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I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362759]

Wed, 10 March 2021 09:12

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

Karma: 7

Senior Member

I broke this out of the too long thread for the convenience of the readers.
blur911 wrote on Tue, 09 March 2021 19:41

I don't think the charge controller is working. Is any of this stock?

Burl,

The short answer is that none of that looks OE.

A charge controller by convention is part of a solar energy system. What I see there looks more like a newer converter/charger than was typical for GMC era.

The box on the right looks to be an automatic transfer switch that will connect the generator when it is running or the shore power when it is available, but not to both ever.

A short test for the charger is to measure the terminal at the house bank and unplug it. Did the bank voltage drop? Plug it back in... Did the banks voltage come up? If those were not true, something is probably wrong with that.

Matt

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362761 is a reply to message #362759]

Wed, 10 March 2021 10:59

JohnL455

Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL

Karma: 12

Senior Member

If you are on shore power, meter or plug an appliance into the receptacle the converter is plugged into to test for 125VAC. Could be that transfer switch is not transferring.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362768 is a reply to message #362759]

Wed, 10 March 2021 16:49

blur911

Messages: 166
Registered: December 2020
Location: Kingston, Ontario

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Thanks for breaking up the thread, I forget that many are on email and it gets messy.

I'm on shore power.

Have verified, converter/charger is kaput. No change in battery voltage, it doesn't turn on when plugged in. Looks like some water damage in the past.

Also found out my nice CTek battery charger is kaput. It would fault out after a few minutes of trying to charge and I thought my batteries were toast, but looks like they're ok.. (big whew)
Have another battery charger connected to charge them now, good thing I have 3 of everything.

https://i.postimg.cc/7P9HzWSJ/IMG-20210310-170040338.jpg

Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, Sheridan reno, don't know original model but we call her Roxie

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362769 is a reply to message #362759]

Wed, 10 March 2021 16:54

blur911

Messages: 166
Registered: December 2020
Location: Kingston, Ontario

Karma: 4

Senior Member

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm464qvtQeM

I think the battery disconnect might be haunted.

Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, Sheridan reno, don't know original model but we call her Roxie

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362780 is a reply to message #362769]

Fri, 12 March 2021 15:53

Melbo

Messages: 144
Registered: August 2018
Location: Albuquerque NM

Karma: 0

Senior Member

Just a simple question I am sure you already probably checked.

Did you check the fuses on the converter.

Melbo

Albuquerque NM Bus Conversion 1978 MCI 1973 GMC

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362789 is a reply to message #362780]

Sat, 13 March 2021 11:21

blur911

Messages: 166
Registered: December 2020
Location: Kingston, Ontario

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Melbo wrote on Fri, 12 March 2021 15:53

Just a simple question I am sure you already probably checked.

Did you check the fuses on the converter.

Melbo

I haven't found any fuses! Also haven't found the rear battery junction, it seems to be under a cabinet bottom. I think I'll add a breaker after the new converter/charger, I see in the prints there was originally a 60amp breaker between it and the fuse panel, but if it's still there, it's hidden.
I'm going to remount everything, there was water damage to the plywood. I'd also like to add a battery disconnect switch outside at the rear batteries.

Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, Sheridan reno, don't know original model but we call her Roxie

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Re: I don't think the charge controller is working [message #362933 is a reply to message #362759]

Sun, 21 March 2021 20:27

blur911

Messages: 166
Registered: December 2020
Location: Kingston, Ontario

Karma: 4

Senior Member

Things are looking better now. I still want to change that red output wire as it's a few inches too short for my liking, but I'm still shopping for some #6 wire and I had that piece already.
Anyhow, it's all working now.

https://i.postimg.cc/rwHfNtt6/IMG-20210321-183019893.jpg

I also added an ON/OFF switch on the 120vac in and a 50amp breaker on the output. It's kind of hidden right now, but I'm going to put a hinge on the shelf for easy access, or cut more holes in the face once I get more wire and the ok from my wife. I think it's ok where it is though, we'll see.
I will eventually be mounting the display panel for the charger beside the breaker panels.

https://i.postimg.cc/s2Zw6DpM/IMG-20210321-183225760.jpg

Burl Vibert
Kingston, Ontario
1976 GMC 26 foot, Sheridan reno, don't know original model but we call her Roxie

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