the battery when I drive or while I am recharging my battery with my generator?
No, Sunsei™ solar panels are designed to be connected to the battery permanently. There is no need to disconnect them when charging the batteries by other means such as AC chargers or your vehicle's generator or alternator.

Q5 Can I mount the SolarCharger 400 directly to a surface or do I need to use some sort of bracket?
Sunsei™ solar panels can be installed directly to a flat surface, using the screws provided. Note: The SolarCharger 400or 500 is compatible with the Sunsei™ SolarGrip™. It provides alternative mounting options (no need to drill your deck or roof) and rotates 360° to better follow the sun.

Q6 Can the SolarCharger 400 be left outdoors without protective covering?
Yes, the SolarCharger 400 and 500 has been weather protected and can be mounted outdoors. It is completely weatherproofed, and can withstand ½ inch hailstones, up to 180ºF heat, and operate under 3 inches of snow (on sunny days).
Q7 Do I need a charge controller with the SolarCharger 400/500?
Generally, a charge controller is not required for the SolarCharger 400 or 500 because it is not powerful enough to overcharge your battery. However, a charge controller may be required for batteries with a capacity of less than 120AH/150AH, respectively. We recommend the use of charge controllers for batteries with smaller capacity

Q8 How long will it take for the SolarCharger 400 or 500 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 400 /500 are designed to trickle charge several batteries in a 12V bank configuration or to replenish a small amount of battery capacity. They compensate for natural voltage losses and key-off small instrumentation drain by replenishing your battery. It replenishes 2AH/day and 2.5 AH/day, to your battery or battery bank at a mximum rate of 400mA or 500mA in full sunlight respectively.

Q9 What types of batteries can I charge?
You can trickle charge all types of 12V batteries with the SolarChargers SE- 400 & SE-500, including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. We recommend the use of charge controllers for the gel-cell and AGM batteries.

SE-1200 – SE-1500

Q1 What types of battery can I charge?
You can charge all types of 12V batteries with the SolarChargers 1200/1500, including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries.

Q2How long will it take for the SolarCharger 1200 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 1200 can recharge a depleted battery. It will supply the battery with 1.2A per hour when exposed to full sunlight, that is 6 AmpHours/day on average. Therefore, depending on type of battery and the conditions, a battery that requires 30AH for full charge would take approximately 25 hours of full sunshine to recharge. You can use multiple panels in order to decrease the total charging time.

Q3How long will it take for the SolarCharger 1500 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 1500 can recharge a depleted battery. It will supply the battery with 7.5 Amp hour (AH) when exposed to full sunlight. Therefore, depending on type of battery and the conditions, a battery that requires 30AH for full charge would take approximately 20 hours of full sunshine to recharge. You can use multiple panels in order to decrease the total charging time.

Q4 Do I need a charge controller with the SolarCharger 1200 /1500?
Yes. It is important to use a charge controller with the SolarChargers 1200 & 1500 to protect your battery from overcharge.

Q4 Can the SolarCharger 1200 or 1500  drain my battery at night?
No. All Sunsei(tm) solar panels are equipped with a built-in diode, which prevents any reverse current.

Q5 Can I mount the SolarCharger 1200 / 1500 directly to a surface or do I need to use some sort of bracket?
Yes they can both be installed directly to a flat surface, using the screws and center legs provided.

Can the SolarCharger 1200/1500 be left outdoors without protective covering?
Yes, these panels have been weather protected and can be mounted outdoors. They are completely weatherproofed, and can withstand ½ inch hailstones, up to 180ºF heat, and operate under 3 inches of snow (on sunny days).

Q6 Can I start my vehicle with the SE 1200 / 1500 connected to the cigarette lighter socket or battery?
Yes. The SE 1200 / 1500 can remain connected while the vehicle is operating. As a safety precaution while driving, store the panel in a secure place.

Q7 Do I have to disconnect the panels from the battery when I drive or while I am recharging my battery with my generator?
No, Sunsei™ solar panels are designed to be connected to the battery permanently. There is no need to disconnect them when charging the batteries by other means such as AC chargers or your vehicle's generator or alternator.

