Specialty Concepts ASC-Plus - Manual (Page 15)

TROUBLE SHOOTING
The following section can assist in the troubleshooting of a solar system. Please review
the section below titled “HELP NOTES” which lists some common problems with a
solar system.
•
ASC-Plus Charge Controller: - If a possible problem is suspected based on the
observations of the ASC-Plus controller, refer to the chart titled ASC-Plus
PROBLEMS CHART and the “Case Note” for each condition on the following
pages.
•
Battery: - If you feel your batteries are not being adequately charged or are
consistently being over-charged, refer to the section BATTERY PROBLEMS.
•
Solar Panels: - If you feel that the solar panels are not performing adequately,
refer to the section SOLAR PANEL PROBLEMS. You may be asked to perform
a test using a voltage multi-meter to assist with the diagnosis.
HELP NOTES:
(Normal Conditions and Common Problems)
NORMAL CONDITIONS:
1. NORMAL OPERATION: CHARGING / NOT CHARGING - Depending on your system, the
ASC-Plus may go for long periods of constant charging or long periods with no charging. The
ASC-Plus is designed to prevent over-charging of the battery. It does this by stopping the
charging at about 14.3 volts. It will then turn the solar panel off. Charging will resume when
the battery voltage drops to about 13.5 volts. If the battery is fully charged, additional charging
may not be needed. If the charge current is not strong enough to over-charge the battery, the
controller may not turn the panel charging off.
2. BATTERY WATER LOSS - Vented batteries will need some water from time to time in the
natural course of events. Minor water loss is not a problem, just top the level up when needed.
Excessive water loss (a quart or more in a period of a month) may indicate a more serious
problem.
3. BATTERY GASSING - In vented batteries, some gassing is good. Gassing stirs up the battery
acid and allows the battery to fully charge. A little bubbling in the batteries is not necessarily a
problem. See BATTERY WATER LOSS above.
4. TEMPERATURE - Temperature can affect the performance of batteries. They will tend to
over-charge easier when hot, and will not have as much capacity when cold. On units with
temperature compensation (Option-A), the charge set-point will be higher in cold weather and
lower in hot weather. The variation is about .5 volts for every 30
°
from 75
°
F. See OPTIONS
section, Table 1: VOLTAGE SET-POINTS BY TEMPERATURE.