Reinforcements
Got up this morning and checked that our new friend Solar, was happy and indeed he was. With the rise of the sun, the little smile had come to his face (on the controller) and he was gaily charging the batteries away.
In need of further feel good I checked again a couple of hours later and he had stopped.
I argued that he was behaving normally in not overcharging the batteries but eventually this did not make sense.
On testing the output it was not right 😞. Voltage direct from the panel varying from 0 to 18v depending on position, degree of flexing the panel and which way the wind blows.
Having messed about with it for several hours I have come to the conclusion it is FUBAR.
I cannot work out what the issue is - overheating is a known problem but I am surprised it is that as that might cause a drop in performance not complete failure. It was working fine so it is unlikely there has been mechanical damage in transit or handling. However I am where I am. I will try to source one tomorrow in the town but I will probably need to order another and have it delivered to Cleopatra to collect next time we are passing.
Our son Chris and partner Ebba have joined us today on the way home from a trip to the Lebanon. They are very welcome additions to the crew, especially for their company as opposed to their nautical input.
Our intended journey is to drift South visiting various previously surveyed spots to deliver them to Patras from where they will continue their Odyssey via ferry and train back to the UK.
We will then head North to Corfu to collect our next crew a couple of weeks later. Hopefully we can pick up the new solar panel on the way.
In need of further feel good I checked again a couple of hours later and he had stopped.
I argued that he was behaving normally in not overcharging the batteries but eventually this did not make sense.
On testing the output it was not right 😞. Voltage direct from the panel varying from 0 to 18v depending on position, degree of flexing the panel and which way the wind blows.
Having messed about with it for several hours I have come to the conclusion it is FUBAR.
I cannot work out what the issue is - overheating is a known problem but I am surprised it is that as that might cause a drop in performance not complete failure. It was working fine so it is unlikely there has been mechanical damage in transit or handling. However I am where I am. I will try to source one tomorrow in the town but I will probably need to order another and have it delivered to Cleopatra to collect next time we are passing.
Our son Chris and partner Ebba have joined us today on the way home from a trip to the Lebanon. They are very welcome additions to the crew, especially for their company as opposed to their nautical input.
Our intended journey is to drift South visiting various previously surveyed spots to deliver them to Patras from where they will continue their Odyssey via ferry and train back to the UK.
We will then head North to Corfu to collect our next crew a couple of weeks later. Hopefully we can pick up the new solar panel on the way.
Love to Chris and Ebba! Hope that they enjoy their time aboard! X
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need a voltage regulator Colin, will give it some thought relatively easy to do
ReplyDeleteRoss,
DeleteI have a dedicated regulator in circuit which i think is fine. The problem is lack of volts out of the PV panel.
I can't think of anything other than internal wiring breaks or cell failures.
I think I will have to get another but doubt you could get one in your hold baggage.
Cheers
Colin