There are several reasons why a DC2DC may not be charging from solar. You can work your way through the following list to isolate and fix the problem.
The panels are not receiving enough sunlight
Solar panels must receive direct sunlight to function properly. Your panels will not produce power at their full potential if they are obstructed by clouds, shadows, or dirt. The angle of solar panels also plays a large role in power output. More information on solar panel placement and mounting can be found here.
The DC2DC isn't receiving unregulated solar power
The DC2DC includes a built in MPPT solar regulator and needs to be receiving unregulated power directly from your solar panels This means that you will be connecting your panels directly to the solar input terminals of the DC2DC without them passing through another solar regulator/controller first.
The Vehicle is Running
The DC2DC has the ability to charge from either an alternator linked to a vehicle start battery or from solar power using the built in MPPT Solar Controller. It cannot charge from both sources simultaneously and will automatically switch between the two as necessary. Therefore, if your DC2DC is connected to both solar and vehicle inputs while the vehicle is running, the solar will not be charging until the vehicle is shut off. Please note that the automatic switching between these sources may take a couple minutes as the DC2DC waits for the vehicle start battery voltage to drop. If you wish to charge from solar panels and the vehicle simultaneously (e.g. in a roof mounted panel situation), you will need to purchase a dedicated solar controller for your panels.
Output Battery is Full
One of the most common reasons for the DC2DC not to be charging at full capacity is that the auxiliary battery is full or nearly full. As the end of the charging cycle approaches, the DC2DC will begin to lower the amount of current being put into the battery and will stop charging completely once the battery is full. This is normal and protects the battery from being overcharged. Check your battery monitor or the Enerdrive App (for B-TEC Batteries) to see if your battery is full.
Auxiliary Battery is Flat
The DC2DC will only output current if it able to detect an auxiliary battery. If your auxiliary battery has gone flat, the DC2DC will be unable to recognise it and therefore will not charge it. Check your battery with a multimeter to see if it has gone flat.
If your auxiliary battery voltage is lower than 7V, the DC2DC Charger will not begin charging process.
If you have a B-TEC or eLITE battery that has gone flat, use the flat battery reset guide found here.
If you have a Pro Series Battery that has gone flat, please contact Enerdrive support.
If you have any other type of battery that has gone flat, a guide on charging flat batteries can be found here.
Connection fault
Another common reason for the DC2DC to stop charging is a loose connection or blown fuse/circuit breaker. Check the connections from your inputs (vehicle start battery and solar) as well as the connection from your DC2DC to your auxiliary battery. Confirm that the cables have been run correctly and that all connections are tight without any gaps or washers between them. If any of your connections have been made through Anderson plugs, confirm that the pins are seated properly in the correct place and that the plugs have made a solid connection. More information about cable connections can be found here.
Solar Panels Plugged into Wrong Input
If you are using Anderson plugs to connect your DC2DC to your vehicle start battery and solar panels, ensure that you have them connected to the correct inputs. Plugging a solar panel into the vehicle input terminal of your DC2DC will not work because the panel voltage will be outside the range of alternator input voltage.
For additional information about DC2DC troubleshooting, check out the DC2DC Fault Finding support video here.
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