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Post by topher2880 on Aug 14, 2019 4:25:44 GMT -8
Hi,
I wanted to contact customer support, but says to post here.
Ive had a SunAirPlus for some time, and last week got a SunControl to use with the SkyWeather kit. Im using a 6v 1000mA solar panel with the 10W zener that I received before I received the board (It came in 2 shipments due to backorder)
Today, The battery charged, as with other days, but the kit went offline. I went out to check it as I could not SSH into it to reboot (if that was the error) and noticed that the big (6R8) inductor?? was extremely hot to touch.
Solar input was good, I assume charging, but all output is now dead via battery, solar, or usb and the coil heats up to an excessive heat within a short time.
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Post by lbendlin on Aug 14, 2019 13:10:15 GMT -8
The Zener should have prevented the VOC spike from frying the board. Where did you connect the Zener?
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Post by SDL on Aug 14, 2019 13:11:35 GMT -8
I have the same question. Can you show us the wiring?
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 14, 2019 16:55:16 GMT -8
its connected at the back of the panel,hanging lower than the panel, in the air to allow it to air-cool
positive to positive, negative to negative
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Post by SDL on Aug 15, 2019 11:10:42 GMT -8
Take a quick picture so we can verify the wiring!
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 15, 2019 16:02:53 GMT -8
photo Attachments:
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Post by SDL on Aug 18, 2019 12:56:01 GMT -8
That looks correct. And you verified that those wires are actually connected up to the solar panel +/- and not disconnected somewhere else?
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 18, 2019 17:21:39 GMT -8
Yes, been running on my older (briefly retired) SunAirPlus since SunControl stopped without issue. Plus ive never known anyone to use black as positive and red as negative - though im sure some have - but not I
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Post by SDL on Aug 18, 2019 18:20:11 GMT -8
What I'm asking you are those wires really connected? Measure the voltage across them and make sure they haven't come loose somewhere else. Would explain the death of SunControl.
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 18, 2019 18:23:42 GMT -8
yes they are
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Post by SDL on Aug 19, 2019 7:32:18 GMT -8
That's a first then. We have been running systems for months with the Zener in the system with not problem. I wonder if it is just a random failure?
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 19, 2019 18:28:40 GMT -8
Well, ive had the SunAirPlus since... uhhh. maybe 2016? and im running it again now since the SunControl died. I only had it for a couple of days before the failure. I really dont know. The SunAirPlus has 828mA @ 5.19v according to Blynk at time of typing this. I really dont know. All I did was switch the board out after the failure and the SA+ has been happily running since.
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Post by SDL on Aug 20, 2019 5:48:40 GMT -8
Topher,
I have to put this down to a random failure then. Like I said, our zener system has been running for years. I just took it down to put up the latest version of SolarMAX.
BP
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Post by topher2880 on Aug 21, 2019 4:32:46 GMT -8
with the exception of adding a heatsink to it, im very happy how it has been performing and will grab a couple of spares for future projeects I think  Shall I contact customer support or someone regarding the board? Whats your thoughts on this?
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Post by SDL on Aug 21, 2019 12:53:48 GMT -8
I don't think this is a warrantee issue. You've had this SunControl board for how long? Please tell me.
BP
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