Q8 Will the SolarCharger 1200/1500 always charge the battery through the cigarette lighter socket?
In some car models, the cigarette lighter socket is inactive while the vehicle is off. Please consult your car owner's manual. In the event that your car presents this limitation, use the battery clamps wire provided with the unit in order to connect it directly to your battery.

Q9 When I push the test button, the LED does not light up on the SolarCharger 1200/1500.
If the LED is not lit when pressing the test button, it may mean that you are not exposing the unit to enough daylight. Please position the solar panel to maximize its exposure to the sun. If this does not trigger the LED to work, it is possible that the LED is burnt out. The LED may have a more limited life span than the panel, but this in no way reflects on or affects the performance of the solar panel. You may test the voltage and amperage with a multi-meter to confirm that your panel is working.

Q11 Can I use the Glue and Pole mounting kits with the SE-1200/1500?
No. These kits are designed for use with the SE-4000/6000/8000 solar chargers

Q12 Can I run my 110V appliances using my SolarCharger 1200/1500 panels?
Not directly. But it is possible to run your 110V appliances with the use of an inverter (unavailable through ICP) that will change the battery's 12V (DC) output into 110V (AC) power.

Q13 Can I run my whole house on the power generated from a few SolarCharger 1200/1500 panels?
No, not unless you installed a very, very large number of solar panels. The power generated is not enough to run your entire household. A few panels can be used to supply your battery with reserve power to help run some 12V or 110V appliances in your home, cottage, boat or RV.

Q14 Can I connect my SolarCharger 1200/1500 solar panels together without the panel-to-panel connector cable?
The panels can be connected together without the connector cable, however, our panel-to-panel connector cables are designed specifically for Sunsei™ SolarCharger panels. Without them, you risk a poor or inversed connection.

Q15 Can I extend my wiring?
Yes. You can extend the wiring of solar panels (100 watts or less) using AWG12 within 20 feet.

Q16 Can I connect two SolarChargers together to configure a 24 V system which would allow me to charge a 24 V battery bank system?
Yes you can with a little ingenuity. You would need to connect the panels in series. Unfortunately, our connector cables only configure the panels into a 12 V system by paralleling them. You would have to cut the connector cables and connect the red with the black and then take your output from the two remaining leads. And you would need to use a charge controller which would be able to handle a 24 V battery bank configuration. Our CC-25000 does handle 24 V systems.

SE 4000 – SE 6000 – SE 8000

Q1 How long will it take for the SolarCharger 4000 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 4000 can recharge a depleted battery. It will supply the battery with 4A per hour when exposed to full sunlight, that is 20 AmpHours/day on average. Therefore, depending on type of battery and the conditions, a 50% depleted battery that requires 60AH for full charge would take approximately 15 hours of full sunshine to recharge. You can use multiple panels in order to decrease the total charging time.

Q1How long will it take for the SolarCharger 6000 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 6000 can recharge a depleted battery. It will supply the battery with 6A per hour when exposed to full sunlight, that is 30 AmpHours/day on average. Therefore, depending on type of battery and the conditions, a 50% depleted battery that requires 60AH for full charge would take approximately 10 hours of full sunshine to recharge. You can use multiple panels in order to decrease the total charging time.

Q1How long will it take for the SolarCharger 8000 to charge a dead battery?
The SolarCharger 8000 can recharge a depleted battery. It will supply the battery with 8A per hour when exposed to full sunlight, that is 40 AmpHours/day on average. Therefore, depending on type of battery and the conditions, a 50% depleted battery that requires 60AH for full charge would take approximately 7.5 hours of full sunshine to recharge. You can use multiple panels in order to decrease the total charging time.

Q2 What type of batteries can I recharge?
You can recharge all types of 12V batteries including lead-acid automotive batteries, deep cycle (traction type) batteries, gel-cell batteries, AGMs and heavy-duty (stationary type) batteries. When using the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 to run appliances on a regular basis, we recommend the use of deep cycle marine batteries, which are designed to withstand frequent charge and discharge cycles.

Q2B Can I charge more that one battery at the same time using the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000?
Yes, the charge can be applied to a bank of batteries. When attached to a bank of two or more batteries, the total power input will be divided into that number of batteries. The higher the number of batteries, the longer it will take to recharge the battery bank. Please note that when you charge multiple batteries, all batteries should be of similar type, capacity, condition and state of charge so that they will be charged evenly.

