Specialty Concepts MARK/22 - Manual (Page 8)

MARK/(15,20,22) Note 13 - The buzzing sound is caused by the controller rapidly switching on and off and is caused by a bad battery connection
or a blown battery fuse. See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #9).
MARK/(15,20,22) Note 14 - The MARK/(15,20,22) may get warm during normal operation. When operating near maximum ratings, the front plate
gets very warm. If the unit should get too hot to touch, it may be defective. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #13).
MARK/(15,20,22) Note 15 – If the bar-graph goes off, confirm that the slide switch is set to the top position. Also, look at the battery voltage. If it
is below 10.5 volts, the bar-graph will not light.
MARK/(15,20,22) Note 16 – If the fuses continuously blow, refer to ARRAY & BATTERY FUSE section (Page 4).
Battery Fuse Removal Test - (checks operation)
This test temporarily removes the battery connection to the MARK/(15,20,22). The new voltage display will indicate if the unit is working properly. Note:
when the fuse is removed, it is normal for the front lights to both go on and to hear a faint buzzing. Remember to replace the fuse immediately after
testing.
Procedure: During a sunny period when the battery voltage is over 10 volts, remove the BATTERY fuse (bottom fuse). Note the "BATTERY VOLTAGE" reading.
Compare the reading to the options below.
• VOLTAGE READS FROM 10.0 TO 15.0 VOLTS - If the new reading is in this range, perform another step. Note the exact voltage value. Replace the fuse.
Now, again note the value. Did the value change ?
• VOLTAGE: 10 - 15V. AND CHANGES WITH FUSE REMOVAL - This is the correct reaction and the unit is working properly.
• VOLTAGE: 10 - 15V. AND READING DOES NOT CHANGE WITH FUSE REMOVAL - If the meter stays the same before and after removing the fuse, this
indicates the MARK/(15,20,22) may not be connected to the battery. See BAD CONNECTION: BATTERY (Help Note #9).
• BATTERY VOLTAGE READING IS BLANK - If the meter is blank, this means that the solar array is bad or disconnected or that the MARK/(15,20,22) is
defective. If possible, perform this step. Disconnect the array(+) connection at the MARK/(15,20,22). With a volt meter, measure the voltage of the array by
measuring the array wires where they meet the MARK/(15,20,22).
• VOLTAGE DISPLAY BLANK AND ARRAY VOLTAGE AT MARK/(15,20,22) IS ZERO - This indicates that there is a problem with the array or array
connection. See PROBLEMS WITH SOLAR PANELS (Help Note # 6) and BAD CONNECTION: PANEL (Help Note #8).
• VOLTAGE DISPLAY BLANK AND ARRAY VOLTAGE GREATER THAT 16V. - This indicates that the array is OK but the MARK/(15,20,22) has a bad
ARRAY fuse or the MARK/(15,20,22) is defective. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #13).
• VOLTAGE READING IS GREATER THAN 16.0 VOLTS - This would indicate that the MARK/(15,20,22) is defective. The meter is displaying the panel voltage,
which is usually about 16-22 volts. See CONTROLLER DEFECTIVE (Help Note #13).
SOLAR PANEL PROBLEMS: - Refer to this section to help diagnose problems based on panel performance.
CASE PANELS SEE NOTE(S)
1 → Less charge current than expected See Panel Note 1
2 → Less voltage than expected See Panel Note 2
Panel Note 1 - The panels should generate a charge close to their rated short circuit current as presented in their specifications. To reach this level assumes that
all conditions are ideal. If the panel performance as measured on the MARK/(15,20,22) controller is much lower, consider the following…
• Solar Panels Problem - Panels are dirty, not aligned or other problem. See if the "ARRAY CURRENT" reading improves after cleaning the panels and
adjusting their orientation. Locate the panel where no shadows will cross it. See PROBLEMS WITH SOLAR PANELS (Help Note #6).
• Bad Connection to the Solar Panel - See BAD CONNECTION: PANEL (Help Note #8).
• Temperature Issues – Panel performance varies with temperature (better when cold). See TEMPERATURE (Help Note #4 )
Panel Note 2 - Ideally, a disconnected solar panel should measure 18-24 volts. A lower voltage, under ideal conditions, may indicate a defective panel. See
PROBLEMS WITH SOLAR PANELS (Help Note #6). Once a solar panel is connected to a battery, the panel voltage will immediately drop down to match
the battery voltage. This Is normal.
BATTERY PROBLEMS: - Refer to this section to help diagnose problems based on battery observations.
CASE BATTERY SEE NOTE(S)
1 → Seems to be over-charging See Battery Note 1
2 → Does not fully charge batteries (or) Does not hold a charge See Battery Note 2
Battery Note 1 - BATTERY OVER-CHARGING: If there is evidence that the batteries have been over-charging, consider the following…
• Normal Battery Condition: The batteries may not be over-charging but only be experiencing normal water loss and normal levels of gassing. Check the
“BATTERY VOLTAGE” reading. Normal battery voltage for a wet cell battery can be up to 14.6 volts. See BATTERY WATER LOSS and GASSING (Help
Notes #2 and #3)
• Controller Problem: The MARK/(15,20,22) could be defective. Perform the FUSE REMOVAL TEST (Page 8). Determine if the MARK/(15,20,22) is working
properly. Check for INCORRECT VOLTAGE SET-POINT (Help Note #11)
• Batteries Need Lower Set-point: The batteries may require a lower full-charge voltage. Refer to INCORRECT VOLTAGE SET-POINT (Help Note #11).
• Other Charging Sources: Another charging source could be the cause. If the MARK/(15,20,22) is not charging, the overcharging may be from another source.
Some 110 volt battery chargers are not well regulated and could over-charge batteries if left unattended.
• A Hot Battery - Hot temperatures can affect the battery charging. A hot location for batteries will tend to over-charge the batteries. See TEMPERATURE (Help
Note #4).
Battery Note 2 - BATTERY UNDER-CHARGED: If the battery voltage is often low or the battery voltage drops fast after charging, consider the following…
• System not sized correctly - See Help Note #5. For too much usage, try charging the battery with another charging source (engine alternator, generator or
AC battery charger). If the batteries charge OK and hold the charge, an increase in the number batteries and panels may be needed to support the usage.
• Solar Panels Problem - Panel may be dirty, not aligned or other problem. See PROBLEMS WITH SOLAR PANELS (Help Note #6)
• Bad Connection – A bad connection can reduce the charge. See BAD CONNECTION: PANEL and BATTERIES (Help Notes #8 & #9)
• MARK/(15,20,22) Controller Problem - Perform the FUSE REMOVAL TEST (Page 8). Also, refer to the MARK/(15,20,22) PROBLEM section. Examine
the readings from the MARK/(15,20,22) meter to see if they indicate a problem.
• A Bad Battery - The batteries may be going bad. See PROBLEMS WITH BATTERIES (Help Note #7).
• A Cold Battery - Cold temperatures can affect the battery charging. If the battery is cold much of the time, the battery’s long-term performance and life may
suffer. See TEMPERATURE (Help Note #4).
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