Portable solar panel output and charging

[GettinAway]

I don’t think I’m doing something right. We are in Grand Teton NP. No generator loop. I have my Renogy 200ah portable panels out. They are set to lithium. We have 2 100amp BB lithium batteries. We are on day four of ten. I’m trying to get some power back to the batteries. My portable panels are facing the sun. They are showing 14V on the portable panel controller. However, my VictronConnect Smart BMV is showing 4.26 amp charging. I don’t know how amps and volts compute. My batteries have been at 63% all morning. So I’m thinking something isn’t set right. Any suggestions?

[DKB_SATX]

Watts = volts x amps

Your Renogy panel(s) are likely 200W, so at 14v in ideal conditions they'd max out at around 14A but I don't know how ideal your other conditions are, and it's rare to get 100% output from solar.

I don't know which controller your portable panels use, but most solar charge controllers these days will let you toggle between volt and amps on the display, etc. What does the charge controller think it's putting into the batteries? And are the portable panels connected between the battery and the Victron shunt, or between the shunt and the rest of the trailer's 12v system? If the portable panel's controller is connected directly to the battery, for example, the Victron shunt won't "see" that input.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

Watts = volts x amps

Your Renogy panel(s) are likely 200W, so at 14v in ideal conditions they'd max out at around 14A but I don't know how ideal your other conditions are, and it's rare to get 100% output from solar.

I don't know which controller your portable panels use, but most solar charge controllers these days will let you toggle between volt and amps on the display, etc. What does the charge controller think it's putting into the batteries? And are the portable panels connected between the battery and the Victron shunt, or between the shunt and the rest of the trailer's 12v system? If the portable panel's controller is connected directly to the battery, for example, the Victron shunt won't "see" that input.

Here’s a pic of the controller. I switched it to amps, but it only stays for a few seconds then reverts back to volts. I am plugged into the solar connector right by the battery box. (On a 2020 25 Globetrotter) It’s a heavily shaded campsite, hence to poor power output. However, I still don’t think as much power is being sent to the batteries as I think is being produced. The smart shunt shows I’m getting 0.13 A. While the panels show I’m producing 30. I have a red flashing light on the Renogy panel, but no op manual that would let me know what that flashing light means. Maybe it just means normal operation.

[GettinAway]

FYI, my smart BMV has finally moved from 63 to 64%. Slow progress..

[Tyler2you]

Hi,

You need to check the display that pops up before the one you have pictured. When you press the Volt/Amp button, it should cycle through Battery Voltage, Charging Current, Charged Capacity (in Amp-hours), and Battery Temperature (if you have a sensor hooked up). The second value that shows the "A" is what you're looking for, not "Ah".

[jeffb831]

One other thing to consider is that the BMV is showing a net gain. Are there any loads on the system such as refrigerator, inverter, etc... that may be consuming power?

Also, the system is showing 30Ah, not 30 Amps.

What is the status of the blue light above the battery?

Finally, a manual from Renogy can be found here: https://www.renogy.com/template/file...100D-VOY20.pdf

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

One other thing to consider is that the BMV is showing a net gain. Are there any loads on the system such as refrigerator, inverter, etc... that may be consuming power?

Propane fridge. So, minor draw. Just a few lights on. Nothing else. No inverter.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

Hi,

You need to check the display that pops up before the one you have pictured. When you press the Volt/Amp button, it should cycle through Battery Voltage, Charging Current, Charged Capacity (in Amp-hours), and Battery Temperature (if you have a sensor hooked up). The second value that shows the "A" is what you're looking for, not "Ah".

Ok, cycling through I see a d1 and a d2. The A shows 0.0. Still have red light flashing. Still shows positive numbers in volts and amp hrs.

[jeffb831]

Checking the manual (p11 - 12), when the red light is flashing, it is an error condition or low-light indicator.

Is this the first time you've use the panels with the trailer? If so, do you have the polarity reverser?

[Tyler2you]

Yep, flashing red with no error code means weak solar input. The 0 amps is also a clue.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

Checking the manual (p11 - 12), when the red light is flashing, it is an error condition or low-light indicator.

Is this the first time you've use the panels with the trailer? If so, do you have the polarity reverser?

