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James James is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Aug 2006
Posts: 65
Default Solar Panel Help

Matt Colie wrote:

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


Thanks. You pointed me in the right direction. Jim

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