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Hi my set up from northern tool has two positive and two negative battery clamps . Is this so I can connect it to two batteries?
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Hello Harleyhockeyguy and welcome to Solar Panel Talk
Without knowing exactly what you are describing will be hard to determine what the second set of battery clamps are for.
Can you provide either pictures or a model number of the equipment you are asking about? -
My Controller light is on and it says charging. But it has been going for 2 days and has not yet charged the 12 volt battery. I left a light on and the converter was whistling away the next morning. I shut it off and now after 2 days of changing on sunny days I can get a light to go on for a couple seconds but then it shuts off and the converter alarm goes off again.Did I mess something up?Comment
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Here’s what I have .Comment
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It looks like you connect the panel to the charger and then use the wire with the clamps to connect to the battery. Then that inverter looks like it uses clamps to connect to the battery which should complete your system.
My questions to you are first, what size Ah battery are you trying to charge and second is the inverter on which may be discharging your battery even if there is no load connected. Some inverters will use up toe 10% of their wattage rating just being turned on. That will both drain the battery and may prevent it from being fully charged.Comment
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That is a pretty small batter. At only 18Ah it can only safely provide maybe 75 watt hours. Also it is a little small for what a 110watt panel can charge it with.
What are the specs of that panel and CC. My guess it has a Imp approximately 6 amps which should allow you to go up to a 65Ah 12V battery. That battery will also get you over 3 times the watt hours load then your battery.Comment
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If the battery is small and the solar panel powerful shouldn’t the charging unit read charged and not charging? It should be easier/quicker to charge a smaller battery no?Comment
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Yes and No. Most FLA type batteries require a charge rate between C/12 and C/8 where C = Amp hour rating.
With an 18Ah rating that is somewhere between 1.5 & 2.25 amps so my guess is the panel may be charging the battery too fast even with that CC in place. That could damage it.
I really think the big issue is the battery is being drained by the inverter and loads way faster then it can be charged.Comment
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The issue didn’t start until I left the inverter on overnight. Before that I had power and it was all working. That’s why I’m wondering if the inverter on all night damaged itComment
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So the issue is more likely the battery than the inverter you think?Comment
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I appreciate your input. I may bring the battery inside and put it on the trickle charger and see if that charges it upComment
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