GP-PWM-30-DL and GP-PWM-30-FM-DL Trouble shooting Steps
No Power to LCD Screen
Solution 1
Check the connection between the Battery and the controller, and the controller and the battery. The solar controller requires power from the battery in order for it to operate (9-14.9 volts) . The first step in troubleshooting any solar controller is to determine if you have 12 volts to the controller. This is done by measuring the input from the battery on the back of the controller. If the battery voltage is below 9 volts it will not power the controller. Check the inline fuse between the battery and the controller and your battery and terminal block connections on the controller.
Solution 2
Your battery may be discharged too far to accommodate the controller. It may require charging the battery from an alternate source like a battery charger to get the battery to a voltage that the controller can then start to add current to. again.
Solution
This is an Overvoltage Error. This behavior is usually the controller dealing with a very high current or voltage rate (Above 15.5 volts). Even though the controller can handle up to 30A, if the battery capacity is too small for the solar panel input current. The voltage shoots up too high, too quickly, tripping the high voltage flashing.
It could start up all of a sudden because of increased sun conditions or a change in your battery bank.
Cover one or part of a panel to see if this stops the flashing from occurring
If the problem was “fixed,” then it may be because the user started using loads which divert some of the input current, because the panels became dusty or shaded, or because there was less sunlight.
Ideally, the user should increase their battery bank capacity.
The other possibility is an unregulated converter or alternator in the system that is putting current to the batteries at the same time. The solution here is to unplug shore power and reset the controller. The controller can be reset in two ways:
If the problem occurs with Lithium batteries, try the sealed charge profile. If the battery BMS has opened its charge switch and is not allowing charge to the battery, then an over voltage error can occur. Try a lower profile or a custom profile where a specific voltage can be applied to the battery to prevent the error from occurring.
Solution
This is an Over Discharge Error. The battery voltage is too low, or battery voltage is not getting to the controller.
The solar controller requires power from the battery in order for it to operate (9-14.9 volts). The first step in troubleshooting any solar controller is to determine if you have 12 volts to the controller. This is done by measuring the input from the battery on the back of the controller. If the battery voltage is below 9 volts, it will not power the controller. Check the inline fuse between the battery and the controller and your battery and terminal block connections on the controller.
Display Reading: Blank
Time of Day: Daytime/Nighttime
Possible Causes:
Battery or fuse connection and/or solar panel connection (Daytime only) or battery or fuse connection (Nighttime only).
Remedy:
Check all connections from the controller to the battery, including checking for correct wire polarity. Check that all connections are
clean, tight, and secure. Ensure the battery voltage is above 8 volts.
Further Steps (if required):
Check the voltage at the controller battery terminals with a voltmeter and compare with a voltage reading at the battery terminals.
If there is no voltage reading at the controller battery terminals, the problem could be a fuse, or the wiring between the battery and
the controller. If the battery voltage is lower than 8 volts, the controller will not function. For the solar panel, repeat steps 1 and 2
substituting all battery terminals with solar panel terminals.
Problems with Current
Controller does not charge batteries/Controller shows "0.0" amps charging
Solution
Troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure batteries are not full; charging amps will drop to near zero if batteries are full (meter behind the batteries, do not trust the display from the controller). In other words, if the battery is full the controller will not put current to them.
- Modules look dirty, overhead object is shading modules or if it is an overcast day in which a shadow cannot be cast.
Avoid any shading no matter how small it is. An object as small as a broomstick held across the solar module may cause
the power output to be significantly reduced. Overcast days may also cut the power output of the module.
- 3. Ensure solar panel is clean and is in direct sunlight. An obstructed/dirty panel will yield poor results
- 4. Check input voltage at controller from solar panel (~18V-20V based on solar panel rating and sun conditions)
- 5. Use a multimeter to measure the output current of each panel. (Note meter must be fused to 10 amps) It is possible the panel outputs current but not voltage.
- 6. Check wiring from solar panel to controller and controller to the batteries
- 7. Check for any fuse in-line in the system
- 8. Perform a hard reset on device. Disconnect all four wires from back of device and let sit for 15 minutes - reconnect all four wires and recheck