Help please - first use of panel with rv results in smoke from inverter

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  • scrptdr
    Junior Member
    • Apr 2019
    • 10

    Help please - first use of panel with rv results in smoke from inverter

    So, I bought a Dokio 100watt folding suitcase type panel with a built in 10 amp controller to charge my rv deep cycle battery. It worked fine until I attached a sae extension cord (to have more options positioning panel as run provided was short) at which point I got smoke coming from the inverter. This seems like reversed polarity, how did my extension cord cause this? Right now I am charging the battery with original cable (w/o extension cord) but not sure if it is working right, though it seems to be charging the battery. I am a total newb at this (obviously). Ordered same exact controller since they're cheap and will probably replace it, but I'd like to know what I did wrong so I don't repeat it. Thanks for any input.
  • sdold
    Moderator
    • Jun 2014
    • 1430

    #2
    That does sound like the polarity was reversed. If you don't have a multimeter, I suggest getting one so that you can check the cable polarity next time before making the connection, and so that you can measure things like the voltage on your battery to see if it's charging. You can also test the panel open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current (if the meter can read up to 10A, your panel will probably give you around 5A).
    Last edited by sdold; 08-11-2019, 12:08 AM.

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    • littleharbor
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jan 2016
      • 1998

      #3
      Is the inverter connected directly to the battery? When did you see smoke? Did you possibly remove and reconnect the inverter with reversed polarity?
      2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024

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      • scrptdr
        Junior Member
        • Apr 2019
        • 10

        #4
        The smoke appeared after I put on the extension cord. The Rv's onboard inverter/charger is/was connected correctly, but was not plugged in at the time. I have to check if for some reason the cord reverses polarity.

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        • scrptdr
          Junior Member
          • Apr 2019
          • 10

          #5
          so the extension cord does reverse polarity, is it just this one or do they all do that? I would suggest being careful using one to all out there. The battery (which was unfortunately almost completely discharged (that's a a whole 'nother genius story), now reads 92% when hooked up to panel, been charging in good sun for two days. Panel says "3.1v"... is that a normal reading in full sun for a 100 watt panel? The little usb things don't work to charge my phone... that's where the smoke came out of. Just wondering if this controller is still ok.

          Comment

          • Mike90250
            Moderator
            • May 2009
            • 16020

            #6
            Panel in full sun should be about 18.0V
            Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
            || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
            || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

            solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
            gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

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            • PNjunction
              Solar Fanatic
              • Jul 2012
              • 2179

              #7
              Don't feel bad - I got burned by that exact same scenario when I was first starting out.

              Unfortunately, there is no standard with SAE connectors, so manufacturers are free to wire them up just so they work with their own gear. What's infuriating is that two or three manufacturers will wire the same way, yet a third one wont. OR, I have seen them "fix" the polarity problem by purposely wiring the panel in the wrong polarity in the first place as a total kludge.

              SAE connectors in solar are also a total no-no. They are frequently high-resitance due to poor contacts, and/or high-resistance from corrosion over time.

              I recommend using Anderson power-pole connectors for these little panel jobs. If you don't want to make the cables and connectors yourself, they also sell them in pre-built cable configurations.

              Unfortunately, you may have smoked some diodes in the panel. In your folding panel, you may see two or more junction boxes on the backs of the panel. Open them up and inspect for burnt / melted wiring, and more likely, blown bypass diodes. Replace them once you identify the diode make and spec. You may need help from the manufacturer in this.

              And yes, invest in a good multimeter so you can spot polarity mistakes, meaure voltages, check diodes and the like. You may want to chalk this up to a red-flag if the folding panel manufacturer was using sae-connector wiring - which typifies ultra-cheap products.

              Comment

              • BoloMKXXVIII
                Member
                • Jun 2018
                • 51

                #8
                Originally posted by PNjunction

                Unfortunately, you may have smoked some diodes in the panel. In your folding panel, you may see two or more junction boxes on the backs of the panel. Open them up and inspect for burnt / melted wiring, and more likely, blown bypass diodes. Replace them once you identify the diode make and spec. You may need help from the manufacturer in this.
                Sending the panel back for (non-warranty) repair would be expensive (labor, parts, shipping x2). The OP will most likely need help from someone who knows their way around electronics. If he does not own a meter he most likely will not know how to replace diodes. Best bet is to find someone who can diagnose/fix the problem locally. The cost might be more than the folding panel is worth. The parts are cheap, labor is not.

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