How To Test Solar Panel Regulator

Set the multimeter to 10 amps.

How to test solar panel regulator.

The blue line also shows power output in watts vertical axis right. Solar panel open circuit voltage i e. Then touch the multi meter s black negative lead to your solar panel s negative wire. You will want to ensure that you place the positive to positive and negative to negative when attaching your multimeter to the connection on the back of your solar panel.

Set the measurements of the multimeter to dc amps. Solar panel voltage controller input controller output and battery voltage. Re connect the solar panel directly to the battery without the regulator. Make sure that the alligator clips are in the right port to find the.

In doing so the battery pulls the solar panel down to its voltage let s take a typical 12 5 volts for the battery voltage. Set the meter to above 200 vcd to ensure you get the most accurate reading possible. Disconnect the positive cable between the battery and the panel. Some exceptions may apply based on panel type.

Open circuit voltage can vary depending on your solar panel but the readings we are usually looking for are in the range of 15 to 23v. Touch the multi meter s red positive lead to your solar panel s positive wire. Disconnect the positive cable that is. The diagram shows a typical iv curve for a 60w solar panel which plots the behaviour of its voltage horizontal axis and current vertical axis left.

I recorded current three times during testing and calculated the average. Measure operating current as described above. To ensure that you don t blow your device s fuse set the maximum amperage sensitivity to well above your expected reading. Voltage drops in the negative line.

To test the regulator. Testing solar panels for volts to test solar panel voltage output put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the volts setting and. Panel disconnected from the controller. Voltage drops in the positive line.

Testing the voltage simply touch the solar panel leads with the multi meter probes matching their corresponding polarity red to red black to black. That being done connect the solar panel to the controller and also the controller to the solar batteries. To test solar panel amperage output put your solar panel in direct sunlight set your multi meter to the dc amps setting.