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Page16
PV7-PV14 manual.doc
Flexcharge
TM
CHARGE CONTROLLER TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
IF YOU ARE USING CRIMP ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS IN YOUR SYSTEM WIRING, THEY SHOULD
HAVE BEEN SOLDERED, OR TREATED WITH AN ANTI-OXIDIZING COMPOUND.
WITHOUT THESE
STEPS CRIMP CONNECTIONS WILL ONLY MAKE
GOOD
CONNECTION FOR A SORT PERIOD OF
TIME,
ESPECIALLY IN A MARINE OR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT.
PROBLEM
SOLUTIONS
CONTROLLER IS NOT
CHARGING WHEN
THE PANEL IS
MAKING POWER
Or
CHARGE INDICATOR
IS PULSING EVERY
SECOND OR SO
1.
Check the fuse. If necessary, replace it with an 8A fuse for the PV7, or a 15A fuse
for the PV14. Never install a fuse larger than these ratings. The controller could be
damaged.
2.
Check the fuse and wire connections between the controller and the battery. A poor
connection here will cause this symptom.
3.
If you connected the regulator to your battery selector switch, make sure the switch
is NEVER in the OFF position.
Just as your engine alternator cannot be run when
the battery switch which is turned OFF, neither can most solar charge regulators.
THE CHARGING
LIGHT IS OFF WHEN
THE SOLAR PANEL IS
MAKING POWER
If the battery is being charged by another charging source (i.e. alternator, shore battery
charger or wind generator) the battery may be near its peak voltage. In these
circumstances the controller is sensing that battery does not need the charging current
from the solar panels and the light will be OFF. If however the battery voltage is below
13.6V (27.2V on 24V systems) and the solar panel is making power, the controller's
charge light should be ON. Check the wire connections between the solar panels and
the controller.
THE SOLAR PANEL'S
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
DROPS TO ALMOST
THE SAME AS THE
BATTERY VOLTAGE
WHEN IT IS
CHARGING
THIS IS NORMAL. Except for voltage differences caused by losses in the wiring, the
voltage in the charging system will always be the same no mater where you measure it.
When the panel’s positive wire is disconnected from the controller its voltage can then
rise to its natural open circuit voltage for solar panels of 16V to 22V (For 12V Systems).
NOTE: The battery voltage will not instantly come up to 14.3V when it is being charged
unless the charging source has enough charging current capacity (50 amps or so) to
push them there very quickly. You will usually see a slowly rising voltage dependent on
the amount of charging current generated by your solar panel(s).
THE SOLAR PANEL
VOLTAGE MEASURES
NEARLY ZERO VOLTS
WHEN IT SEEMS IT
SHOULD BE
CHARGING
THIS IS NORMAL IF THE CHARGE INDICATOR LED IS OFF, AND THE BATTERY
VOLTAGE IS ABOVE 13.6V, (27.2V on 24V systems) after the batteries have reached
the disconnect voltage.
The Solar Panel’s Voltage will cycle between near battery voltage and zero volts with the
charge indicator light. See "Energy State Charge Process" for and explanation of the
charge regulation process.
When the light is ON the Solar panel voltage will be about the same as the battery
voltage. When it's OFF it will be near zero volts.
