Too High Voltage

[laforge24]

We have a good working solar system when on the way !!!!!!
When in port and having shore power, of course the inverter charges the
batteries, and very correct, BUT,,,,
if during this inverter charge we have a lot of sunlight as well we have noticed
that the charging Voltage goes UP to near 16Volts !!!!
I must add that every time we hook up to shore power the inverter
does a boost charge, but even when this is finished the solar can go UP
to above mentioned Voltage??
There is nothing wrong with the solar regulator, works fine when not on shore power?
I don t know exactly what type of Batteries we have, could be GEL
coud this have something to do with this?
thanks

[Oceanride007]

You will get a lot of comment I'm sure. But first off generally Gel should not get more than 14.4V. Otherwise the gel will vent and dry out.
It could be that while the solar reg is fine normally perhaps it doesn't go down in charge current low enough to prevent the voltage from climbing when charging in parallel. Would you please measure the current flow from both Solar reg and shore charger. It could be the minimum charge is not minimum enough. I would suggest until you get this sorted disconnect the solar charge. If not Gel some AGM are more tolerant to higher voltage.

[laforge24]

Originally Posted by Oceanride007

You will get a lot of comment I'm sure. But first off generally Gel should not get more than 14.4V. Otherwise the gel will vent and dry out.
It could be that while the solar reg is fine normally perhaps it doesn't go down in charge current low enough to prevent the voltage from climbing when charging in parallel. Would you please measure the current flow from both Solar reg and shore charger. It could be the minimum charge is not minimum enough. I would suggest until you get this sorted disconnect the solar charge. If not Gel some AGM are more tolerant to higher voltage.

I agree on that last, It would mean that the solar reg. would be regulated to a higher
voltage special for these batts. But I never see them go up higher then the standard
14,4V when we are under way??
I do have to find out what batts we exactly have, I know they are closed! as well
we have a capacity in Batts. far bigger then the solar shoud/could charge !!
And we plan to add 2 panels for more autonomy, aparently the reg. is capable
to take the extra watts,
Is there an easy way to check the reg.s output without sun??

[sailorboy1]

By "boost" charge do you mean equalize? The solar panel may not be doing 16V, just that the batteries are staying there due to surface charge. What is the load on the batteries after the "boost"?

[Paul L]

Which solar regulator do you have? How many watts of solar panels do you have?

[laforge24]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

By "boost" charge do you mean equalize? The solar panel may not be doing 16V, just that the batteries are staying there due to surface charge. What is the load on the batteries after the "boost"?

No Boost is boost when batts are low sometimes need Boost, after that they get
equalisation which is continuous charge at low Amps , if not mistaken!
Without the reg> the solar would do 19to 22 so you could reg. the reg. for 16
if thats what you mean,
and they are not staying as you say, it is only when the sun hits during or after
an charge cycle from the inv,/charger!
What do you mean by load o t batt after the B

[donradcliffe]

It sounds like the solar regulator is not working. When you away from the dock there is enough electrical load to keep the voltage down, but when you have fully charged the batteries at the dock with the inverter/charger the solar panels are then overcharging them.

[laforge24]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

It sounds like the solar regulator is not working. When you away from the dock there is enough electrical load to keep the voltage down, but when you have fully charged the batteries at the dock with the inverter/charger the solar panels are then overcharging them.

Nope, even now on the dry, no consuption/users, no charge from inverter,
Batteries stay at 14.4V!

[laforge24]

The regulator not correctly regulating would be the most simple deduction,
that s why I asked if somebody knew an easy way to check the reg. without sun?

[FlyingCloud1937]

Originally Posted by laforge24

Nope, even now on the dry, no consuption/users, no charge from inverter,
Batteries stay at 14.4V!

What is the actual battery temp?

Do either the Inv/Charger or Solar Charger have temp sensors?

It would be helpful if before you ask the internet for help, that you know the brands and specs of the equipment.

Otherwise you make everybody guess, until we peel enough layers of the onion to form a real answer.

Lloyd

[phorvati]

My regulator BZ Products i think its 20M or soemthing has an internal float adjust. Its a potentiometer. Use Flathead screwdriver to turn CCW and lower float voltage. I've kept it higher then 14.4. I have four trojan AGMs Group 31 105AH. And on a sunny day if i have no loads in the summer with the potentiometer turned all the way CW, so highest float voltage, my batteries could reach > 16V. I think this is whats happening to you.
Find out if your controller has means of adjusting float voltage.

[laforge24]

Thanks Flying Cloud
Do you know How Long is a Chinese
and his cooking is fabulous, but let s stick to the question!
And questions need answers, not other questions, now I had hoped that out of
the 1000s that might read this a person would come up having had maybe
the same issue , which would make things easier, probably too easy!
I work from a simple deduction method, if it is not this, then it could be that,
and so on, adding temperature sensors on a humid boat does not seem
to be a great addition and I don t think we have those, unfortunately I suppose!
So the question remains; how can I test my regulator without proper sunlight?
You have to know that the boat is recently purchased and is now 400Nm from here!
So the next visit would allow me to do some tests, preferably without
temperature sensors, no hard feelings

[laforge24]

Originally Posted by phorvati

My regulator BZ Products i think its 20M or soemthing has an internal float adjust. Its a potentiometer. Use Flathead screwdriver to turn CCW and lower float voltage. I've kept it higher then 14.4. I have four trojan AGMs Group 31 105AH. And on a sunny day if i have no loads in the summer with the potentiometer turned all the way CW, so highest float voltage, my batteries could reach > 16V. I think this is whats happening to you.
Find out if your controller has means of adjusting float voltage.

That is helpfull info, what is the make of yours ?BZ?
and what do you mean by CCW
I bet when on the boat I donnot have the manual of the bugger, but I will dig
further into what you mentioned!
thanks

[phorvati]

Originally Posted by laforge24

That is helpfull info, what is the make of yours ?BZ?
and what do you mean by CCW
I bet when on the boat I donnot have the manual of the bugger, but I will dig
further into what you mentioned!
thanks

Potentiometer, screwdriver, CCW counter Clockwise, CW clockwise.
This one is mine:
http://www.bzproducts.net/sitebuilde...0M25binder.pdf

[FlyingCloud1937]

Originally Posted by laforge24

Thanks Flying Cloud
Do you know How Long is a Chinese
and his cooking is fabulous, but let s stick to the question!
And questions need answers, not other questions, now I had hoped that out of
the 1000s that might read this a person would come up having had maybe
the same issue , which would make things easier, probably too easy!
I work from a simple deduction method, if it is not this, then it could be that,
and so on, adding temperature sensors on a humid boat does not seem
to be a great addition and I don t think we have those, unfortunately I suppose!
So the question remains; how can I test my regulator without proper sunlight?
You have to know that the boat is recently purchased and is now 400Nm from here!
So the next visit would allow me to do some tests, preferably without
temperature sensors, no hard feelings

For FLA


Now if you have Gell Cells then it will be different. Go to your battery manufactures site and look at their recommended charging profile w/temp compensation.

Lloyd