I've set up my inverter to charge at 50A, but when I measure with a clamp meter, it only shows around 1 to 2A. My inverter indicates that it's charging at 50A, and I've even seen my solar setup produce over 4000W. The batteries start charging when they're at low voltage, so I thought they could take more than 50A. Could one of the batteries be faulty, or is there another reason for this discrepancy? I could really use some help figuring this out!
3 Answers
It sounds like the current clamp you're using might only measure AC current, while your battery charges with DC. Maybe trust the inverter's reading for now. To get a true reading, consider checking the charge time from empty to full; that could give you more insight on what's going on.
You want precise measurements? Think about getting a current shunt that can be installed between your inverter and batteries. Victron makes some reliable ones that connect with an app, but there are DIY options if you're handy.
We need more details about your inverter and batteries to help troubleshoot effectively. What's happening with the voltages? If the maximum charging voltage is set too low, it might restrict the charge to just 2A.
Are you sure if you're talking about solar charging or mains charging? If it's mains, the inverter could be converting high voltage, low amperage AC into a low voltage, high amperage output. For solar, the input voltage might also be higher than what the batteries can handle, so it's crucial to clarify what you're measuring.
Good point! Just make sure your clamp can measure DC, as many only cater to AC, which could lead to misleading results.
Exactly! Even if your clamp measures DC amps, it might have limitations on the voltage and amp range. Check the specs on the packaging to be sure.