Just noticed my lead-acid battery bank was at a worryingly high voltage, 16.5V
Has another PWM5 charge controller failed?
Has another PWM5 charge controller failed?
By Julian
Youtuber, shed dweller, solar charge controller aficionado
You've likely rectified this fault by now but for future reference, you might like to add a buzzer to the system to alert you of any over voltage. Poor lil batteries, I actually feel for them! Lol =P
I presume you have got yourself a nice dead cat for your microphone by now, haven't you?
My ears! my ears!
I saw that you have the SLA batteries under your panel. Question. Doesn't the heat from the day and the sun light shorten the life?
Fucking wind dudde i cant listen to this
Julian, As someone that is an electronics Enthusiast, have you checked for any DC Ripple that might account for the issues that these units have? i would also Encourage a PVC Housing thats capable of housing all three Units. Using Grommets to help avoid Moisture. Getting into the units.
Good time for a DIY PWM5 tutorial :))
Did anyone ever told yo never disconnect the panel(s) / arrays connectors during daytime ( or with any sunlight on the panels ) , or day light ? or with any active load on them , to prevent high voltage arcing ? or general arcing ?
and why in the Lords name you use An aluminum bar (with so high resistance) to be used as power rail ??, Use Copper (but yes High humidity 😛 )
also everything is oxidized and you are expecting something like this to work ? (properly ?)
this is a terrible setup … I suggest you to consider something water proof , water resistant and Humidity free !! and We haven't gone to the batteries yet …… and no fuses what so ever … shown …. ,and none in view proper mechanical Isolators ..
Good luck
what are they potted with? I think on one video you said hot glue. Maybe need an epoxy resin or some a silicone based based product??
GET proper MPPT solar charge controller's !!! And move your stuff inside!!
Julian, "The faults are always in the field wiring". Your field wiring is outrageous. I'm going to have to go for a lie down
no wonder why its failed .. they are rusty .. means they got wet … .. you should put those in an airtight box instead directly in the rain
hay Julian what are those strip metal connect to batteries terminals.
Put grease in your outdoor block connectors to prevent them rusting 🙂 . Not spray-on grease or WD40 but thick grease for bearings, it's messy but works!
The batteries and controllers are outside exposed to the elements. How do you think they will fare? Look at the oxidation on the connector block… I know they are under a cover but still! It's England. It's moist!
Get a good controller get the batteries inside…. Don't short panels and let the diodes sort the problem out for long periods of time. Pulse width modulation? Why? MPPT is the way to go.
I like the shrinkwrap look, but I'd rather the top was folded over so there wouldn't be a puddle sitting there all the time, and all wiring coming through the bottom. Could even put a string hanger or some such through the fold to increase the odds of people mounting it the right way up.