I've been running my solar system without issues for over 30 years, but now it's acting up. Currently, the output is reading 18.8 volts and it's only delivering 3.8 amps to my 200 amp-hour lithium battery. I've swapped out the MPPT controller for a new one, but that didn't solve the issue. My inverter/charger isn't allowing a full charge into the battery during bulk charging. I suspect the battery might be faulty, so I'm planning to replace it today. I'm really baffled and could use some insight into what might be going wrong.
2 Answers
It sounds like your system might be running at an open circuit voltage, which explains why the battery isn't drawing the full 3.8 amps. If everything's wired correctly, the controller should limit the voltage to around 14.5 volts for proper charging. It's good that you're checking all the wiring too; sometimes critters can chew through connections, causing these issues. Hope switching out the battery helps!
I faced a similar problem recently. After checking everything, it turned out that a wire was slightly damaged. Clearing out your battery box and inspecting the wiring thoroughly is a solid plan. You might find something small that’s been causing this issue.
Totally agree! I had a similar issue where a loose connection ended up being the culprit. Good luck with the checks!