9
change from the bulk mode to the absorb mode for example). They are also reset when the controller is powered up.
These values can be helpful in determining the performance of the charging sources.
Another submenu option is the “Start Test?” feature. To select this feature, press any button on the front panel,
scroll right or left to the Diagnostics menu, press the down button to select the “Start Test?” feature. Press the
“Up/Down” button either direction until “YES” is displayed, then press “Enter”. The controller will now enable and
disable the solenoid 5 times, using two-second intervals. During this time, the battery voltage, solar voltage, solar
amperage and turbine amperage will be displayed in an alternating and repeating pattern that allows you to see each of
these values during both the enabled and disabled state of the solenoid. As discussed above, if you have an active
solar input, you would expect to see the solar amperage at its maximum when the solenoid is disabled and at zero
when the solenoid is enabled. The voltage for the solar input should read the same as the battery voltage when the
solenoid is not enabled, but rise to the VOC of the solar panels when the solenoid is enabled.
During the test, all LEDs on the front cover will be lighted when the solenoid is enabled and off when the solenoid is
disabled. The green LED on the upper left of the main circuit board (motherboard) inside the controller will also be
cycled on and off during the test.
The turbine amperage
(see bullets below)
will not change substantially during the cycling of the solenoid since the solenoid
does not connect or disconnect the turbine input from the battery.
A few exemptions to monitor during the test:
•
If you have a large diversion load connected to the controller, then the turbine amperage may increase when
the solenoid is engaged due to the fact that the turbine will now be connected to both the battery and diversion
load, allowing more current to flow from the turbine. This is normal.
•
If the solenoid contacts are defective, then you may hear the solenoid’s coil pull in (as normal), but see no
difference in the solar amperage or solar voltage during the test. This generally indicates the normally closed
contacts of the solenoid are not actually closing and opening, but instead staying connected or disconnected.
Please note, there is a possibility that there is no active solar input, so be sure that during the time the
solenoid is not enabled, you see the VOC of the solar panels. This value is normally 1.5 – 2 times the
battery voltage.
•
Should the solenoid not enable or disable during the test, then the solenoid’s coil may be defective. There is
also the possibility that the main circuit board is not proving enough current to the solenoid. Check that the
green LED on the upper left of the motherboard is cycled on and off during the test. With a voltmeter, check
that there is at least 10 volts on the coil (top two smaller terminals) of the solenoid, when the solenoid is
engaged. (Use caution not to touch other components with your meter leads or fingers.)
•
The solenoid cannot be properly controlled if your battery voltage is very low (less than 10.5 volts). So
running a test during a low voltage condition may not render useful information.
If during the test, you determine the solenoid contacts have failed or the solenoid cannot be engaged and you have
verified that the controller is powered up with a sufficient amount of power (at least 10.5 volts) and have verified that
all solar and turbine inputs are normal, then replacing the solenoid is indicated. Refer to the Replacing the Solenoid
section in the later part of this manual for further instruction.
Resetting to factory defaults:
If for any reason you wish to start over with all configuration settings and parameters, then simply select the “Reset
Defaults?” submenu, choose “YES”, then press “Enter”. All configuration settings will be reset to the factory
defaults. This reset is also performed anytime the batteries nominal voltage (12, 24 or 48-volt) changes from the last
time the unit was powered up. This means if you change your battery bank from a 12-volt system to a 48-volt system,
then the microprocessor will automatically initiate a reset to factory defaults for the currently detected battery bank.
Summary of Contents for C440-HVAD
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