Specialty Concepts PPC - Manual (Page 16)

P R O B L E M D E S C R I P T I O N S
BATTERY UNDER CHARGED
CONTROLLER NOT CHARGING AT ALL, ALWAYS IN THE FLOAT MODE ("CHARGE
MODE" LIGHT OFF)
Check to see that the controller is receiving voltage (at least about nominal system voltage) from
the battery and the solar panels. If it is, momentarily disconnect and reconnect the panels,
using an array disconnect switch (if included with your system). The controller should reset
into the full charge mode ("CHARGE MODE" light on). If it does not reset, the controller may
be defective.
See General Note #8 above. A damaged sensor or wire will cause the controller to malfunction.
CONTROLLER STOPS CHARGING TOO SOON, AT TOO LOW A VOLTAGE
See General Note #6 above: Try to monitor the voltage at the "BATTERY SENSE" terminals
when the controller actually switches. Most often, when a controller is operational, it is
switching the correct voltage. If the battery is not reaching the charge termination set-point
voltage before the controller switches, it is usually an error in the voltage that the controller is
sensing, not a controller failure.
See General Notes #12 and 14 above: A poor connection between the battery and the controller
results in a voltage drop during charging periods (larger drop for higher current) that
disappears when charging stops. This voltage drop results in a higher voltage being sensed at
the controller than is actually at the battery.
CONTROLLER CLICKS AND CHATTERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MORNING AND EVENING
See General Notes #12 and 14 above: Check the connection to the battery. A poor connection at
the battery will cause the relay to chatter under low light conditions and the controller to
remain in float mode during full sun.
CONTROLLER NOT CHARGING, "CHARGE MODE" LIGHT DIM, BATTERY VOLTAGE VERY
LOW
See LVD trouble shooting section (below). If the LVD circuit is not operating, the battery can be
discharged to a very low voltage. If the battery is extremely low, there might not be enough
voltage to operate the controller. The charging relay requires a minimum operating voltage to
engage and allow charging. If the battery is down to 9 volts or lower on a 12 volt system, (17
on a 24 volt) connect the battery directly to the array (or use an auxiliary charging source)
until sufficient charging has occurred to increase the voltage.
Note: Battery life depends on the number, time and the depth of the discharges. Severe
battery damage can result when batteries are deeply discharged and not recharged
immediately.
"CHARGE MODE" LIGHT ON AT NIGHT
Review the "REVERSE CURRENT PROTECTION" and "POWER CONNECT SEQUENCE"
sections of this manual. The reverse leakage timer may cause the "Charge Mode" light to be
on for a few hours each evening. Also, the light will stay on during the night of the first day of