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Im having issues with my system. Im not sure if its the charge controller, or the way I'm using it.
PV Array Configuration:
Modules In series: 4 in series
Modules In Parallel/Strings: 2 sets of 4 in series
Module VOC : 21.45
Module ISC: 6.09
Batteries:
Eight Exide deep cycle batteries. 850 MCA each, 114 AH each.
Two sets of four in parallel.
One set is 2 years old. One set is 3 years old.
Batteries are packed in a wooden container, inside a garage. Not much spare room.
All wiring is 2 AWG.
Outback Flex80 charge controller.
Used default values for lead acid batteries.
2500/3500 Watt inverter.
Loads consist of a small refrigerator (180 watts) and total of 10 LED lights.
The system is pretty oversized for the loads. Itshould work without breaking a sweat.
This is installed on a remote cabin that is used every month or so.
When not in use, the inverter is turned off. The charge controller is just keeping charge on the batteries.
I went up there Dec 28 ( winter in northern Wisconsin). Temp near zero.
The batteries were at 11.6 volts, and would not even run a CPAP (night time breathing) machine all night long without the inverter shutting off.
The FlexMax80 logging showed
Solar panel output of over 80 volts for the past 9 days.
Max amps between 0.3 and 12.2.
Several days show 0.0 kWH regardless of the voltage or current.
Output voltage bumping around 11 volts minimum for the last few days. Max of 12.0
Several of the batteries had ice on the top of the cell (1/8 inch).
Three batteries has one or more cells that were iced over.
I brought the batteries home to see what kind of damage was done.
Couple of questions:
PV Array Configuration:
Modules In series: 4 in series
Modules In Parallel/Strings: 2 sets of 4 in series
Module VOC : 21.45
Module ISC: 6.09
Batteries:
Eight Exide deep cycle batteries. 850 MCA each, 114 AH each.
Two sets of four in parallel.
One set is 2 years old. One set is 3 years old.
Batteries are packed in a wooden container, inside a garage. Not much spare room.
All wiring is 2 AWG.
Outback Flex80 charge controller.
Used default values for lead acid batteries.
2500/3500 Watt inverter.
Loads consist of a small refrigerator (180 watts) and total of 10 LED lights.
The system is pretty oversized for the loads. Itshould work without breaking a sweat.
This is installed on a remote cabin that is used every month or so.
When not in use, the inverter is turned off. The charge controller is just keeping charge on the batteries.
I went up there Dec 28 ( winter in northern Wisconsin). Temp near zero.
The batteries were at 11.6 volts, and would not even run a CPAP (night time breathing) machine all night long without the inverter shutting off.
The FlexMax80 logging showed
Solar panel output of over 80 volts for the past 9 days.
Max amps between 0.3 and 12.2.
Several days show 0.0 kWH regardless of the voltage or current.
Output voltage bumping around 11 volts minimum for the last few days. Max of 12.0
Several of the batteries had ice on the top of the cell (1/8 inch).
Three batteries has one or more cells that were iced over.
I brought the batteries home to see what kind of damage was done.
Couple of questions:
- Is it a bad idea to leave the batteries connected to the controller for 2 months with no load?2.
- Shouldn't the controller have kept these batteries at FULL charge?
- Should a battery freeze with somewhat of a charge?
- Anything wrong with running parallel sets of batteries?
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