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06-07-2021, 02:46 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 26
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GeoPro 16BH: Solar controller connected to solar on the side got incredibly hot
So I have a Dokio 320W Solar Panel that I connected into the Solar on the Side. First time I’ve ever done this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JPH4PHG/
When I connected it I went to check to see if there was any way for me to tell if it was actually charging the battery or not. Well when I came back out and touched the Controller it was burning hot. This is maybe after 2-3 minutes. I could barely touch it. Is there something I’m down wrong?
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06-07-2021, 03:07 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BackcountryCamp
So I have a Dokio 320W Solar Panel that I connected into the Solar on the Side. First time I’ve ever done this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JPH4PHG/
When I connected it I went to check to see if there was any way for me to tell if it was actually charging the battery or not. Well when I came back out and touched the Controller it was burning hot. This is maybe after 2-3 minutes. I could barely touch it. Is there something I’m down wrong? |
Edited: Okay, with my glasses on, I see it is a package. My guess was it wasn't connected to the battery. If it it is not fried, connect it directly to the battery. Presumably it should work if it isn't fried. You always connect the controller to the battery first, then the panel to the controller.
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06-07-2021, 03:13 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 26
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The controller came with the panel. So I’d have to imagine that’s ok. Max amount output is 20amps I believe. Here it is plugged in.
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06-07-2021, 03:33 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,549
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Sorry, see my edited first post above. Always hook up the controller to the battery first, otherwise the controller will burn out. If you hook up the panel first, make sure it is covered and not getting light.
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06-07-2021, 03:34 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine
Sorry, see my edited first post. Always hook up the controller to the battery first, otherwise the controller will burn out. If you hook up the panel first, make sure it is covered and not getting light.
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So you’re saying plug into the side first. Then plug the controller into the panel? Thanks for the help!
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06-07-2021, 04:01 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,549
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BackcountryCamp
So you’re saying plug into the side first. Then plug the controller into the panel? Thanks for the help!
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If your side solar port is actually connected to your battery, then yes.
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06-07-2021, 04:18 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,549
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I should have added the caveat that not all of those side ports are actually already hooked to the battery. Check with a multimeter to verify.
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06-07-2021, 05:10 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 26
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Checked with a voltometer in the ports. I did get a reading so that’s good. I’ll give the controller a try tomorrow!
Do you by chance how to tell if the port is actually charging the batteries? Is there some way to test that?
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06-07-2021, 05:17 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BackcountryCamp
Checked with a voltometer in the ports. I did get a reading so that’s good. I’ll give the controller a try tomorrow!
Do you by chance how to tell if the port is actually charging the batteries? Is there some way to test that?
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Check battery voltage before and after connecting. Charging voltage will be noticeably higher, in the 13-14 range.
__________________
2016 FR Forester 2401R
Towing 2014 Honda CR-V
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06-08-2021, 09:51 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 742
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If you are worried about your batteries enough to get a solar panels then you should be worried enough to have a shunt installed on your batteries. That would show you current in\out and you could tell what the panels are actually putting into your system
__________________
2021 Flagstaff 21DS
2015 Silverado 2500HD (overkill but convenient)
Renogy bits: 3000W Inverter/Charger, 400Ah LiFePo4, 40A DC-to-DC
Rich Solar bits: 400W of panels, 40A MPPT
Misc bits: LevelMatePro+, SolidRemote based wireless controlled LED storage lighting
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06-08-2021, 01:33 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,549
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A good battery monitor is a good thing to have. My first few years I just relied on the multimeter and (or) what the charge controller showed me. Most solar charge controllers give you an indication how many amps are going into your battery as well as the voltage.
Is your charge controller still working? It should show amps and if the system is working it will show a variance as a cloud passes by. Good luck.
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06-08-2021, 01:41 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 26
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So I realized after taking my multimeter out to test the ports that the polarity is different than I thought. Luckily I had a SAE polarity reverse adapter. This time I plugged the controller into the port FIRST. I was immediately getting a reading (14V or so).
My question is, should I be getting voltage on the controller plugging INTO the port? Keep in mind at this point I did not yet have the solar panel plugged in.
Thank you all so much for your help here.
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06-17-2021, 09:11 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 212
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Solar controller
I installed a 2 pole switch, shuts off panel voltage and to battery, can’t go wrong, in storage the solar controller will drain your batteries
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