Blue Sky Solar Boost 3000i - Manual (Page 14)

Blue Sky Energy – Solar Boost 3000i
13
SYMPTOM PROBABLE CAUSE ITEMS TO EXAMINE OR CORRECT
Unit will not stay in a
Charge ON state. Low and changing sun intensity.
PV- connected to BAT- external to
controller. Normal operation.
PV- & BAT- must be separate for proper operation. External connection prevents
proper operation of current measurement system.
Charge status
indicator ON but no
output charge
current. Battery voltage greater than present
charge voltage setpoint.
Battery voltage too low.
Poor connection to the battery.
PV- connected to BAT- external to
controller. Normal operation. Output is off due to high battery voltage which may be caused by
other charging systems, or immediately following a switch to Float before battery
voltage dropped and settled.
Battery voltage must be at least 9 volts for the 3000i to operate.
Voltage present on the 3000I’s battery terminals must be the same as actual battery
voltage within a few 10ths. Examine connections and fuse & fuse holder.
PV- & BAT- must be separate for proper operation. External connection prevents
proper operation of current measurement system.
Charge OFF at high
ambient temperature. System temporarily shuts down due to
high internal temperature. Normal operation, improve ventilation or reduce PV power.
Charge current is
lower than expected. Battery is highly charged.
User expectations too high.
Worn out or very dissimilar PV
modules
Low sun intensity
PV- connected to BAT- external to
controller.
Normal operation. Current is intentionally reduced in Absorption & Float to control
battery voltage at setpoint. Maximum available charge current will only be seen when
the 3000i is in Bulk.
Even though the PV’s may be in full sun, clean, and with zero shading it is common to
only see about 75 – 80% of total PV I
MP
. Note that the smallest amount of shade can
cause a large reduction in charge current.
Replace, or use as is.
Atmospheric haze, PV’s dirty or shaded, sun low on horizon, etc.
PV- & BAT- must be separate for proper operation. External connection prevents
proper operation of current measurement system.
MPPT Current boost
is less than expected
PV maximum power voltage (V
MP
) is
near battery voltage, leaving little extra
power to be extracted
PV’s hot
Worn out or dissimilar PV modules
PV’s with low V
MP
. PV’s with V
MP
≥ 17V work best, PV’s with <36 cells tend to work
poorly.
Excessive PV wiring voltage drop due to undersize wiring, poor connections etc.
Battery is nearly charged and battery voltage is high. Output during MPPT operation is
“constant power” such that higher battery voltage reduces charge current increase.
V
MP
and available power decrease with increasing PV cell temperature. Cooler PV’s
will produce greater boost. It is normal for % increase to drop or even go to zero as PV
temperature rises.
Replace, use as is, or use different controller for different PV modules.
System appears to
operate OK, but will
not switch between
Bulk, Absorption &
Float.
Not set for 3-stage charge.
Will not switch out of Bulk.
Will not switch from Absorption to
Float.
Confirm Float voltage setpoint is not set to OFF.
Available net charge current cannot bring battery voltage up to the present charge
voltage setpoint. Battery state of charge may be too low, battery too large, PV power
too low, and/or loads too high. PV’s should produce at least 3 amps per 100 amp-
hours of battery –and– daily PV amp-hours produced must be greater than daily load
amp-hours consumed.
Battery not fully charged. Unit will not switch to Float until 3000i remains in Absorption
continuously for the Absorption Charge Time period.
Periodic load pulls battery voltage low causing 3000i to re-enter Bulk resetting the
Absorption Charge Timer. Consider using a shorter Absorption Charge Time setting.
Momentary decrease in PV power allows battery voltage to drop causing 3000i to re-
enter Bulk resetting the Absorption Charge Timer.
Temperature
compensation of
charge voltage does
do not work. Temperature sensor missing.
Wrong temperature sensor.
Temperature sensor failed or installed
reverse polarity.
Install battery temperature sensor BSE p/n 930-0022-20.
Use only BSE battery temperature sensor p/n 930-0022-20.
If sensor is open, short, reverse polarity or missing 3000i will operate as if battery
temperature is 25
°C. Proper sensor voltage when excited by the 3000i will read
approximately 2.98V at 25 °C, changing at +10mV/°C.