I'm new to solar power stuff but pretty handy with DIY projects. I have a Renogy portable solar system that I use at events. After putting it in storage for a few months, I can't get it to power anything; the only power I get is from the battery itself. I've checked all the connections and done the usual troubleshooting, but still no luck—my battery monitor LCD screen won't even turn on. I can't find my multimeter right now, but I'm thinking the battery might be too low to power the system. Any suggestions on what I should try next? I have a 40 amp charge controller and a 1000 watt inverter in my setup.
3 Answers
Have you tried the classic turn-it-off-and-on-again? Sometimes just restarting the system can help it reset and get things running again. But if that doesn't work, definitely get a multimeter to check for any issues. Knowing the unit model might also help in troubleshooting further!
It sounds like you're in a bit of a bind without a multimeter. Given that you've had the system in storage, it's likely the battery could be dead. First thing's first: you really need to get a meter to check the battery voltage. Once you do that, you'll know if it's a battery issue or something else. A dead battery is a common culprit in these situations!
Step one: definitely get a multimeter. You need to find out what's going on with the battery. It might be simpler than you think—just a battery issue, or maybe something with the inverter. Once you know the battery’s state, you can take the next steps to fix whatever's wrong. Good luck!
Yeah, I hear you! I’ve got a few multimeters lying around too and can never find them. Just grab a new one if you can—it'll help a ton in diagnosing the issue.