Solar not working

[SteveCr]

Hello SNY SD UP,

I recently picked hull 806 and I'm also learning the Zamp controller. I have a 30 amp controller with 3 lithium batteries.

From the pictures you provided, it seems as if your controller is performing the same as mine. Mine is performing as it should.

One of the things I am working to get my hands around is the amount of Amp Hours I have stored in the batteries at any given time vs the number of AH I am using. Here is a link to a decent article:  https://www.rvwithtito.com/articles/battery-capacity/. It may be that you are consuming AH at a rate that will not allow the batteries to fully charge.

So, when on batteries I look to understand what is drawing amps and how to conserve those amps. You obviously know if you have lights on, using the AC or microwave or hair dryer...but there may be other items to check. For example, check the water heater to insure the outside breaker is off.

I hope I can get to the point that I can estimate accurately how to "budget" my daily amp draw vs the total AH produced/stored. I don't have a generator...yet....but never say never.

While on the road, my batteries were never fully charged off the solar because of the amps I was drawing at the same time. Upon returning home this week, I left the Maxair attic fan running ...all else off.....and the controller indicated the batteries fully charged during the next day.

Hope my gibberish helps,

Steve

[SNY SD UP]

SteveCr, thanks, i will look into that.

we have (4) AGM BATTS and the 340 Watt Solar Package.

we are power misers, AC & Heat when attached to Shore 30a.  Blankets & overhead fan are cheaper and easier quieter.  do not use many lights on, old habits are hard to shake. 

right now i am beginning to think this may something to do with Batts rather than Solar/ZAMP or a combo of both.  i have not opened a ticket yet, but may, depending upon answers to questions i have.  i just do not know yet.  Even though the (2) breakers under s/s bed next to pantry did not appear to be tripped. 

Before the trip/reset after a good sunny solar day, Batt Icon would show 1/2-1/4, since i tripped/reset them, things have improved, Batt Icon showed 3/4 yesterday afternoon. We were able to make it thru last night without having the Xantrex alarm/red lights go off and shutdown, or have the refrig get error codes L or C, and shutdown.  Batts were at 1/4 this morning (0630-0700) when ZAMP woke up and started its magic.  Batts showed 3/4  this afternoon.  so we will see what tonight & tomorrow morning brings.

 

Regards Bryan,

 

[thompsonkd]

We are currently Boondocking-last night the entire 12 volt system quit. This morning, when the sun came up, the Zamp controller came on with an error code of 601. We have 3 100 amp Battleborn. Yesterday, it seemed that we were not charging well with solar, but I assumed it was shade. Regardless, last night, Victron battery app showed 77% battery capacity. I am going to run our generator to see what happens. Any ideas about troubleshooting?

[thompsonkd]

We plugged Oliver into our generator and everything works-Zamp controller, Progressive converter, all 12 volt systems came on with the generator. Last night the Victron battery app indicated 77%; around 3 o’clock every thing went dead-all 12 volt systems were down. The only large draw was the fridge, but it was on propane. We are going to fully charge the batteries and see what happens. Any ideas? 

[Rivernerd]

42 minutes ago, thompsonkd said:

Any ideas? 

As the issue seems to be 12V, what kind of batteries do you have?  How old are they?  Have you tested battery voltage with a multimeter?

[jd1923]

38 minutes ago, thompsonkd said:

Any ideas?

Battery cables good and tight? Main battery fuse blown? Our older hull has a 40A circuit breaker for all 12VDC.

If the main battery fuse is blown or circuit breaker popped, you will need to determine cause. As @Rivernerd suggested test battery voltage and test each of your 3 batteries separately (cables disconnected). A bad battery cell could trip the breaker or blow the fuse.

If battery cables go to inverter first and then to the breaker and 12VDC fuse panel, the inverter could have failed.

Your generator will supply the 12VDC system through the converter with the batteries disconnected. 

[thompsonkd]

I ran the generator and batteries topped off at 13.3 before I had to shut off the generator because of where we are camped. We have 3 Battleborn 100 amp lithium. While the generator was running, converter was working (fan was running) charging the batteries. Normally I would run the generator until the surge protector readout went to 2 amps indicating that batteries were fully topped off, but couldn’t, so will do that this evening. The Zamp Solar controller seems to indicate incoming solar at this point. I checked the 12 volt fuse under the street side bed and it had not tripped. I tripped and reset it to see if that helped. You indicated a 40 amp circuit breaker? -where would that be? I will check the battery cables next. Thank you very much for your help. This forum and the people that contribute to it is invaluable! 

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, thompsonkd said:

You indicated a 40 amp circuit breaker? -where would that be?

Look under streetside bed. Ours was in the wheel well next to a positive bus.