Solar question

Just a note that I didn't see mentioned specifically....DO NOT try to measure amperage without a load in the circuit. To do so is essentially shorting the output, damaging who-knows-what along the way.

It is ok, however to measure voltage without a load.

@Cruisin Sloth...Sears is still in business? They closed a bunch of their stores here...

 

Techsar , Where is Here ?
We have them in PNW , but in BC they are useless to a tool section worse than wally-world

I do a amp reading on each solar panel before I install them , Changing a dud can take days of work after the fact
I use my fluke big meter to do this because of the 15Amp circuit & do a dead short from the panel to the meter , all hooked up in a darker area , & then open the doors to point the panel at the sun @ noon should get me real close the the 8 amps from the 300+ watt panel , if not something is wrong .


SLOTH

 

SE Louisiana...they had some fantastic closeout deals when they shut down...$30 shirts for $2, set of cobalt twist drills (1/8 thru 1/4") for $25, for example. Just checked and there are a few around, but now they are close to an hour drive.

 

Sears satellite stores , yes many up here in WA also closed , but for the main center towns /citys the main shopping malls stores are still working.
Since Im into solar in a big way & this is one of my trades , a DC amp clamp for 60 beans is good.

Was in SE Louisiana in 2008 , had a great time & was treated to some nice stuff with the Louisiana folks ..

 

I understand that the "X-perts" think Sears will go under in 2015, that will be a sad day, I remember when Monkey Wards went under.

They should never have bought K-Mart.

 

NO drifting , We haven't heard the panel info or the CC type yet as we WOULD need to correctly answer.
As for the sears , Yes I have heard the same as with Target just figured their failure !!!
It's time to make sure I do get all my Craftsman warrantied up to date, and buy stuff that only they sell. for all the craftsman only stuff I have ,band-saw blades . I did buy all the last Ridgid planer blades when they changed the head . I was lucky I have enough for years. Problem when you buy the first of anything , but the price was a giveaway over a general 24" .

 

Yeah Target is one small step above Kmart.

 

Alright let me simplify.

Short circuit amperage from the panels SHOULD be 7.5 Amps. I am getting, at the panel connections on the back of the panel (as well as at the end of the cable run where it connects to the charge controller) 0.5 Amps. I reinstalled my original solar charge controller (old school indicators, not digital) and I see it reading the 0.5 Amps. What is keeping the panels from generating the proper amperage?

I am getting the rated open circuit Voltage (21.5) if not more.

 

Panels (both identical) Kyocera KC120-1 manufactured in 1997.

 

BTW all readings are done with the UNI-T UT 202a Digital clamp multimeter.

 

OK, we're getting closer, short circuit amperage [BOLD]SHOULD BE[/BOLD] 7.5 Amps, which means you haven't really put that meter in-line with the output and measured it? That meter will not read DC Amps with the clamp around jaws. Your controller is only reading .5 Amps because that is all that it is using.

 

I am trending to the array itself.

 

I would also like to say, that contrary to what seems to be POPULAR belief, I know how to use, and read a Multimeter PROPERLY. I am reading SHORT circuit amperage, which is still just increased to .71 amps, and yes the meter is INLINE. I know HOW to use and read it.