Campbell Scientific CR3000 Micrologger User Manual
Page 441
Section 10. Troubleshooting
441
Charging Regulator with Solar-Panel Test
Disconnect any wires attached to the 12V and G (ground) terminals on the PS100 or CH100 charging regulator. Unplug any batteries. Connect the solar panel to the two
CHG terminals. Polarity of inputs does not matter. Only the solar panel should be connected. Set the charging-regulator power switch to OFF.
NOTE
This test assumes the solar panel has an unregulated output.
Solar Panel Test
Set a voltmeter to measure DC voltage. Measure solar panel output
across the two solar-panel leads by placing a voltmeter lead on one
CHG terminal, and the other lead on the other CHG terminal. Is the
output 17 to 22 Vdc?
No
Remove the solar-panel leads from the
charging circuit. Measure solar-panel
output across the two leads. Is the
output > 0 Vdc?
No
The solar panel is damaged
and should be repaired or
replaced.
Yes
Yes
Is the voltage ≥ 17 Vdc?
No
There may not be enough
sunlight to perform the test,
or the solar panel is
damaged.
Yes
Yes
Reconnect the power source
(transformer / solar panel) to the CHG
terminals on the charging regulator.
Measure the voltage between the two
CHG terminals. Is the voltage ≥ 17 Vdc
/ Vac?
No
5-kΩ Load Test
1) Place a 5-kΩ resistor between a 12V terminal and a G (ground)
terminal on the charging regulator.
2) Switch the power switch to ON.
3) Measure the DC voltage across the resistor.
Is the measured voltage 13.3 to 14.1 V?
No
Measure the voltage between the two
pins in a battery-connection receptacle.
Is the voltage 10.0 to 15.5 Vdc?
No
Yes
Yes
See Adjusting Charging Voltage
(p.
to calibrate the charging regulator,
or return the charging regulator to
Campbell Scientific for calibration.
50-Ω Load Test
1) Switch the power switch to
OFF
.
2) Disconnect the power source (transformer / solar panel).
3) Remove the 5-kΩ resistor
4) Place a 50-Ω, 1-Watt resistor between a
12V
terminal and a
G
(ground) terminal on the charging regulator.
5) Reconnect the power source and then switch the power switch to
ON
.
7) Measure the voltage across the ends of the resistor.
Is the voltage 13.0 to 14.0 Vdc (13.3 if circuit just adjusted)?
8) Switch the power switch to
OFF
.
NOTE
The resistor will get HOT in just a few seconds. After
measuring the voltage, switch the power switch to
OFF
and allow
the resistor to cool before removing it.
No
With the charging regulator still under
load, measure the voltage between the
two CHG terminals. Is the voltage >
15.5 Vdc?
Yes
Obtain Repair
Authorization
The charging regulator is
damaged and should be
repaired or replaced.
Yes
No
Test Completed
The charger is functioning
properly. Remove the 50-Ω
resistor.
There may not be enough sunlight to
perform the test.