Q3 Can the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 drain my battery at night?
Once the Sunsei™ charge controller is installed, there is no danger of reverse current so you can leave your charger installed overnight.

Q4 Without a Sunsei™ charge controller, can the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 overcharge my battery?
Yes, that is why it is important to install a charge controller between the solar panel and the battery. Do not connect the charger directly to the battery.

Q5 Can my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 be left outdoors without protective covering?
Yes. The SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels have been weatherproofed and can be mounted outdoors without any additional protection. Please note, however that the Sunsei™ charge controller must be kept indoors.

Q6/7 Should I disconnect my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 from the battery when I start my vehicle's engine or while recharging with an auxiliary power source?
No. It is safe to leave your SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels connected to your vehicle's battery when starting the engine or when charging through an auxiliary power source, such as AC chargers or a vehicle's generator or alternator. The charger will not be damaged, nor will it interfere with on-board electronics.

Q9 The blue LED on the panel no longer flashes. Should I be concerned?
The blue LED indicates that your unit is receiving daylight exposure. If it is not lit, it could mean that you are not exposing the unit to enough daylight. Please reposition the solar panel to maximize its exposure to the sun. If this does not trigger the LED to work, it is possible that the LED is burnt out. The LED may have a more limited life span than the panel, but this in no way reflects on or affects the performance of the solar panel.

Q10 Can I mount the SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels directly to a surface or do I need to use some sort of bracket?
Yes they can be installed directly to a flat surface using the brackets and screws provided. And the SolarChargers 4000/6000/8000 are compatible with the Glue and Pole mounting kits which provide alternative mounting options.

Q12 Can I run my 110V appliances using my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels?
Not directly. But it is possible to run your 110V appliances with the use of an inverter (purchased separately) that will change the battery's 12V (DC) output into 110V (AC) power.

Q13 Can I run my whole house on the power generated from a few SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 panels?
No, not unless you installed a very large number of solar panels. The power generated is not enough to run your entire household. A few panels can be used to supply your battery with reserve power to help run some 12V or 110V appliances in your home, cottage, boat or RV.

Q14 Can I connect my SolarCharger 4000/6000/8000 solar panels together without the panel-to-panel connector cable?
No. The panel-to-panel connector cables are designed specifically for Sunsei™ SolarCharger panels. Without them, you risk a poor or inversed connection.

Q15 Can I extend my wiring?
Yes. You can extend the wiring of solar panels (100 watts or less) using AWG12 within 20 feet.

Q16 Can I connect two SolarChargers together to configure a 24 V system which would allow me to charge a 24 V battery bank system?
Yes you can with a little ingenuity. You would need to connect the panels in series. Unfortunately, our connector cables only configure the panels into a 12 V system by paralleling them. You would have to cut the connector cables and connect the red with the black and then take your output from the two remaining leads. And you would need to use a charge controller which would be able to handle a 24 V battery bank configuration. Our CC-25000 does handle 24 V systems.

