Specialty Concepts SC1 - Manual (Page 15)

T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G : S C 1
P R O B L E M D E S C R I P T I O N S
BATTERY UNDER CHARGED
CONTROLLER NOT CHARGING AT ALL, ALWAYS IN FLOAT MODE ("CHARGE MODE"
LIGHT OFF)
Check to see that the controller is receiving voltage (at least about nominal system voltage)
from the battery and the solar panels. If it is, momentarily disconnect the panels, using an
solar panel disconnect switch if available, then reconnect. The controller should reset into
the full charge mode ("CHARGE MODE" light on). If it does not reset, the controller may
be defective.
See General Note #8 above. A damaged sensor or wire will cause the controller to
malfunction.
CONTROLLER STOPS CHARGING TOO SOON, AT TOO LOW A VOLTAGE
See General Note #6 above: Try to monitor the voltage at the "BATTERY VOLTAGE SENSE"
terminals when the controller actually switches. Most often, when a controller is
operational, it is switching the correct voltage. If the battery is not reaching the charge
termination set-point voltage before the controller switches, it is usually an error in the
voltage that the controller is sensing, not a controller failure.
See General Notes #12 and #14 above: A poor connection between the battery and the
controller results in a voltage drop during charging periods (larger drop for higher current)
that disappears when charging stops. This voltage drop results in a higher voltage being
sensed at the controller than is actually at the battery.
CONTROLLER CLICKS AND CHATTERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE MORNING AND EVENING
See General Notes #12 and #14 above: Check the connection to the battery. A poor
connection at the battery will cause the relay to chatter under low light conditions and the
controller to remain in float mode during full sun.
CONTROLLER NOT CHARGING, "CHARGING" LIGHT DIM, BATTERY VOLTAGE VERY LOW
See LVD trouble shooting section (“LOAD DISCONNECT CIRCUIT NOT OPERATING
CORRECTLY”) . If the LVD circuit is not operating, the battery can be discharged to a very
low voltage. If the battery is extremely low, there might not be enough voltage to operate
the controller. The charging relay requires a minimum operating voltage to engage and
allow charging. If the battery is down to 9 volts or lower on a 12 volt system, (17 on a 24
volt) connect the battery directly to the array (or use an auxiliary charging source) until
sufficient charging has occurred to increase the voltage. Note: Battery life depends on the
number, time and the depth of the discharges. Severe battery damage can result when
batteries are deeply discharged and not recharged immediately.
"CHARGE MODE" LIGHT ON AT NIGHT
Review the "REVERSE CURRENT PROTECTION" and "CONNECTION SEQUENCE"
sections of this manual. The reverse leakage timer may cause the "CHARGE MODE" light