Owner’s Manual | GP-PWM-25 Regulator
12
© 2009 Carmanah Technologies Corporation
Last revised July 2009
8.3 Problems with Current
Current Reading: 0 A
Time of Day: Daytime, clear sunny skies
Possible Cause:
(1) Current is being limited below 1 Amp as per normal operation.
(2) Poor connection between solar array and regulator
How to tell:
(1) The State of Charge (SOC) screen is close to 100% and the Sun and Battery icon are present with an arrow between.
(2) With the solar array in sunlight, check the voltage at the regulator solar array terminals with a voltmeter. If there is no
reading at the regulator solar array terminals, the problem is somewhere in the wiring from the solar array to the
regulator.
Remedy:
(2) Check all connections from the regulator to the array including checking for correct wire polarity. Check that all
connections are clean, tight, and secure.
Continue with the solutions below for additional help on low current readings.
Current Reading: Less than expected
Time of Day: Daytime, clear sunny skies
Possible Cause:
(1) Current is being limited below 1 Amp as per normal operation
(2) Incorrect series/parallel configuration and/or wiring connections and/or wire gauge.
(3) Dirty or shaded module or lack of sun.
(4) Blown diode in solar module when two or more modules are connected in parallel.
How to tell:
(1) Battery State of Charge screen is close to 100% and the Sun and Battery icon are present with an arrow in between.
(2) Check that the modules and batteries are configured correctly. Check all wiring connections.
(3) Modules look dirty, overhead object is shading modules or it is an overcast day in which a shadow cannot be cast.
Note: Avoid any shading no matter how small. An object as small as a broomstick held across the solar module may
cause the power output to be cut to almost nil. Overcast days may also cut the power output of the module to almost
nil.
(4) Disconnect one or both array wires from the regulator. Take a voltage reading between the positive and negative
array wire. A single 12 volt module should have an open circuit voltage between 17 and 22 volts (double these
numbers for a 24 volt system). If you have more than one solar module, you will need to conduct this test between
the positive and negative terminals of each module junction box with either the positive or negative wires
disconnected from the terminal.
Remedy:
(2) Reconnect in correct configuration. Tighten all connections. Check wire gauge and length of wire run. Refer to
Suggested Minimum Wire Gauge in Section 5.
(3) Clean modules, clear obstruction or wait for conditions to clear.
(4) If the open circuit voltage of a non-connected 12 volt module is lower than the manufacturer’s specifications, the
module may be faulty. Check for blown diodes in the solar module junction box, which may be shorting the power
output of module.
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