Charge Controller

How do I know if my charge controller is actually working?
The charge controllers are built and tested with state-of-the-art techniques. If the indicator LEDs are on, then it is most probably working. Nevertheless, to verify, you must use a DC multimeter. When the indicator light indicates charging, the controller has connected the panel to the battery. In this state, the battery voltage measured at the battery output terminals must be under 14.4 volts, and the solar panel at the input terminals must be a few tenths higher than the battery voltage. If you read 20 volts at the solar panel input, then the charger is not letting the current through. You would again make sure that the battery is under 14.4 volts and that the charging light is on. If the problem persists, contact ICP Customer Support. The charge controller can not be tested unless it is connected to a working solar panel and a good battery.
Can I connect more than one solar panel to my charge controller?
Yes, you can connect more than one solar panel to the charge controller in parallel (+ to + and - to -). The current from each panel will combine to charge more quickly. The total sum of the rated panel currents must not exceed the limit of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller. Please refer to the controller's instructions.
Can more than one battery be connected at the output of the charge controller?
Yes, as long as the batteries are connected in a voltage configuration for which the charger is made. For all Sunsei(tm) Solar Chargers, this is 12 volts. (Please note that the Sunsei(tm) CC25000 can also charge 24 volt batteries with 24 volt panel configurations. Please refer to the instruction manual.)
Why does the charge controller have to be placed close to the battery?
There are two reasons. Firstly, it is for safety. Batteries are capable of putting out a very high current that can result in fires. By having the controller close to the battery, you can reduce the chances of the + and - wires being shorted together if they are cut by accident. Secondly, it is for battery charge control accuracy. The current going through the wires causes a voltage drop which is sensed by the controller. This will cause slight inaccuracies in detecting the correct battery voltage. The drop in the wires increases with distance and smallness of wire, so when you increase the distance you must also use larger gauge.
Can I test the charge controller by hooking up a solar panel and reading the voltage at the battery terminals?
No. To test the charge controllers, a battery must be connected to complete the circuit. Please refer to the instruction sheet of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller.
Will the charge controller work with dead batteries?
It will work with batteries as low as 7 volts.
Will the charge controllers discharge the battery at night?
No, the charge controllers prevent backflow from the battery to the input, where the solar panels are connected. The design of the electronics in the controllers is such that battery draw is minimal and would take several months to discharge a battery alone.
I have been charging my battery for some time, but the FULL LED has never come on. Is there anything wrong?
No. The FULL LED indicates that the battery has reached the maximum voltage allowable under charging, and that the charge controller has cut off the charge from the solar array to the battery. The FULL LED will only come on when the battery voltage reaches 14.4 volts (14.2 volts for gel cell batteries). However, it is not necessary for a battery to reach this voltage to be considered fully charged. In fact, most battery manufacturers consider an open circuit voltage (taken at the battery terminals at least 30 minutes after the charge has stopped) of 12.8 to 13 volts to be a fully charged battery.

How do I know if my charge controller is actually working?

The controller will charge the battery up to 14.5V. The Status light will be ON while charging. After this voltage is reached, the light will then begin flashing and will maintain the battery at 13.7V.

Can I connect more than one solar panel to my charge controller?
Yes, you can connect more than one solar panel to the charge controller in parallel (+ to + and - to -). The current from each panel will combine to charge more quickly. The total sum of the rated panel currents must not exceed 90% of the limit of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller. Please refer to the controller's instructions.
Can more than one battery be connected at the output of the charge controller?
Yes, as long as the batteries are connected in a voltage configuration for which the charger is made. For all Sunsei(tm) Solar Chargers, this is 12 volts. (Please note that the Sunsei(tm) CC25000 can also charge 24 volt batteries with 24 volt panel configurations. Please refer to the instruction manual.)
Why does the charge controller have to be placed close to the battery?
There are two reasons. Firstly, it is for safety. Batteries are capable of putting out a very high current that can result in fires. By having the controller close to the battery, you can reduce the chances of the + and - wires being shorted together if they are cut by accident. It is also highly recommended to fuse any wires coming from the batteries in case a short or overload should occur. Please consult local electrical codes. Secondly, it is for battery charge control accuracy. The current going through the wires causes a voltage drop which is sensed by the controller. This will cause slight inaccuracies in detecting the correct battery voltage. The drop in the wires increases with distance and smallness of wire, so when you increase the distance you must also use larger gauge.
Can I test the charge controller by hooking up a solar panel and reading the voltage at the battery terminals?
No. To test the charge controllers, a battery must be connected to complete the circuit. Please refer to the instruction sheet of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller.
Will the charge controller work with dead batteries?
It will work with batteries as low as 7 volts.
Will the charge controllers discharge the battery at night?
No, the charge controllers prevent backflow from the battery to the input, where the solar panels are connected. The design of the electronics in the controllers is such that battery draw is minimal and would take several months to discharge a battery alone.

How do I know if my charge controller is actually working?

There are 3 operation lights on the controller which indicate the charging status of the CC25000:
Green = charging status, Yellow = good battery voltage indicator, Red = low battery indicator.
Constant light means boost, flashing means battery being topped off.

