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Search took 0.00 seconds. Search: Posts Made By: Paul Elliott
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 10-02-2016, 18:35
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

I think you will find that there was *some* current flowing in your broken panel, just not very much. I mean microamps or a few milliamps, instead of amps. In this case the OP was measuring exactly...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 09-02-2016, 08:39
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

You're right, my mistake. I linked to the wrong meter. I have the Fluke 376, or one just like it. Here's a link: Fluke 376 Clamp Meter (https://www.myflukestore.com/p8231/fluke_376.php)
This one...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 08-02-2016, 21:26
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

No, there are DC/AC clamp-meters -- I've got a couple myself. They use Hall-effect sensors. Here are the ones I currently have:

($360) - Fluke 376 Clamp Meter...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 08-02-2016, 20:50
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

But clamp meters are wonderful for in-use panel testing. Clamp meters also can measure higher currents than the typical multimeter. If your panels put out more than the multimeter can handle then a...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 18:17
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

Yes, with multiple panels having more than one MPPT controller can help with shading problems.

When looking at small differences in voltage you have to make sure that the panel loading remains...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 17:35
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

#10 wire shouldn't be a problem. If you have two of your 50W panels at the end of a 20-ft pair of wires (40 ft total), the voltage drop will be under 0.3 Volt. That's a little over 2% drop -- could...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 14:53
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

That's probably a 10A fuse. Replacing that should do the trick. Make sure you don't overload it though. The specs on the panel you included in the original post showed a Short-Circuit Current...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 14:26
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

Rolf, there are usually two fuses in a multimeter: a small one for the low-current ranges, and a bigger one for the high-current range. Make sure the big one is OK. That's my best guess at the...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 13:56
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

If your meter is operating as an AMMETER, then yes, you will get sparks if you put the probes across a battery or solar panel. With a battery, there will be a big spark, or perhaps no visible spark...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 12:11
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

While we wait for more feedback from Rolf, let me toss out a few ideas:

The panel is not connected to the battery, because the voltage is measured at 20V. This is a disconnected or unloaded...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 10:22
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

If Rolf had been measuring around 20V voltage at the panel, and then kept his connections to the panel as-is while he switched to meter to measure amps, then his meter *is* in the circuit and should...
Forum: Electrical: Batteries, Generators & Solar 14-12-2015, 09:35
Replies: 50
Views: 5,986
Posted By Paul Elliott
Re: Solar Multimeter Testing

It looks like you're doing it right. If you are just measuring the panel by itself (the panel has a 3A short-circuit current) then the meter should be able to handle it.

But, it's not uncommon...
Showing results 1 to 12 of 12

 
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