My batteries won’t seem to charge from solar. The batteries charge fine when Inverter is connected to shore power. I am in Los Angeles if anyone has a good resource that I could take the van to diagnose. Thanks [IMG_0045] [IMG_0049] [IMG_0050] [IMG_0046] [IMG_0053]

How much PV do you have on the van ? … can you access the PV plugs / connections? 15V PV is not much … Perhaps the DC disconnector is defective … Can you measure the voltages before and after the fuse?

The PV voltage needs to be 5V higher than the battery voltage for the panel to start charging and once charging it has to stay 0.5V (or 1V I can not recall exactly) above the battery voltage. I notice in the picture what looks like the top of a pair of resettable breakers, these cheap breakers have…

The PV voltage as mentioned above needs to get to 5V above the battery voltage as mentioned above, it will then operate down to 1V above the battery voltage. if you have 2 solar panels, then these should be connected in series for the higher voltage, otherwise you should change the MPPT controller f…

Thanks for the reply, I will test the voltages before & after.

Thank you for the reply, I’ll check the voltage at the recommended locations. Can you elaborate on the breakers and also suggest alternatives? Thanks

Here is one thread on the cheap breakers as an example. I have lost count of the number of DIYers using these and reporting problems, there was another a week or so ago. Personally I use fuses but a good brand of breaker such as Blue Sea may work if you can avoid the clones. [image] …

I ordered a Blue Sea and will see if that makes a difference. Trusting it will!

So it seems the issue was the positive connection leading into the controller. These are my reading with full sunshine. Is this normal? [IMG_0280]

What are your ratings on your PV panel(s) and quantity? Series or parallel connection if multiple panels? 9w in full sunshine is terrible unless you have a 10w single PV panel.

I will get the readings tomorrow, thanks for the response.

Solar panel charge doesn't seem to be flowing to batteries...help, please

DIY

pwfarnell 12 May 2025 08:43 12

There is a panel testing guide here. The interesting test is short circuit current just on the panel alone as that will tell if the panel is OK.

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Solar panel charge doesn't seem to be flowing to batteries...help, please

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