Can I connect more than one solar panel to my charge controller?
Yes, you can connect more than one solar panel to the charge controller in parallel (+ to + and - to -). The current from each panel will combine to charge more quickly. The total sum of the rated panel currents must not exceed the limit of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller. Please refer to the controller's instructions.
Can more than one battery be connected at the output of the charge controller?
Yes, as long as the batteries are connected in a voltage configuration for which the charger is made. For all Sunsei(tm) Solar Chargers, this is 12 volts. (Please note that the Sunsei(tm) CC25000 can also charge 24 volt batteries with 24 volt panel configurations. Please refer to the instruction manual.)
Why does the charge controller have to be placed close to the battery?
There are two reasons. Firstly, it is for safety. Batteries are capable of putting out a very high current that can result in fires. By having the controller close to the battery, you can reduce the chances of the + and - wires being shorted together if they are cut by accident. It is also highly recommended to fuse any wires coming from the batteries in case a short or overload should occur. Please consult local electrical codes. Secondly, it is for battery charge control accuracy. The current going through the wires causes a voltage drop which is sensed by the controller. This will cause slight inaccuracies in detecting the correct battery voltage. The drop in the wires increases with distance and smallness of wire, so when you increase the distance you must also use larger gauge.
Can I test the charge controller by hooking up a solar panel and reading the voltage at the battery terminals?
No. To test the charge controllers, a battery must be connected to complete the circuit. Please refer to the instruction sheet of your Sunsei(tm) Charge Controller.
Will the charge controller work with dead batteries?
It will work with batteries as low as 7 volts.
Will the charge controllers discharge the battery at night?
No, the charge controllers prevent backflow from the battery to the input, where the solar panels are connected. The design of the electronics in the controllers is such that battery draw is minimal and would take several months to discharge a battery alone.
How many iSun® SolarVENT® do I need?

In order to eliminate the growth of mold, mildew and musty air, the air within your living space should be exchanged once every hour in humid conditions (in boats or in humid coastal regions) or once every two hours (in dryer conditions). The SolarVENT® replaces 1,000 cubic feet (28 cubic meters) of air per hour. Calculate the volume of your living area and divide that number by the SolarVENT®’s airflow to determine the number of vents required. As a general guideline, a typical 30-foot boat contains approximately 800 cubic feet (23 cubic meters) of air.
NOTE: To increase airflow, we suggest having two SolarVENT® installed at opposite ends of the living area, setting one vent to EXHAUST and the other to INTAKE.
SPECIFICATIONS Marine Multi-Purpose

System trouble shooting

IMPORTANT: When working around batteries and other electrical equipment, please observe industry standard and manufacturer’s safety procedures.

To diagnose the problem with a solar system believed to not be operating correctly, it is important to check each component separately to isolate the problem effectively. The first component to verify is the solar panel itself since it is the quickest to verify and usually the most costly to replace. Once the operation of the solar panel has been verified, the charge controller can then be tested.

• SOLAR PANEL TROUBLESHOOTING

The following tests will help you determine the performance of your solar panel. It is recommended that these tests be conducted outside during a clear day in direct sunlight at noon for best results. To obtain the most amount of direct sunlight angle the panel to try and be as perpendicular with the sun as possible, usually a 20 degree tilt is optimal for summertime. The use of a reliable Multimeter is required to obtain accurate readings.

• Verifying the open circuit voltage of your solar panel

• Disconnect the panel from the charge controller.
• All readings in this and the following section must be taken directly off the panel, preferably with the shortest length of wire between the panel and the Multimeter.
• Set the meter to VDC on a range greater than 20VDC.
• Connect the red probe (V) from the Multimeter to the positive output of your panel (red wire).
• Connect the black probe (COM) wire from the Multimeter to the negative output of your panel (black wire).  Note: If you are testing a Colman brand panel, you will need to take reading of J-plug connectors. In a J-plug connector, the positive terminal is the female and the negative is the male.
• 
  You should obtain a reading from 18 to 24VDC.

Figure 1: Connections necessary to conduct the open circuit voltage test

• Verifying the short circuit current of you solar panel.

• Before you begin this section, make sure you know what the rated maximum current for your panel is. If you do not know what it is, you can consult table 1 below on to find out.
• Set the range on your meter to 10A DC.
• Remember that when using a Multimeter to read current after having used it to read voltage, the red probe on the Multimeter must be moved to the terminal meant for current reading. If your Multimeter does not have a current terminal, it cannot read current.
• Connect the red probe (A) from the Multimeter to the positive wire on the panel.
• Connect the black probe (COM) wire on the Multimeter to the negative wire on the panel.
• You should expect a reading from 25% to 100% of the maximum output current for your panel, depending on weather, season and location.

