Low Voltage Light

[Keith Blouch]

Does anyone know why the low volt light on my hf charge controller would be on?

The volt meter shows 13.2 volts when hooked up to my battery at night. Also with cloudy conditions today unhooked from the battery the volt meter was showing between 13-14 volts. Also none of the output jacks are working either.

I did just hook up 40 ' of ufb 12/2 wire to between the panels and controller, but when I checked with my multimeter I was gettng almost the same volt output at the junction of the new wire as the controller was recieving 40' away.

Anyone have any idea what I may have done?
Thankz, Keith

[Dale Marshall]

If its the harbor Freight controller, it's probably fried.

[John J.]

Well you could try hooking up another battery to the controller but volt meters don't lie, chances are the controller will need to be replaced. HF has the 7 amp deal, nothing fancy but cheap enough and I can tell you it works.

[Keith Blouch]

Thanks for your help guys. It is
still in 90 day warranty period, so they should replace it
Keith I

[Big Moe]

Hello,

 

Just asking the obvious question... did you check the fuse on the back?

 

Moe

[Keith Blouch]

Yea, after I posted the question, that crossed my mind.
But, the fuse is Ok.
It seems like others have problems with these too.
Hopefully they will replace it at the store.
I went for the $20 1 year replacement plan.
It was worth it this time.

[Tim Personius]

Keith...how many panels are you running in your system? If more than the 3 with the kit then you also will want to upgrade that wire to a 10 or even better an 8 AWG wire for that 40' run.

[Keith Blouch]

I am only running 3 panels. Can the #12 wire handle the 3 panels? Really the distance is about 35 ft.
Thanks, keith

[Dale Marshall]

For 3 panels at the distance, It should be fine. Your not going to get a-lot of losses.

[Keith Blouch]

I got a new warranty replacement charge controller today at Harbor Freight and i'm back up and running.
Keith