GoPower 100w not charging above .4 - .8

[Chewman]

I went to clean my battery terminals (2 6 volt wired in series for 12v), covered the solar panels so no light could reach them, disconnected the positive terminal wires and when I disconnected the negative terminals it sparked. I have no idea why. I cleaned the terminals, reconnected everything and my GP-PWM-30-UL now only shows a charge from the 100 watt solar panel between .4 to .8. I reconnected the wires and made sure everything was tight. No change in the charging. I went to power boost mode and it didn't make a difference. The voltage on the battery is 12.6 so it should be getting more charging power to the battery. I did a soft reset on the control panel and no change.
I would appreciate any ideas on where to start my trouble shooting.
Thank you!

[NewToTheForce]

Are you getting any reading directly from the panels with a multimeter (volts or amps)?

BTW, negatives should go on last, and come off first.

[Hclarkx]

This is with good direct sun on the 100W panel, correct?

A PWM controller does not put out a steady DC current. It puts out pulses that get wider and closer together as the power increases. Inexpensive DC current meters or even expensive ones may not read the pulses all that well (they expect a smooth, constant DC current).

Are you sure you aren't seeing 4 to 8 amps? Is the ammeter you are using DC and is it auto ranging?

The voltage from the panel will be DC and smooth so should read well with any DC voltmeter. It should be up around 20 Volts in good sun.

[Aussieguy]

Clean up the battery connection .... That main positive sure looks bad

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by Aussieguy

Clean up the battery connection .... That main positive sure looks bad

Originally Posted by Chewman

I cleaned the terminals, reconnected everything and my GP-PWM-30-UL now only shows a charge from the 100 watt solar panel between .4 to .8. I reconnected the wires and made sure everything was tight. No change in the charging.

I think he did.

[jlankford]

Are you sure the batteries are low enough to accept a charge? It might be coincidence that you're seeing lower charging current after cleaning the connections. What are the batteries' voltage with no solar input?

[Aussieguy]

boy I missed that one... 3rd word

Jlankford answer is a good one

discharge the battery down somewhat and test again.
or simply turn on some 12v loads (lights and furnace) the panel should show a bit more current

[NJKris]

The current will continue to drop as battery approaches full charge, that's the job of the controller. Try pressing and holding BOOST button for 3 seconds to put it in BOOST mode, wonder if that will make a difference. It may just increase voltage for a short while, no necessarily current if it's that full.


edit, just read your original post again, I see you tried that and saw it didn't make a difference.

[Chewman]

I watched a video that showed even if a small portion of the solar panel is blocked it can dramatically reduce the amount of charge to the battery. I made sure the entire panel did not have any shade and I received 7.2
I also watched a video that showed checking a solar panel on the roof and it sparked and started a fire. It didn't show what caused it.

To check the solar output is it really as simple as disconnecting the connectors on the roof and connecting a meter to it? I really don't want to get shocked when I'm on the roof of the trailer!

Thanks again to all for the help and suggestions!!

[jlankford]

Originally Posted by Chewman

To check the solar output is it really as simple as disconnecting the connectors on the roof and connecting a meter to it? I really don't want to get shocked when I'm on the roof of the trailer!

You could first try to make the measurement at the solar controller terminals. Remove two screws and pull the GoPower SCC out of its mounting hole to access the terminals on the back.

[GolfingDave]

Do they make a low cost clamp on ammeter for measuring less than 30 amps? Would be easier.

My clamp on is basically for starter circuits.

[TacomaJoe]

I have one from Klein Tools, CL380 but not available on Amazon now. I do see a number in the $40 range. Be sure to read the fine print and get one that does DC amps. Many are AC only.

Another option would be to install a shunt on the battery. That would give you current readings but the bonus would be that it would track the charge/discharge currents and give you a battery level reading at a glance.

[Aussieguy]

Amazon PRIME day is coming up
maybe you can get a better price next week?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dc+curren...l_12to6y1tax_e


a DC clamp meter is a bonus tool to troubleshooting 12v especially if you start getting multiple batteries and solar etc


saw this Klien 390
https://www.amazon.com/Klein-Tools-C...0616570&sr=8-6

[SuperJoe303]

Chewman: Did you get this resolved? The reason I ask is on my 2024 FR3 34DS the solar is not charging the batteries. When look at the solar controller display the solar panel voltage reads .6 volts. I have checked all the connections, even the solar panel plugs on the roof. I have not checked the output of the solar panels on the roof with a meter. I did check at the controller with a meter and the reading matched the controller.

I am not sure if there is a fuse inline between the panels and the controller. I will check the solar panel output from the roof soon. Any one else have any ideas?

[rsdata]

now only shows a charge from the 100 watt solar panel between .4 to .8. I reconnected the wires and made sure everything was tight.

I really don't want to get shocked when I'm on the roof of the trailer!

With ONE 100 watt solar panel and a 12 volt battery connection there is absolutely ZERO chance of you getting shocked with anything you now have...

[Rhumblefish]

Originally Posted by rsdata

With ONE 100 watt solar panel and a 12 volt battery connection there is absolutely ZERO chance of you getting shocked with anything you now have...

Now, if you somehow manage to get your tongue across both terminals on the 12v… That might be a little different

[jlankford]

Originally Posted by SuperJoe303

Chewman: Did you get this resolved? The reason I ask is on my 2024 FR3 34DS the solar is not charging the batteries. When look at the solar controller display the solar panel voltage reads .6 volts. I have checked all the connections, even the solar panel plugs on the roof. I have not checked the output of the solar panels on the roof with a meter. I did check at the controller with a meter and the reading matched the controller.

I am not sure if there is a fuse inline between the panels and the controller. I will check the solar panel output from the roof soon. Any one else have any ideas?

Chewman's last post described the system was working fine. He didn't fix anything, he just made sure the panel was in full sun for his measurement and he got 7.2 amps.

If your SCC only shows 0.6V panel voltage you have a connection problem somewhere you haven't located. FYI, that is basically an open-circuit voltage - my SCC displays 0.6V for my panel voltage right now, and the wires aren't even connected.
My r-pod factory installation did not have a fuse between the PV and SCC anywhere that I could locate. Don't know if yours might have a fuse. You should check in the wiring space behind where the SCC is mounted. It's possible you have an inline fuse up at the roof gland, so when you're up there measuring panel output look carefully for that - it could be mistaken for part of the MC4 connector assembly.