Troubleshooting a solar pv system below i will describe basic steps in troubleshooting a pv array.
Solar panel voltage drop when connected to load.
I have a blue sea systems 5026 blade fuse block that i will connect to my batteries and use as a 12 volt fuse box to run my 12 volt lighting system and 12 volt water pump for my shower.
Voltage at open circuit voc this is the voltage that is read with a voltmeter or multimeter when the module is not connected to any load.
You would expect to see this number listed on a pv module s specification sheet and sticker.
We have solar panels connected in parallel.
If i connect it to a load no current.
This article describes how you can troubleshoot a solar system in basic steps.
A panel can only put out so many amps so while the voltage is reduced from say 33 volts to 13 6 volts the amps from the panel cannot go higher than the rated amps so with a 175 watt panel rated at 23 volts 7 6 amps you will only get 7 6 amps 12 volts or so into the battery.
I have a 5w solar panel which shows about 20v open circuit voltage.
Voltage drop outs can occur on a solar pv system when the incoming grid voltage exceeds 253v solar inverters have to shut down if this happens causing your system to stop generating i had this problem and solved it with an eco box here is a link to the site www thevascogroup co uk i have my system externally monitored and after installing this box my system is now producing about 14 more.
The voltage drops to almost zero as soon as i introduce a 2 9 ohm load.
Open circuit voltage can vary depending on your solar panel but the readings we are usually looking for are in the range of 15 to 23v.
Some exceptions may apply based on panel type.
Common issues are zero power and low voltage output.
Voltage between solar panels and the charge controller when the charge controller connected.
I understand the solar panel connection and the battery connection but i do not understand the load connection on the prostar charge controller.
Solar charge controller load output explained at sunstore we are often asked about how the solar charge controller load output terminal should be used.
Quality solar panels are built and guaranteed to produce power for 25 years for that reason it s most likely that a problem is caused by a defect in system.
It is a closed circuit and its resistance that causes the voltage to drop.
Simply touch the solar panel leads with the multi meter probes matching their corresponding polarity red to red black to black.
I can not detect any.
Voltage on the wire from the solar panels with nothing at the end no charge controller no batteries.