"Matt Colie" wrote in message
...
Jim,

Your initial assumtions should be correct.
But- - -
You have to be a more specific in your request for confirmation.

Mutimeters have many functions and scales, even if it is autoscaling it
still may have 14 functions.

If you are trying to measure output voltage with the panel in sunlight,
you may see nothing because the charge controller may need the attached
battery to supply the reference voltage for it to "switch on".

If you are measuring continuity or resistance, then you should get nothing
in the reverse direction (which in this case is red to red) but you will
at least see the blocking diode forward bias in the forward mode.

Is that a help??

Matt Colie

James wrote:
We acquired a flexible Uni-solar 32W panel. There are two wires leads a
red one and a black one. Which is (+) and which is (-)? I was thinking
that Red was (+) but I'm not receiving any readings through the charge
controller. When I reverse the leads I get a reading on my multi-meter.
Thanks, Jim


Disconnect the controller. In the sun ( don't shade the panel ) you should
be able to measure open circuit panel voltage of around 18 to 20 volts. If
you short out the panel using your amp meter you should get around 2 amps
or. If your controller is connected to a battery that needs charging and
your panel is in sunlight you should be able to measure somewhere around 1
amp of charging current. If your controller has ever been connected to the
battery with the polarity reversed it is probably bad.