Table 1: Solar panel rated power and current reference table.

Figure 2: Connections necessary to conduct the short circuit current test.

• Understanding the results

• If the results obtained from both tests are within the expected ranges, then the panels are operating correctly and producing power.
• If the results obtained for both tests were 0, then some part of the panel has become defective, either the solar plate or the internal wiring.
• If the voltage results were good but the current test failed, make sure that the current test was properly conducted. If current is verified to be 0, then the solar plate as become defective.

• CHARGE CONTROLLER TROUBLESHOOTING

A charge controller is an electronic device placed inline between a solar generation system and a battery bank. It is responsible for regulating the operating voltage of the system to carry out a safe and efficient charging process. A charge controller is also responsible for preventing over charging of your battery system. The test in the following section require that the entire system be connected, meaning solar panels, charge controllers and batteries.

• Verifying the voltage across the charge controller

• All readings in this section must be taken with the entire system setup correctly.  so the wire caps must be taken off the connections to the charge controller to allow for the probes to take readings.
• Set the Multimeter to VDC on a range greater than 20VDC.
• Refer to figure 4 below and Multimeter position 1 for the following three steps.
  • Connect the red probe (V) from the Multimeter to the positive array side terminal of the charge controller.
  • Connect the black probe (COM) wire from the Multimeter to the negative array side terminal of the charge controller.
  • This setup allows you to get the array side voltage, mark it down as VARRAY-SIDE.
• Refer to figure 4 below and Multimeter position 2 for the following three steps.
  • Connect the red probe (V) from the Multimeter to the positive battery side terminal of the charge controller.
  • Connect the black probe (COM) wire from the Multimeter to the negative battery side terminal of the charge controller.
  • This setup allows you to get the battery side voltage, mark it down as VBATT-SIDE.
• Disconnect the battery entirely and take a voltage reading across the battery terminals
• Take note of the result obtained and mark it down as VBATTERY.

• Verifying the current into the battery

• Set the range on your meter to 10A DC or greater.
• Remember that when use a Multimeter to read current after having used it to read voltage, the red probe on the Multimeter must be moved to the terminal meant for current reading.
• Refer to figure 5 during the rest of this section.
• While the system is in proper operation, disconnect the wire from the positive battery terminal.
• Connect the red probe (A) from the Multimeter to the loose battery side positive wire coming from the charge controller.
• Connect the black probe (COM) wire on the Multimeter to the positive battery terminal.
• This places the Multimeter in series with the rest of the circuit and it allows you to calculate the current going into your battery.
• You should expect a reading of 25% to 100% of the rated array current, depending on weather, season and location.

• Understanding the results
• Most ICP charge controllers have two charging stages at 14.2 and 13.7V. The voltage read at the terminals however can vary depending on the state-of-charge (SOC) of the battery.
• When the charge controller allows power to flow from the solar panel to the battery, VARRAY-SIDE and VBATT-SIDE will be very close in value. The value of VBATT-SIDE will be slightly lower that VARRAY-SIDE since there is a small voltage drop across the charge controller. The two values should be anywhere from 14.2 to 12V depending on the state of charge of the battery.
• For charging to occur, the value of VBATT-SIDE must be higher that VBATTERY.
• Charging can also be verified with the second test. If a positive current, within 25% to 100% of the total array current rating was obtained, then current is definitely flowing into your battery.
•  If a negative current was obtained, this signifies that the system was connected in reverse at the battery, see CL-3600 wiring troubleshooting sheet.
• If the VARRAY-SIDE and/or VBATT-SIDE are negative there is a wiring issue with the system, probably reverse polarity.
• If VARRAY-SIDE is between 17 and 24V and VBATT-SIDE is around 12V, then the charge controller has disconnected the solar array from the battery, meaning that the battery state-of-charge may be too low for the charge controller to allow charging.
• If the voltage taken from the battery, VBATTERY, is below 10.5V some charge controllers assume that the battery may be defective and to not charge. In this case, the battery should be charged using an AC charging unit to return it to a proper operating voltage, around 12V.
• If the charge controller never allows charging of a battery at good operational voltage, then the charge controller may be defective.