Nope, I used it before down in Big Bend NP in south TX. It worked very well. I stayed at 100% charge on a no generator loop. I have a pigtail that has the wires crossed over to reverse the polarity. This is just the first time I’ve tried using it with less than optimal sunshine. We’ve had lots of clouds, and this site has lots of trees. I left it out all day aimed south and I picked up three more percentage points to 68% charged. It looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet and just hook up to my truck and let it charge the batteries. The DC/DC charger do its deal. Frustrating as I was trying to go 10 nights without a trip to the dump station, or any charging besides my portable panels.
Thanks for looking up the red light flashing. I’m pretty sure it’s just the clouds and the trees producing the low light indicator.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Tyler2you

Yep, flashing red with no error code means weak solar input. The 0 amps is also a clue.

Thanks. I think I’m just in a less than desirable situation for solar. On the positive side, we had a blast today kayaking across String and Leah Lakes here in Grand Teton NP.

[SteveinAZ]

We have a couple of 100W Renogy panels (not their "suitcase" type, regular aluminum framed ones) and their controller, which I connect directly to the plug on the side of the battery box, so basically directly to the batteries (BB Lithiums).


When we are boondocking, I'll run the panels in addition to the two 90W that came on the roof, but I goof around and play on the app, chase the sun with the panels trying to get them as squarely aligned with the sun and see how much they can generate. I do have the panels wired in series so my voltage is higher than parallel wiring to reduce some losses.


To your cloudy conditions point...I notice a HUGE difference in charge energy with full sun vs. cloudy conditions, like 70-80% drop in charge energy, so you may be experiencing poor charging conditions now compared to your really good charging in TX.


Steve

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by SteveinAZ

We have a couple of 100W Renogy panels (not their "suitcase" type, regular aluminum framed ones) and their controller, which I connect directly to the plug on the side of the battery box, so basically directly to the batteries (BB Lithiums).


When we are boondocking, I'll run the panels in addition to the two 90W that came on the roof, but I goof around and play on the app, chase the sun with the panels trying to get them as squarely aligned with the sun and see how much they can generate. I do have the panels wired in series so my voltage is higher than parallel wiring to reduce some losses.


To your cloudy conditions point...I notice a HUGE difference in charge energy with full sun vs. cloudy conditions, like 70-80% drop in charge energy, so you may be experiencing poor charging conditions now compared to your really good charging in TX.


Steve

Thanks Steve. I tried all morning yesterday to have the panels lined up with the little bit of sun coming through the trees and clouds. Rotating and changing the angle to follow the sun helps a little. This morning we are down to 61% on the batteries (from yesterdays 68%) Still waiting this morning for some sun to reach us. A few days ago we went to visit friends in a generator allowed loop. I just don’t like the sounds of even a very quiet generator. We have a Honda 2000 at home. I’m like a former smoker when around cigarette smoke.
I’ll chase the sun around again this morning, as long as the clouds don’t come in.
Four nights done and six to go with 60% battery. I think some supplemental charging will be needed.

[gypsydad]

Sorry for your issues, but if you can't resolve, Airstream WY is located in Etna, which is about an hour past Jackson. Josh is the Service manager and perhaps they can help you out. I have been there several times since they opened last year to get advice and also get some parts. You might give him a call if trouble persists...they have done several Li and solar installs...using Battleborn. Great people. (307) 269-2205

[coasttocoast]

Add 4 more panels.

[IanPoulin]

One issue it could be is your smartshunt wiring -- By default the zamp port runs directly to the batteries and not to any internal location; did you rewire the zamp port to run through the shunt? I had this issue when I first installed my shunt; the lack of visibility from the non rewire of the zamp port led to some interesting situations such as the shunt reporting percentages in the low 40s, and after 10 minutes on a generator deciding it was really 100%.

[GettinAway]

Latest update. We are taking a morning to hang around camp. I’ve found a spot with good sun. The panel controller and VictronConnect are showing better info. I do not have the flashing red light this morning. However, I have different messages from the controller. I tried reading through the manual, I tried calling Renogy still not getting any answers. It’s not that big of a deal, but if someone knows a quick and easy fix, please let me know. Here’s the latest pics.

[davidrrand]

Looks like the panel controller is saying Full, 100%

[GettinAway]

Think the panel controller is bad. I have great sun. It’s taken the batteries from 59 to 64%, but it keeps overheating and shutting down. I’m just going to purchase another controller. I’ve been on the phone with Renogy for over an hour. I’m not sure how knowledgeable the technician is that I’m talking to.

However! Part of this problem is probably my fault. I had the controller set to Lithium Ion. It should have been LifePO4. So, I may have damaged the controller.