Installation and user manual

SES Flexcharge USA
1217 State St., Charlevoix MI, 49720
Ph: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Page 7
sSCLC Manual.doc
Troubleshooting Guide
Charge Section
Charge LED does not
illuminate while the battery is
being charged.
(Note: Using the Blue wire
and Charging indicator is
optional for always ON
models. It is required for
dusk to dawn equipped
models.)
Check the fuse both visually and with an Ohm meter.
Verify the blue wire is connected as shown in the installation diagram.
Verify the solar panels are generating at least the same voltage as the battery (Measure Blue
wire to GND and Red wire to GND).
Check Solar panel negative wire connections. Check Controller black wire connections.
If all the above do not fix the problem the indicator may have failed.
Red LED indicator is ON
when it seams the battery
should be charging.
(Voltages are different with
temperature compensation
feature)
The Red LED will turn ON when the battery voltage has reached its peak voltage of 14.2V (28.4V
for 24V systems). It will stay ON until the battery voltage falls to about 13.7V (27.4V for 24V
systems).
If the battery is being charged by a second charging source which holds the battery voltage
above 13.7V (27.4V) after reaching 14.2V (28.4V) the controller will stop PV charging and
display the RED indicator.
Battery voltage overshoots
during charging.
If the duration is less than 2 seconds this is normal. (See the “Energy State Taper Charge”
graph, micro-equalization).
If the battery voltage is held at 14.4V (28.8V) for more than 10 sec. The controller may have
failed. You may call Flexcharge or return the unit for evaluation.
Charge voltage on the
Orange wire measures the
same as the battery voltage
on the Red wire
This is normal when the Green charge light is ON. It should be about 0.5V less with the Green
and Red light OFF
When the RED charge indicator is ON and the PV panels are in sunlight, the PV voltage will go
to its open circuit voltage of 18V to 22V (36V to 44V for 24V systems)
System will not charge when
battery voltage is below 5V.
The controller requires 5V minimum to operate its circuitry. Jumper the orange and Red wire
together until the battery is charged up to at least 7V. You may allow it to charge as high as 14V
in this configuration. Then put the wiring back to normal. Determine what load drained the
battery. System monitoring equipment (i.e. volt meters, Amp hour meters are notorious for this).
Battery is not getting to its
full charge voltage of 14.2V
before the controller starts
regulating.
Check the Red and Black wire connections and the fuse between the controller and the battery.
A high resistance (Bad) connection in these wires will cause this. Solder all wire to wire
connections
If you installed wire smaller than 12AWG or you mounted the controller more than 10 feet from
the battery. Increase the Wire Gauge.
Load Section
Model with Dusk to Dawn
Load control does not come
on at dusk
Verify the Blue wire is connected to the solar panel side of the PV blocking diode on ONLY ONE
of the PV panels. A PV blocking diode MUST BE INSTALLED on the panel that will be used for
light sensing. An optional Photo cell light sensor is available for people who do not wish to install
PV blocking diodes. See the Flexcharge Night Watchman dusk to dawn switch
Check the Blocking diode at the solar panel.
Reminder; ALL PV manufacturers recommend that Blocking diodes be installed on each PV
panel’s positive wire. Diodes that come in most panels are by-pass diodes not blocking diodes.
Load disconnect activates
(Red LED ON) when the
battery should have a good
charge level.
Check the Red and Black wire connections and the fuse between the controller and the battery.
A high resistance (Bad) connection in these wires will cause this.
You may have a weak cell in the battery bank. Check the specific gravity of battery’s cells.
If you installed wire smaller than 12AWG or you mounted the controller more than 12 feet from
the battery. Increase the Wire Gauge.
Green Load Indicator is ON
However Load is not ON
The power for the load indicator is taken from the Yellow wire, therefore check the wiring
between the load and the controller, and check the load.