Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-02-2018, 11:34 PM   #1
3 Rivet Member
 
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 144
Solar panel power drain when not producing

Hi everyone,
I just wired 120 watt Overland solar portable panels into my Blue Sky controler that controls 2- 100 watt panels on the roof. The roof system was purchased from AM solar. They said the overland system was compatible to be wired directly to the positive side of the solar controller. The system works fine and boosts the charge capacity of my 2 roof panels due to the directional flexibility of the portable system. My solar controller monitor reports the added amperage properly and the battery voltage in real time. I bypassed the Overland charge controller to utilize the Blue Sky controller so the system would be integrated. I have noticed that if I leave the portable system hooked up to the controller at night it seems to take the batteries from 12.8 v to 12.1 v. Is this a drain back and should the BS controller have drain back diodes to prevent the voltage drop. Are the diodes on the portable panel? Or the bigger question is. Am I on the right track with my thinking. Normally my batteries would be at a higher voltage after several nights of boon docking. Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank,
Ken
pkm123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2018, 10:07 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
2015 30' Classic
Pleasanton , California
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 745
You say that you noticed that when the portable panels are connected, the battery voltage drops from 12.8 to 12.1 overnight. Do you know what happens when the portable panels are not connected?

There's no reason the panels (roof or external or both) should affect the battery voltage during the night. It's unlikely that the BlueSky controller is responsible for draining your batteries. Can you measure the battery current at night to see what your typical load is during boondocking? Are you confident in the health of your battery system?
__________________
Al, K6IV
2015 30' Classic, "Chez Nu"
2014 RAM 2500 w/Cummins Diesel
ProPride Hitch, 400 W Solar
alano is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2018, 05:49 PM   #3
3 Rivet Member
 
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 144
Thanks Al,
The batteries check out. And the solar seems to be working, so I am looking for a phantom draw. Thanks for your help,
Ken
pkm123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2018, 12:19 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
2011 22' Sport
Portland , Oregon
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 657
Depending on the model of trailer, the fastest path to find phantom draws is to at least narrow it down to a circuit. Pull fuses out of the fuse panel one at a time, and then use your multi-meter to measure the amps drawn by each circuit...repeat as needed. If you want to simplify that process you could buy a "ESI 301M Fuse Buddy Mini DMM Adapter" on Amazon.
SilverHouseDreams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2018, 11:27 PM   #5
3 Rivet Member
 
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 144
Thanks for the advise. After checking the batteries, which are holding a charge with a load tester and the blue sky remote readout. With everything off wxcept for CO monitor which uses.3amps, everything seems to be working. But I will but the fuse monitor thing-a-jig. Sounds fun.
Ken
pkm123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2018, 06:42 AM   #6
JFTKSU78
 
jftompkins's Avatar
 
2017 23' Flying Cloud
Olathe , Kansas
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 127
...chasing amps; found a DC current meter

...have a Fluke multimeter; but AC current only; so found an Extech DC current only for about $70.00...to find out where the coulombs are going...and just to check periodically what is going in or out of the batteries from all those wires ie. inverter, charger, auto, solar,....or a bit tight but can check the panel circuits as well.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screen Shot 2018-06-11 at 7.32.40 AM.png
Views:	51
Size:	623.2 KB
ID:	313699  
jftompkins is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2018, 07:58 AM   #7
Half a Rivet Short
 
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle , Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,684
Hi

If you suspect the charge controller, grab a multimeter and see if it sucks current when it is powered down. The panels themselves will have zero impact on parasitic loading. They all go to zero in the dark..... If for some weird reason the new panels create an issue, your charge controller is what needs replacing. It's broke ...

Bob
uncle_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2018, 11:20 PM   #8
3 Rivet Member
 
Durango , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by uncle_bob View Post
Hi

If you suspect the charge controller, grab a multimeter and see if it sucks current when it is powered down. The panels themselves will have zero impact on parasitic loading. They all go to zero in the dark..... If for some weird reason the new panels create an issue, your charge controller is what needs replacing. It's broke ...

Bob
Thanks Bob,
Called AM Solar and the Charge Controller is working properly. I think the problem is operator error and using more power from the DC at night than I suspected. Thanks everyone for your input.
Ken
pkm123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Renogy, Am Solar, Grape Solar, Go Power what's the best or what are you running?why? ASTailgate Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 30 12-15-2021 03:00 PM
Solar Power- Pauper Power Charging Ray Eklund Boondocking 65 06-03-2020 09:07 AM
Can a portable solar panel be added to a factory solar system? larry9000 Generators & Solar Power 7 10-14-2017 04:35 PM
Solar Panel Owners: Solar Eclipse Warning!!! Ray Eklund Off Topic Forum 19 08-09-2017 08:25 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:03 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.