Boeing
Platinum Member
Guys, I have posted several Solar questions/comments here in the past 7 years or so but this one really has me confused. I have 4 panels on the roof; 100W each. They go to a fuse box (2) 20 AMP fuses (I think) Then, the red wire went to a Volt Meter and on to the controller. The black lead went straight to the controller. There has never been a problem or issue. The V meter showed zero at night, 12V at dawn, "up to" 14V and during "float" charge it might hit 18V for about 45 seconds on a bright day.
I noticed last week that it was showing 20 Volts....knowing that's not right I "thumped" it and it came back to 12V. OK, that's like the old analog gauges on the 727. It happened again several times. The green light on my controller started blinking indicating that it was going into "float mode" (I've read about this but it isn't clear what that means) Anyway, it continued to blink until almost dark and the voltage still showing 14ish....not normal that late in the day.
I started smelling insulation burning.....uh oh....,When it got dark the blinking green light and both yellow and red lights on the controller WENT OUT. Normally the green stays on for an hour or two then the green and yellow lights stay on indicating that I am going below the 12.8 Volts. If I get a shower (pump) and use lights long the green goes out and the yellow is the only light. If it has been cloudy for a few days it will actually go yellow AND red.....Voltage is below 12.3 or something....(I don't like to see that)
I know this is getting too long, I apologize....anyway, all lights went out and I smelt insulation. The next morning, all lights are still out and SUN is shining. (It should be showing "at least" 12 Volts and green/yellow lights on) I pulled the panel out and looked behind it.
The RED wires on both sides of the Voltmeter were burned, the POS pole of the V-meter was burned OFF!!.
This alarms me greatly as my panel is PLYWOOD, screwed to 2X4's....easily a FIRE!!!!
The Voltmeter was 7 years old, installed on day one of my solar system. Admittedly, it was an E-Bay CHINESE piece of ....well, anyway. I've only seen the cheapies and/or LED meters, also cheap, and constantly drawing current. I put a new heavy red wire in with no voltmeter and all seems OK.....but I sure miss the Voltmeter.
Comments, advice...possible causes? Thank you in advance. Rob W
I noticed last week that it was showing 20 Volts....knowing that's not right I "thumped" it and it came back to 12V. OK, that's like the old analog gauges on the 727. It happened again several times. The green light on my controller started blinking indicating that it was going into "float mode" (I've read about this but it isn't clear what that means) Anyway, it continued to blink until almost dark and the voltage still showing 14ish....not normal that late in the day.
I started smelling insulation burning.....uh oh....,When it got dark the blinking green light and both yellow and red lights on the controller WENT OUT. Normally the green stays on for an hour or two then the green and yellow lights stay on indicating that I am going below the 12.8 Volts. If I get a shower (pump) and use lights long the green goes out and the yellow is the only light. If it has been cloudy for a few days it will actually go yellow AND red.....Voltage is below 12.3 or something....(I don't like to see that)
I know this is getting too long, I apologize....anyway, all lights went out and I smelt insulation. The next morning, all lights are still out and SUN is shining. (It should be showing "at least" 12 Volts and green/yellow lights on) I pulled the panel out and looked behind it.
The RED wires on both sides of the Voltmeter were burned, the POS pole of the V-meter was burned OFF!!.
This alarms me greatly as my panel is PLYWOOD, screwed to 2X4's....easily a FIRE!!!!
The Voltmeter was 7 years old, installed on day one of my solar system. Admittedly, it was an E-Bay CHINESE piece of ....well, anyway. I've only seen the cheapies and/or LED meters, also cheap, and constantly drawing current. I put a new heavy red wire in with no voltmeter and all seems OK.....but I sure miss the Voltmeter.
Comments, advice...possible causes? Thank you in advance. Rob W